Firstly, I applaud the News & Record for implementing the technology of Web logs and comments. I really like the opportunity to discuss points raised in letters to the editor.
I do have some observations on the system you implemented and think you may want to adjust your aim a bit in providing a way for readers to interact.
I would love to see the News & Record implement comment functions on "front-page" articles, too.
I think you're doing a great job of giving your readership a way to interact and discuss, rather than simply to read content and write the occasional letter to the editor.
Sam Moore
McLeansville
Editor's note: Thanks for your suggestions. We'll look into them as we fine-tune our Web initiatives.
Comments (4)
Sam, to provide a bit more detail: Obviously, one would think allowing comments on news stories would be a no-brainer, but our current Web publishing software, installed in 1996, does not allow it.
We will be replacing it within a couple of weeks, after which you'll be able to comment on, at a minimum, every staff-written story we post online.
You're also not the first person to suggest a Slashdot-like threaded comment structure. What it would take to create that goes past my technical expertise, but I'll consult with the tech folks on that.
Thanks again for the suggestions.
Posted by Lex | February 19, 2005 2:44 PM
Lex, talk to Ben. He's the local (and free, methinks) guru and I think was the first to bring up the Slashdot-like method.
Posted by Sue | February 20, 2005 10:13 AM
Not impossible, but with their current structure, and limitations by the software that N&R purchases, it would take a bit of work.
Slashdot provides their own architecture already, but if N&R used it, they would have to abide by GPL for that part of the code.
In any case, very possible to migrate, but depends on where N&R wants to be, which for now I'm not privy to that information. :)
Posted by Ben | February 21, 2005 10:10 AM
Thanks, Lex, Sue and Ben! I have no further comment on this issue. :)
Posted by Sam | February 21, 2005 12:59 PM