McElroy: News Sentinel redesigns Web sites

  • Posted July 5, 2009 at midnight
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This week the News Sentinel launches a redesign of its two largest Web sites: knoxnews.com and govolsxtra.com.

The sites will sport a new "look and feel" as well as new functionality.

One change will be in the handling of the comments at the ends of stories. This has been a hot topic for the past year or two.

Some readers love the comments, seeing them as vigorous civic dialog that reflects the democratization of the media. Others hate them, finding them inane, boorish and toxic. They wonder why the newspaper has lowered its standards to allow them.

Several weeks ago, the News Sentinel held a community "round table" discussion of the issue, and that figured into plans for the new site.

Now visitors who dislike comments will be able to turn them off. After they make that choice, they will no longer have to see any comments on knoxnews.com and govolsxtra.com, at least as long as they log on from the same computers.

At the same time, users who enjoy comments will find it easier to respond to others and to upload photos and videos to share.

The redesign offers other opportunities for customization, too. Readers, for example, can select what type of news - business, local, sports, etc. - they would like displayed most prominently when they log on.

Overall, the new sites are bolder and easier to scan. The type is bigger, and photos are presented in a more engaging manner.

The site features "pull-down" menus that make it easier to navigate, and other subtle changes make the sites easier to use. Content, for instance, will be better grouped by subject, so related text, photographs and multimedia will be right at hand.

The Weather section will be enhanced so information is easier to access. There will be individual weather maps and forecasts, too, for towns and neighborhoods throughout the region such as Halls, Farragut, Maryville and Oak Ridge.

Videos will be presented in a richer environment where viewers can easily scan choices and arrange selections according to the most-viewed and highest-rated videos.

Photo galleries will be another area of improvement. Instead of viewing just one photo at a time, users will see thumbnail previews of entire photo galleries. Once expanded, photos will be presented in a larger, richer display than before.

The mobile version of the Web sites also will be much improved. Under our old system, users could only see text. But the new mobile editions of knoxnews.com and govolsxtra.com will feature photos and other images as well.

The redesign goes into effect Wednesday, hopefully about 2 p.m.

Stop by for a look. Naturally there will be glitches, though, so please bear with us as we sort them out.

The redesign is part of our ongoing efforts to expand and improve our online offerings.

Just last week we added another feature to knoxnews.com, a database of property appraisals by the Knox County assessor. Not surprisingly, it has proven to be very popular, attracting tens of thousands of searches in its first few days of operation.

I invite readers who are interested to spend a little time exploring the database. And, if you happen to spot any examples of serious inequities in property valuations, alert me. We'll check it out.

You can contact me at editor@knoxnews.com.

As always, we welcome your comments and suggestions.

Jack McElroy is editor of the News Sentinel. He may be reached at 865-342-6300, at editor@knews.com or through his blog, The Upfront Page at http://blogs.knoxnews.com.

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Comments » 48

Phowell23 writes:

Cool! Bring it on.

Major_Magilicutty writes:

Ignore button? I like the comments, but I'd like to be able to block out certain users. Overall, still a welcome change.

KCHS63 writes:

First rate websites use monitors. The News-Sentinel thinks the trashier the comments, the more people will read. A lot of Sentinel stories (most are now out of Memphis, Nashville, and Chattanooga)are just to bait volatile comments. How much more money can the KNS save?

IPOrange writes:

The "turn off" feature is available now and is not something new. ? ? ?

Personally, I want the comments to remain. It's great fun to have trolls and lopers reveal their uncouth disposition with their childish banter. Makes the University of Tennessee more attractive to prospective recruits when they see the uneducated rantings of the gator iggits.

FWBVol writes:

in response to KCHS63:

First rate websites use monitors. The News-Sentinel thinks the trashier the comments, the more people will read. A lot of Sentinel stories (most are now out of Memphis, Nashville, and Chattanooga)are just to bait volatile comments. How much more money can the KNS save?

In fairness to the KNS, the newspaper business isn't like other organizations that utilize websites and most papers don't have the resources to devote to have someone monitoring comments 24 hours a day.

There have been more than 11,000 newspaper jobs that have been cut since the first of the year due to economic hardships, which is why many papers are now sharing stories online. Would it be nice if the KNS could generate all of the online and print stories in house? Yes, but that day is likely gone forever.

