June 11, 2008New look rolling out on roanoke.com
The new look of roanoke.com The new design was created after discussions to update the current look of the roanoke.com mast. As we've heard from readers and users, there's a lot of stuff on our site, but it's sometimes not always easy to find. We've added a "Check this out!" box to spotlight new features and additions to the multimedia database. We're hoping that a shift of elements within the new design will also make things easier to find. Late last year, we asked a search engine optimization firm to evaluate our site and recommend ways to improve. We've incorporated some of the firm's findings in the way templates are developed. Those changes are reflected in the new design. Making those changes should improve the search engine results, on our internal site search as well as Google, Yahoo! and other engines. March 24, 2008"Community" lands on the homepage
It was a small change, at first glance -- aesthetic, maybe. One word has replaced two in the tabs, and nothing looks too terribly different at the outset. But spend a minute or two at roanoke.com. Mouse over the tabs at the top of the gateway. See the news updates, the bracket challenge, today's calendar events and our latest Virginia Tech video. Then hover your cursor over the new tab -- the one that used to say "About Roanoke" -- and you'll notice something just a little bit different. "Community," it's called. A word that's been hanging around the newsroom a lot lately. It's making itself comfortable, settling in, drinking all the coffee and forgetting to brew a new pot. Hang out with the community tab for a while, and you'll find news from your area, the latest stories about the place where you live and -- if your address lies within our core coverage area -- even a homepage for your corner of the Roanoke or New River valleys. March 14, 2008Special series on aging debuts
Tommy Rhodes, a 69-year-old Roanoke resident, copes with a form of dementia called neurodegenerative frontal lobe brain disease, which strikes the front of the brain, the hub of intelligent thought. His wife Linda cares for him. For the past several months, photographer Josh Meltzer and reporter Beth Macy have listened to the concerns of area aging experts, health-care providers and caregivers. The first two installments of the occasional series "Age of Uncertainty" will debut in The Roanoke Times on Saturday, March 15. The online portion of the story was posted to roanoke.com on Friday, March 14. You can visit it at http://blogs.roanoke.com/ageofuncertainty/. In addition to the stories in the paper, the site features documentary-style videos of the two subjects, Tommy and Linda Rhodes and the Rev. Bill Wingfield caring for his wife, Kathy. Videos also tell the stories of the local Meals-on-Wheels program and the cost of staying independent at home. November 16, 2007The Roanoke Times on FacebookAre you on Facebook? Of course you are. After all, the social networking site has over 54 million active users, with an average of 250,000 new registrations per day. With numbers like that, we'd be crazy not to have a Roanoke Times presence on Facebook. We're not crazy -- are we? October 24, 2007Data site launches
The Roanoke Times/roanoke.com just launched its new home for search-it-yourself databases about our region and our state -- the first site of its kind by a Virginia newspaper. Other papers, such as the Cincinnati Enquirer, the Indianapolis Star, the Greenville (S.C.) News, and the Asbury Park (N.J.) Press, have fine sites like this that inspired us, and from whom we have, well, borrowed ideas from. August 23, 2007Varsity.roanoke.com debuts
The new varsity.roanoke.com site features scores, stats, schedules, rosters and other high school sports info. Each school in the coverage area has its own page, where users can upload school photos and video. They can also check scores for their team sports, roster info, district standings and upcoming games. Each page also includes a link to the TimesCast Sports: High school edition that runs every Tuesday. On game nights, we'll post scores to the site as soon as we get them. Game capsules will be added later. As the season progresses, users can track stat leaders and talk about their team's progress on the message board. Although the site focuses primarily on football, other sports will be added and featured. August 7, 2007Crossword puzzle now available through Roanoke.Com We're always looking to update site features, from interactive graphics to movie listings. But one of the most recognized staples in the newspaper, the daily crossword puzzle, has always been somewhat old-fashioned. Not anymore. Located on the Entertainment tab on the main index page, as well as the Entertainment index page, are links to Eugene Sheffer's daily crossword puzzle -- in an online, Java applet. You can access the interactive puzzle by clicking here. May 31, 2007A way to honor Dad
