The Mail Tribune has launched a new Web site that provides readers with expanded content and additional opportunities to participate in the online conversation. The new site, which retains the address www.mailtribune.com, was scheduled to go live early this morning.
Regular visitors to the Mail Tribune site will notice many changes, including a new design and a variety of new features.
"We continually look to expand and improve the delivery of news and content to the Web-based community," said Grady Singletary, Mail Tribune publisher. "The enhanced site is a strong complement to the daily printed version. Most important, our popular Web site has created the forum for our news organization to provide updates to stories throughout the day as well as breaking news in advance of the morning delivery cycle."
The Mail Tribune launched its first Web site in 1997 with limited content from the newspaper. The site has grown in recent years to include weekday news updates, a popular forum section and broader content, but Wednesday's changes represent the first comprehensive overhaul of the site since its launch.
"The original site served us well initially," said Julie Wurth, online editor, "but the Web has changed a lot in the last few years, and it became clear to us we needed to make some changes as well."
Several longtime reader requests will be addressed with the addition of new content from the newspaper, she said. New interactive features will allow readers to easily add events to online calendars and use maps tied to stories. Readers will be able to comment on stories and view others' comments at the bottom of stories. Fuller content from the editorial pages will be part of the new site, as will an archive of recipes printed in the food section.
Other new features include a daily poll, a copy of the day's front page and pages dedicated to news and information from specific communities. High school sports fans can zero in on the school and sport they are most interested in.
The new site also includes an "FAQ" (Frequently Asked Questions) segment that addresses some of the changes and an opportunity for readers to offer their thoughts on the changes.
