Comments on: So what do you think of the new roanoke.com?

By: Sandi Saunders

Sandi Saunders — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 14:51:33 +0000

Ancestry and the industry of death have made obituaries a part of a big business and record keeping is part of that process. More people consult the obituaries than you might think, especially folks who have moved from the area. Just like the “You know you are from…” pages on FB. It is a business and the obituaries and archives are a big part of several of them.

By: Other John

Other John — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 14:08:10 +0000

It’s very busy…trying to do too many things at once. Accuweather did that with their site, and I hardly use it any longer. They re-worked it 2-3 years ago and it went from a fairly simple, easy to navigate site to one that just tries to do too much.

The current site is a lot of text, but it’s easy to find stuff. I would have thought the top ribbon for navigation would have allowed the new main page to be simplified and sleek…but it’s not.

By: scott

scott — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 14:06:27 +0000

Death may be big business, but where is the obituary section in the print newspaper?

Unless you’re famous, it ain’t on the front page, nor is it on every single other story page.

The Obits button is appropriate at the top. The list of the dead in addition is not.

By: Dan Casey

Dan Casey — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 14:00:27 +0000

It’s not only the Roanoke Times. Death notices are much sought-after information for every newspaper. Whether you like it or not, death is news. It was that way long before The Roanoke Times ever existed, and it will be that way long after, too.

Newsflash, Frank! News is business. And we appreciate your continued patronage.

By: gdad

gdad — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 13:49:19 +0000

” the renewed emphasis in the “new and improved roanoke.com” on obits makes me think it’s an area from which the RTs thinks it can get more dollars flowing… by profiting off of dead people.”

Yeah, Frankie, that’s some nimble thinking by you. The RT is out there at funeral homes strongarming families into buying obits.

By: Kristen

Kristen — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 02:25:55 +0000

I agree with the “busy” comments. The page looks like a bunch of lists. I suspect we’ll get used to it though.

By: Frank

Frank — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 22:04:05 +0000

I probably won’t use it until I have to. I’ll fuss about it then.

Hey scott,

your comments concerning the obits reminds me, it appears as thought the print version of the RTs’ obits has been expanded from what was, perhaps due to more pictures, more copy, lower prices, or maybe more people are passing away. the renewed emphasis in the “new and improved roanoke.com” on obits makes me think it’s an area from which the RTs thinks it can get more dollars flowing… by profiting off of dead people.

By: Sandi Saunders

Sandi Saunders — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 21:56:05 +0000

The link to this blog just says “Casey” are you dropping the “Dan”?

I like it, but it is busy.

By: Pirengle

Pirengle — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 19:57:10 +0000

I’d like to see graphics on all the left sidebar entries, not just the top three, similar to how the mobile site displays icons.

By: david

david — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 19:46:44 +0000

I do not like it. The first thing I saw was your mug, and larger, too!