A new section of the site honors dads for Father's Day. For June, we're launching a new section of the site called ''Props for Pops.'' Users are encouraged to share their favorite or memorable story of their dad, living or dead. There's no character count, so users can write for as long as they want. There's also the option to post photos of dad to create an impromptu gallery. And unlike most other sections of our site, users don't have to be registered to submit stories and pictures. Finally, users can score points with dad or get a one-up over their siblings by e-mailing and sharing their "pop prop" with others. A handful of online stories and photos will be chosen to run in The Roanoke Times Extra section on Father's Day. Get started at propsforpops.roanoke.com May 25, 2007Coming Sunday: Off the ScaleA new series that's been in the works for several months will debut on Sunday. It's called "Off the Scale" and covers the issue of childhood obesity in southwest Virginia. The first installment follows the story of Shannon Burnette, a student at Patrick Henry High School, who once weighed 430 pounds. Doctors told Shannon that he would die if he didn't lose weight. He lost 150 pounds in 18 months. The package features video interviews with Shannon and several interactive components. Chris OBrion and Seth Gitner came up with the look and feel. There's also a companion blog to solicit comments, stories and ideas for future installments. Get started at offthescale.roanoke.com April 13, 2007Tee it up with golf package
Sportswriter Randy King talks about the best 18 holes in the Roanoke area. Although the weather has indicated otherwise lately, spring has arrived in Southwest Virginia. That means it's time for outdoor sports and activities.The sports department will be featuring a 16-page golf preview guide with the paper's April 15 edition (this Sunday).The centerpiece package is on the best 18 holes in the region, as determined by a group of local golfers and compiled by sportswriter Randy King. February 21, 2007Editor ad goes online
Multimedia Editor Seth Gitner "greets" interested applicants for the editor job that was posted today. Take a look, and if you think you fit the bill, please apply. January 31, 2007Story toolbar gets a redesign
The redesigned story toolbar for roanoke.com features a new look with improved functionality. It's time to dump your browsers' cache again. Yesterday we rolled out our redesigned story toolbar on roanoke.com. The new version has a cleaner, dare I say "Web 2.0," look. It's also better in terms of usability because it doesn't require the user to know what the icons mean -- we previously used a hidden "span" element to reveal the label for each icon -- as the new version tells you up front. The "share story" feature has also changed from a dropdown menu to a hidden unordered list that is revealed when the user clicks the "button." But my favorite aspect of the new toolbar is that it applies the concept of unobtrusive JavaScript. In other words both the print and share features won't appear unless the user has JavaScript enabled for their browser. This is because both rely on JavaScript to work -- it wouldn't make sense for them to be available, and then not work. By redesigning the way the story toolbar looks and functions, we've managed to increase the page-load time slightly and dropped the use of a nasty hack for Internet Explorer 6 users (note: if you haven't upgraded to IE 7, now is a great time). Let us know if you love or hate the redesign by posting a comment on this entry. And as always, bug reporting is appreciated! January 9, 2007On the building The sign emulates the "integrated logo" of The Roanoke Times and roanoke.com, which has appeared in the paper, on the website and all promotional pieces for several years. January 4, 2007New year, new photo page
This has been a desired feature for quite some time and I'm glad we were able to pull it off and post as 2006 ended. Hopefully, the individual portfolios will grow out some. As always, let us know what you think. December 21, 2006Holiday treatsAs we enter the Christmas weekend, I'd like to point out a few packages that will hit the site over the next few days. Once the presents are exchanged, meals eaten and kids put to bed, you may want to check out some of these features. The multimedia feature on Capoeira debuts on Dec. 23. This Afro-Brazilian martial art has gained a small following in the Roanoke area. The package features video, demonstrations and an interactive graphic. Seth Gitner conceived the idea and produced the package. Grant Jedlinsky, one of the print graphic artists, created the drawings for the interactive animation. Marques Harper reported the story. Some of the video was shot in our multimedia studio, but Seth also went to a club meeting at Roanoke College to get some footage. The interactive graphic follows a training session by Alberto Cairo, an assistant professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Cairo visited The Roanoke Times in early November and trained the graphic artists and a few members of