PUBLISHER’S COLUMN by Richard Lamb: Answering website questions
First of all, thanks for noticing us on the web and for sending in your comments. In the past week, more people have looked at PIAdvance.com than in any single week since we turned the thing on December 5, 2002.
Some have offered comments, or suggestions, on what is here and what they wish to see on our website. My idea with this site is to keep it as simple as possible, both to keep it easy, and less time-consuming to update, and to keep it simple enough for easy navigation on the user’s end. Judging from the comments, you like what you see.
Those of you in faraway places apprieciate the way you can plug into the area with the ease of a click. Having that instant link to home is important to many of you. Although we don’t now, and probably will never, print the entire newspaper on the Internet, having a slice of The Advance or Outlook available free online is important to you.
Many have said they like columnist Gail Maggi’s column, the photo gallery, any news about the city, the business directory, the weather page, and the connection to the area. Look for more of each in coming days.
Support from the business community has been great, as well. The advertisers to the right of this page and those on the business directory are the reason we are able to bring the website to you. Many Rogers City area advertisers have shown their interest and we hope some Onaway advertisers will support the pages also.
Now to answer some questions you have raised.
WILL YOU HAVE A CHAT ROOM SOON?
No. Easy answer. There have been a few problems with other’s chat rooms and I don’t wish to get into that situation. Without constant monitoring–and I can’t sit in front of my Mac 24 hours a day–problems could arise.
WHEN WILL THE CLASSIFIEDS BE ONLINE?
I’m hoping to have the classifieds loaded on the pages each Friday starting sometime this month. I’ve found there is much to learn to do a good job at this, and my time is somewhat limited.
Same thing with the calendar. It is ready to work, but it is a matter of entering the information. Both will be on soon.
WILL THE OBITUARIES BE PRINTED IN THEIR ENTIRIETY ONLINE?
The complete obit will be available only in the Advance and Outlook. Part of making this site simp
COULD YOU LIST THE OBITUARIES BY DATE?
Readers have said it would be easier to find an obituary by date, rather than the alphabetical listing as it is now. Our intellegent webmaster is working on this concern right now.
HOW CAN A BUSINESS OR ORGANIZATION GET LISTED IN THE BUSINESS DIRECTORY?
Easy. Either call me at 989 734-2105 or email me at editor@PIAdvance.com to tell the name and address of your business (see the business directory for what we include). Cost is a modest $30 per year for listing on the directory. Display ads are priced reasonably, also.
AGAIN THANKS to all who made last week our busiest, most visited week in our short online history. We had more than 25,000 hits last week by nearly 1,600 visitors. Thanks for your support and input.