Thanks for the Plugs!
We’ve received numerous plugs throughout the RVA blogging community and just wanted to pass along our thanks and appreciation. We have some pretty big shoes to fill and hope to do just as well for our community as the other community blogs have wonderfully done.
Thanks specifically to the following for mentioning us (no particular order):
- http://rivercityrapids.blogspot.com/2007/08/new-blogs-on-scene.html
- http://pburgpn.net/news/2007/08/19/announcing-near-west-end-news/
- http://floricane.typepad.com/buttermilk/2007/08/on-the-9th-day-.html
- http://www.mohr-or-less.com/in-the-midst-of-the-weekend-launched-another-site/
- http://hillsandheights.net/news/2007/08/19/near-west-end-news/
- http://www.lestercat.net/blog/2007/08/19/near-west-end-news/
- http://shamblingdarkness.blogspot.com/2007/08/grove-libbie.html
- http://fdhub.net/near-west-end-news-becomes-newest-community-blog/
- http://triathlonmom.blogspot.com/2007/08/new-near-west-end-news-blog.html
- http://waldo.jaquith.org/blog/2007/08/near-west-end-news/
If we missed anyone, please let us know and we’ll gladly reference you!
It would have been nice to see something a little more original.
I’ll *assume* that you are referring to an undeniable resemblance between this and the other community blogs. Frankly, I haven’t come across a layout that works as well as this. If you can point me towards a better or interesting example, I would appreciate it.
What would you change?
I might add that the semblance among the area ‘hoodblogs reinforces the point that we are a growing community of hyperlocal blogs. Also, the photo banners that showcase highlights from the local area are SWEET!
I was the “Anom”. Sometimes you just want to be “Anom”. (I guess thats not allowed). Anyway, I wasn’t trying to bash community blogs — I personally like each site – they have become useful even for folks who don’t live there. I also understand it took one person (John) to finally get the ball rolling for those community blogs. I was just wondering why they all had to look the same? We really like WOTBN.net and the Fan District Hub – 2 community blogs – 2 different looks.
I appreciate a good design, especially when I don’t have a lot of time to quickly catch up on news before rushing off to work. I also appreciate consistency with certain websites that offer similar functions yet content related specifically to their locale (i.e. John M’s community blogs). I know if I visit these sites, I’ll know exactly where to look for features across the board yet with information relevant to the specific community I’ve visited. Personally, I think some visitors appreciate the consistency while others appreciate the uniqueness of varying designs. All, for what it’s worth, of course. :-)
It seems to me that the posts, the events, recent comments, and some advertising spots *have* to be in the initial screen and this dictates the design. These features promote interaction, communication, and community, and are essential to having the site really get popping. There are other categories of information that need to be available, if not right away. Both West of the Boulevard News and Fan District Hub have more design, but I dunno if they are as useful as they only partially hit these points and lack some of the functionality of this site and the others (archives by categories, subscribe to the weekly email broadcast, events calendar, local classifieds, etc).
I do like how West of the Boulevard News spotlights specific articles to the right, though they lose a lot of screen space on that. The Fan District Hub layout feels too busy too me, too much like a magazine in that it can be difficult to scan and see what is new on the site. But you are right, they do look different.
: :
As far as being anonymous, I wouldn’t out you on the site, but if you’re going to hide behind anonymity to be snarky and sarcastic I won’t ignore that *I* might know who you are. If after folks take the time, effort, and initiative to put together something that they offer as a community service, all you are able to offer is an anonymous complaint then I’m not really sure how to value your contribution. Put your name on what you have to say, offer a solution, be constructive.
Point Well Taken…
Waldo Jaquith: Near West End News
Thx, John! Got it.