the online staff on ways to turn print info-graphics into interactive, online presentations. We've experimented with a few graphics since then, but Capoeira presented the first real chance to try the interactive drawings. November 29, 2006New features for 'share this story' functionFans of the "Share this story" function featured on every story page of roanoke.com now have three new social networks to use: Google Bookmarks, Facebook and Reddit. Each Web site offers unique ways to share content published on our site with friends, family and complete strangers. We've also reworked the functionality for sharing stories with some of the existing social networking sites. Users should now have to fill in less fields than before with some services, Digg being one. If you haven't explored the use of the "Share this story" function, I encourage you to give it a try. All of the social networking sites are free to use, and all offer value for staying informed -- Digg, Newsvine, Reddit, Technorati -- while others can improve productivity -- del.icio.us, Ma.gnolia, Google Bookmarks and My Yahoo! Facebook is, well, just for fun. November 27, 2006Holidays section debutsWe've launched a Holiday page that combines a variety of content from different areas of the site into one (hopefully accessible and easy-to-find) section. The Holiday section features our Christmas Tree guide, holiday-related events from our calendar, a call to submit holiday-themed photos to our yourpix.roanoke.com site and our Google-based holiday lights map. Take a look and let us know if you find it helpful. And if you're lighting up your house for the season, drop us a line to get listed on the map. Happy Holidays to all November 22, 2006New home-page features for roanoke.comTake a look at the home page of roanoke.com, and you'll find three new features prepared just in time for some holiday Web browsing. The old "online exclusives" area has been made even more so with the latest blog entries and comments, as well as a redesigned space for the latest multimedia items. So I suppose these features aren't technically "new," but it feels that way doesn't it? Use the horizontal scroll bar directly below the latest multimedia section to view additional items. Blog entries should flow in dynamically via the wonder of RSS -- subscribe to any of our feeds listed on the RSS index -- and we'll occasionally swap which blogs' comments are displayed. If you've ever wanted to grace the homepage of roanoke.com, just comment on a blog post and you'll get your chance. As always, if you spot any problems with these features please post a comment on this blog, or send me an e-mail. October 31, 2006YourPix photo community back online
The YourPix photo community is located at http://yourpix.roanoke.com The YourPix photo-sharing community is once again live, the result of a partnership with Morris Communications and their Spotted product. Our previous partner was Buzznet. The new YourPix Web site has many features that allow users to better categorize their photos, and share them with others. Some of these features include: user avatars and profiles; photo scrapbooks; friend networks and a photoblog. You will also be able to upload photos taken using your cell phone soon. Being a new feature for roanoke.com, we expect many users to have questions beyond the YourPix help page. In that case, post a comment here or e-mail a member of our online team. And keep those photos coming! September 1, 20062 new sports features debutRoanoke.com has launched two new features targeted specifically at football fanatics, just in time for the kickoff of college football season. The first has actually been out for three weeks (though it's still in beta), and is the first spinoff from the TimesCast Webcast. It's called the Sports TimesCast -- yes, it's such a creative name -- and it features The Roanoke Times sports staff writers Doug Doughty and Randy King. Prior to their video debut, the pair hosted a sports-related podcast last fall the was well received; it was also hilarious. The same style is carried through on this Webcast, so prepare yourself for the antics. The format is similar to the TimesCast, with the familiar bullets and links paired with the video. We've also introduced new features such as tags, contact form and a poll. The second new sports feature is the Fearless Forecasters database. It allows you to pick you favorite college football teams to win from a list to pair against our sports department. Registration with roanoke.com is required, but it's free and gives you access to contests and other promotions. Sadly, the University of Alabama isn't on the list for this weekend, but I'm definitely pitching their game for the next round. Roll Tide! August 3, 2006Land of Opportunity series