By giving readers links to stories from other papers it saves readers the time of surfing to multiple sites. That is the one positive I see in all of this.

mlsoft#228820 writes:

I welcome any and all improvements, but I cannot think of any single improvement more crucial to this particular site than to add an ignore feature. This site is usually unenjoyable due to all the garbage posts.

On any significant story, after the first handful of posts, the subject of the board becomes a childrens shouting match, having little to do with the story. It is no longer any fun to read.

In the absence of an ignore button, at a minimum the site needs to ban posters by using the id number of the computer rather than the poster's screen name.

I cannot emphasize too strongly how detremental to the enjoyment of the site this problem has become.

mlsoft

ctownvol writes:

in response to D_to_the_C:

This comment may be inappropriate. Reveal this comment.

Explain to me again how you can't ignore someone without an ignore button?

Is there a "don't eat that chocolate cake" button too? If I only had that button, I could get rid of the treadmill.

Although I do despise you, I have to admit I do find the chocolate cake comment rather funny.

panties4tebow writes:

in response to gatorz7:

This comment may be inappropriate. Reveal this comment.

Round Table?!! I am one of their best customers and I wasn't invited to the round table? DC..did you get an invite?

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

AllVol2008#1353998 writes:

I believe it's spelled "dialogue."

chrisw2967 writes:

shouldnt the trolls be getting ready to watch the replay of the ole miss game from last year on css ?

panties4tebow writes:

in response to chrisw2967:

shouldnt the trolls be getting ready to watch the replay of the ole miss game from last year on css ?

Is the Ole Miss win over the lowly gators going to be on CSS?

I would love to see that replay again!!!!!!

BBBBBBBWWWWWWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAA

chrisw2967 writes:

in response to panties4tebow:

Is the Ole Miss win over the lowly gators going to be on CSS?

I would love to see that replay again!!!!!!

BBBBBBBWWWWWWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAA

at 5 today

chrisw2967 writes:

in response to chrisw2967:

at 5 today

CSS says its the fla ,ole miss game but on the info it says the gayfers and bulldogs,either way the gayfers lost both games.
right now there showing the tn ala game from 06

hotrodvol writes:

in response to mlsoft#228820:

I welcome any and all improvements, but I cannot think of any single improvement more crucial to this particular site than to add an ignore feature. This site is usually unenjoyable due to all the garbage posts.

On any significant story, after the first handful of posts, the subject of the board becomes a childrens shouting match, having little to do with the story. It is no longer any fun to read.

In the absence of an ignore button, at a minimum the site needs to ban posters by using the id number of the computer rather than the poster's screen name.

I cannot emphasize too strongly how detremental to the enjoyment of the site this problem has become.

mlsoft

Mlsoft, I'm afraid the pizzing match that goes on this site will continue. I will still come to this site but it is not the same as it was last year. The trolls have done what they have intended to do and have ruined this site. Now don't get me wrong trolls if you could bring good info to this site I would not care a bit to read your commits.

I've been going to a site lately called tharinger.com. It's a good site with a very good forum, there are fans from across the country, and you will not see the trash talking that goes on on this site. Actually the posters are helpful to each other in getting info. Trust me I will not leave this site because of the fighting back in forth, but the childish remarks back in forth are out of control. We all still want to read the replies but not many of us want to read through junk to get info.

Ok I've rambled on enough and this is a good site for info on the VOLS, Hopefully KNS will make the right changes to this TN site.

BasketVols writes:

in response to D_to_the_C:

This comment may be inappropriate. Reveal this comment.

Explain to me again how you can't ignore someone without an ignore button?

Is there a "don't eat that chocolate cake" button too? If I only had that button, I could get rid of the treadmill.

Getting a little big in the hips, DC? A girl can't keep her youthful figure forever...

IPOrange writes:

in response to AllVol2008#1353998:

I believe it's spelled "dialogue."

"Dialog" is an acceptable spelling as well.

This will be on the final exam. :-)

TommyJack writes:

We need a selective ignore button to cull the posers. Real gator/bama fans ok; not so for posers. Cull the posers!

panties4tebow writes:

in response to gatorz7:

This comment may be inappropriate. Reveal this comment.

No. Today was the thrashing of LSU on SUN. They play a Gators game every Sunday morning until the season begins. So, we get to watch the rest of the season and the National Championship Game. What a great series. (A few weeks ago, we watched the FEMA drill at Neybob Stadium).

So, did you enjoy watching the Ole Miss game again beavis? I did!!!!!!!!!!!!

BBBBWWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAA

panties4tebow writes:

in response to gatorz7:

This comment may be inappropriate. Reveal this comment.

I have visited many sites over the years, many of which have ignore buttons. I never have used one because I haven't found anyone who could debate me on a level playing field. That is why I have had so many screen names. Instead of trying to debate, they find it easier to censor.

Hopefully with the new whiner-button, KNS will alow those of us with intelligence, wit and superior debating skills to continue posting to the enjoyment of the non-whiners.

Well, you want be included in those with intelligence...you have NONE!!!

MikeInTN writes:

Thank goodness I can now omit the comments!!!! THANK YOU, THANK YOU KNS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Witch_Doctor writes:

in response to gatorz7:

This comment may be inappropriate. Reveal this comment.

Round Table?!! I am one of their best customers and I wasn't invited to the round table? DC..did you get an invite?

Witch Doctor was there.. stale donuts and warm coffee. Witch Doctor suggestion that Mouses Ears girls be allowed to post personals on site was quickly ignored. Witch Doctor felt uncomfortable that John Adams kept touching Witch Doctors feathers and trying to play with Witch Doctors bone chest plate. Witch Doctor say D_C made some good comments(under his real names but Witch Doctor not "out") Bones never lie

utvols420 writes:

where's the Steve McNair coverage?

ctownvol writes:

in response to utvols420:

where's the Steve McNair coverage?

knoxnews.com

vol4gzus writes:

No change as an earlier poster said," we already have a turn off comments just b4 you get reading the interesting and the not-so-interesting.

I don't mind free speech ,but some of the 'trolls' really don't want an actual debate,but rather just enjoy being antagonistic for the sake of being antagonistic. I don't care gater7 if you are an accomplished debater or not. You haven't been civil(except the trolls laid off the touching article about Eddie Gran and his family) as I recall. You want dialog then be civil(sad to say that goes for Vol fans also). We have our caustic spewers as well that don't let sleeping dogs lie.

So we want peace we talk the sport and leave the hate and venom out and it will defuse (in time) the majority of the opponent fans who come on this VOL site.

Good evening gents

PepperGrinder writes:

"Now visitors who dislike comments will be able to turn them off."

I love the comments it's just that I am frustrated by the inaction when it comes to the trolls. Instead of just being able to turn them off give us an option to ignore certain posters.

PepperGrinder writes:

in response to gatorz7:

This comment may be inappropriate. Reveal this comment.

DC...you said, "Posters using the ignore button would be clueless in understanding much of the discussion."

How would that differ from what the current status is?

You and DC dont bring much to the table so they wouldnt be missing much.

txvolsfan writes:

in response to gatorz7:

This comment may be inappropriate. Reveal this comment.

Round Table?!! I am one of their best customers and I wasn't invited to the round table? DC..did you get an invite?

They assumed you would be at the bail bondsmen for Cryer, getting his thugs out of the slammer!!!

blitzshoot writes:

Gator Posers = Ignore button.

IPOrange writes:

in response to A_VOICE_OF_REASON:

This comment may be inappropriate. Reveal this comment.

"Makes the University of Tennessee more attractive to prospective recruits when they see the uneducated ranting"

LMFAO!! ARE YOU SERIOUS???? This athletic department (much like most of the BCS schools and probably many others as well) wouldn't be able to field a team in ANY sport if they weren't cheating! College athletics - especially football and basketball - has become nothing more than prostituting kids with athletic ability without ANY regard for their academic abilities or qualifications. Any yes all you kool-aid drinkers it IS happening on the beloved Hill as well!

That doesn't mean we can't enjoy the competition and the games and argue about our favorite schools BUT PLEASE DO NOT even try to make anybody believe that TN or any other school is something special when it comes to athletes and their academics! I guarantee you that 50-75% of the football and basketball players would not get close to admission without their sports. Then they are put in BS classes, have work done for them to stay eligible and never get close to a meaningful degree!