In this occasional series, The Roanoke Times explores the local impact of the national debate about immigration. Movable Type's comment functionality is easier to use than a message board and integrates the comments into the story. Notice how the most recent comments are displayed in the upper right area of the page. Because this series will continue to be updated with more comments and articles, using Movable Type made sense. Also, the subheadlines are divided into individual "entries," while each story is its own "category." Along with great stories about immigrants in the Roanoke Valley are soundslides, photo galleries and video. This project was made easier by a tech-savvy photographer and reporter along with careful planning and editing. July 14, 2006Sporting Life photo blog
A photo blog celebrating the sports we play and the competitive spirit that comes with them. July 7, 2006Revised and redesigned RSS feeds
If you haven't used RSS feeds before, or if you're unfamiliar with how they work, check out my past blog post on the topic. If you have used them however, here's a quick explainer about using this new index. Besides the obvious section redesign, you should take special notice of the "reveal/hide" feature underneath each section feed. By clicking on either the plus or minus icons, you can see additional feeds for individual subsections. This is courtesy the Scriptaculous JavaScript library, and the BlindUp and BlindDown effects. This is especially useful if you want to read a particilar columnist, such as Beth Macy, or want to receive only breaking news. Still under development are changes to the RSS feed's XML underbelly. Without getting to technical (since I've done that already), it's the code you see when you click the link for a given feed. Those changes won't be that evident, but will make the feed structurally sound.
June 27, 2006Digg opens to general newsAt long last, the immensely popular social news portal Digg has redesigned (slightly) and opened article submissions for general news, sports and entertainment, including videos. This plays nicely for users of this site to "digg" stories and blog posts they find interesting. Before, the articles had to be mostly technology related to generate interest on Digg. If you aren't familar with the "Share this story" function available with every story and blog post on roanoke.com, read our previous post for an explainer. June 20, 2006Eye on Victory
We launched the first of two Victory Stadium webcams Monday evening. Thanks primarily to IT manager Richard Charles and webmaster Craig Slomczewski for working to get the cams in place. Also thanks to Carilion for the space and network connection. I say webcams because we'll eventually have two in place: one will be stationary; the other (which is live) can be used to pan or zoom in. I'm hoping users will write in with suggestions. The cams will also capture and store photos for time lapse once demolition begins in earnest next week. So stay tuned to Roanoke.com for an updated snapshot. Hit refresh to get the latest image. And drop us a line if you have problems or wish to see something up close. June 19, 2006Introduction to journalism 2.0
The Roanoke Times Minority Journalism Workshop 2006 logo Yesterday began the 23rd Annual Minority Journalism Workshop here at The Roanoke Times. And the first year it has a significant presence on the Web, not to mention a blog. The workshop, for rising high school sophomores, juniors and seniors in the Roanoke and New River valleys, began in 1983, a year after Walter Rugaber became publisher of the newspaper. Its goal is to make more minorities aware of job opportunities at newspapers, and hopefully entice them to think about careers in the business. This year we have 10 students participating in the workshop. Each day, two students are charged with composing a blog entry describing the day's events. Blogging and other online duties are fast becoming integrated into the traditional newspaper operations, and this provides the students a chance to experience some of what the future may and will hold for this part of the media. It also gives parents an idea of what their sons or daughters are up to -- lots of work, I assure you! June 9, 2006'The Wild Life' (and why you should comment)Outdoors staff writer Mark Taylor has a new blog on roanoke.com called The Wild Life . I went fishing with him last week to shoot some video, and we came up with the idea for the blog. And I know it will be a hit. Several years ago when I was a staff photographer, I went hunting with him in Bedford for an assignment. The walls of the hunting cabin were plastered with clips from Taylor's "Outdoors" page from the printed paper. It seems the guy has a following. But I hope his readers comment and expand on his stories. Commenting can make the stories much more interesting. Taylor can blog about a great way to tie a fly, and a reader can expand the story by telling the way they tie a fly. This makes the entry more informative. Hey maybe Taylor can learn something too! June 8, 2006Daily pulse -- now with Flash
The new and improved Daily Pulse poll. Roanoke.com now has a daily poll with more flash. That's because it's in Flash. OK, that was a bad joke but the new poll is far from it. The poll, located in the right sidebar of the gateway, will have a new question every day on both local and national topics. All the user has to do is click their choice and then click vote -- the results will be shown immediately. Our plan is to use the poll results in the next day's paper. Of course, all data resulting from the poll shouldn't be taken as an accurate scientific study of the population. And if you're interested; the backend of the poll is managed by PHP and fed to the .swf via an XML file. All of this was produced courtesy the folks at Flash Relief (and a monetary contribution). June 5, 2006Using 'Gas Tracker' to find the lowest price
Finding the lowest gas prices in Southwest Virginia is now as easy as clicking your mouse. OK, you'll have to click more than once but it's still quite simple. The Gas Tracker database, a new service that launched last week, gives roanoke.com users the ability to search, map and submit gas prices for nearly every gas station in the Roanoke Valley and beyond. If you happen to be on the road and discover a remarkably low price-per-gallon, share this information with other users. This datebase is completely user-driven so the more you update the service, the better it works for everyone. And if you think there's a way for us to improve the Gas Tracker, let us know using the e-mail form or post a comment to this blog. June 1, 2006Related blog posts for AP stories
The AP stories on Roanoke.com now feature a box showing blogs that have posted entries about the story. Bloggers writing and linking to stories from the Associated Press will now get a little more exposure. For a few weeks now, AP stories fed into Roanoke.com have contained a "Related Blogs" box near the bottom of the page that pulls in links to blogs (listed on the blog-search Web site Technorati) that have linked to the article in question. This feature, similar to that done by the Washington Post and New York Times, continues the conversation started by the story by drawing readers into the blogosphere. Roanoke.com stories offer a similar feature within the "Share this story" menu. There, readers can click the "Related at Technorati" option to see what bloggers posted entries about the story. Many times there isn't much discussion (Roanoke isn't often the hub of conversation), but articles do occasionally draw national keystrokes. And if you haven't used Technorati before, do take time to check out their site. It can be both a way to glean public reaction to something in the news, or a method to find bloggers with similar interest. May 8, 2006Get your scroll on This unique item allows for more than the previously featured local weather conditions by adding the ability to show the latest breaking news item from anywhere on the Web site. Prior to this innovation, the only way to view most breaking news was on the "news" tab on the home page. The breakingnews/weather scroll works on the same principle as the "online exclusive" section of the home page by using choice bits of JavaScript paired with standard-issue XHTML markup and CSS. That's basically geek talk for the type of code driving everything. All of it is part of an effort to maximize the often-limited real estate available on our home page. Liking LightboxWe implemented a new photo overlay feature a few weeks ago and I'm hooked. Check out Sunday's story on the growth of Liberty University in Lynchburg (It's called 'Falwell Country') and click the map links in the "Related" box. The lightbox feature is similar to a javascript popup window, which is how we used to link new graphics, but I just like this presentation better. You can save one photo file and don't have to build an HTML page to house the image if you want to add a cutline or close window feature. Both are included with Lightbox. We've hit a few glitches with it, specifically when some ads display over the graphics, but that's a problem easily fixed. Props to producer Patrick Beeson for finding it and trying it out. May 4, 2006'Share this story' explainerThe thinking behind the feature comes from the social-web concept in recent Web development, commonly referred to as "Web 2.0". Sites such as del.icio.us, Magnolia, Digg, Newsvine and many others are the front-runners of this movement. So where does The Roanoke Times fit in? In many ways, we're what makes this whole network work. Newspapers, blogs (maybe even this one) and other information providers drive this social network by providing the content to be shared among users. Person "A" reads a story, likes it, and seeds it to Newsvine (or any number of other social Web sites) for others to enjoy. By adding the "share this story" function to every story page and blog entry, we've streamlined this process. If you read a story on roanoke.com you think other's would enjoy, simply hover your cursor over the "share..." button and pick the service you prefer to use. And if you stumble across another service that we should be using with this feature, please let us know. |