Heh heh heh... it's SOOOO easy to get a loper riled. Whine, whine, whine, lol!

senracjr writes:

I for one look forword to the ignore button, I can ignore the lopers and those that keep replying to the lopers!

oneandonehalf writes:

What does this article "McElroy: News Sentinel redesigns Web sites"
have to do with GO VOLS EXTRA?

ctownvol writes:

in response to gatorz7:

This comment may be inappropriate. Reveal this comment.

DC..it is HARD to be humble, but you are correct. People like to read what we post. Mostly because they know it is true.

Are you talking to yourself again? Tick tock.

senracjr writes:

Bye bye troll turds.

Couchdummy writes:

I think an ignore button makes about as much sense as a fart button! If the ignore button is used, what does it do other than remove any postings by the "ignored poster" for that particular article? Subsequent commenters who respond will continue to carry the dialogue about the supressed comment. Am I wrong?

ctownvol writes:

I'm all for it, but if it sounds too good to be true....

IPOrange writes:

in response to Couchdummy:

I think an ignore button makes about as much sense as a fart button! If the ignore button is used, what does it do other than remove any postings by the "ignored poster" for that particular article? Subsequent commenters who respond will continue to carry the dialogue about the supressed comment. Am I wrong?

Agreed. Anyway, it's so much fun to watch how the trolls get wound up so easily and start whining and crying over so many of the posts of Vols fans. Especially the gator trolls - they start sobbing like a bunch of middle school girls at the drop of a hat. What's not to like?

ctownvol writes:

in response to MorristownVOL:

This comment may be inappropriate. Reveal this comment.

Will this also elimainate the elite girls club?

Elimainate? I doubt it.

IPOrange writes:

in response to ctownvol:

Elimainate? I doubt it.

That's eaisy for you to say. :-)

ctownvol writes:

in response to IPOrange:

That's eaisy for you to say. :-)

Good call IP.

Couchdummy writes:

in response to IPOrange:

That's eaisy for you to say. :-)

Funny IP!!

belayvol writes:

in response to uf2006bcs1:

This comment may be inappropriate. Reveal this comment.

It's hard to ignore the best. Thanks Gator haters. Be careful what you wish for.

Don't worry. I raised three kids so i am used to poop and snot. i will be here to wipe you every time you dribble. Now eat your prunes.

orangeluvr writes:

I suggest a BAN BUTTON for smart a#$ interlopers. y'ALL can identify the e-addresses these disparaging and taunting posts are coming from. The best change is not to allow such comments in the first place. They take up way to much space. On the other hand some of us Vol fans love to argue with these people when they should just ignore them. Thanks, KNS and sponsors for this site. Go VOLS!

panties4tebow writes:

in response to gatorz7:

This comment may be inappropriate. Reveal this comment.

DC..it is HARD to be humble, but you are correct. People like to read what we post. Mostly because they know it is true.

BEAVIS, you are WRONG again as you are 100% of the time. No VOL FAN would miss your comments or buttheads (dc) comments at all! And you girls do not post facts at all.....only garbage and lies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

UTWINSALOT with Kiffin & Company...the greatest coaching staff ever, EVER!!!!

GO VOLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

panties4tebow writes:

I think the best thing all VOL FANS could do in order to get the KNS's attention would be to boycott this site until they (KNS) give us the ignore button so that the trolls comments could not be read.

It is true we don't need a button to turn off comments because that is already an option...just don't read the comments.

The KNS can do much better and should care about the fans who actually want to use this site instead of using it to harass everyone. The ignore button would increase this sites visits greatly!

Contact the KNS and get their attention today!

ctownvol writes:

There is already a way to turn off all comments. It's been that way for as long as I can remember. What would be nice is to be able to have an ignore option for certain posters. Ideally that would also omit all responses made directly to any of their posts. That way there isn't 400 posts by one moronic gator fan and 300 direct replies. I'm just as guilty of trading back and forth with these imbeciles, but if they're not there....Happy Days are here again!

panties4tebow writes:

in response to ctownvol:

There is already a way to turn off all comments. It's been that way for as long as I can remember. What would be nice is to be able to have an ignore option for certain posters. Ideally that would also omit all responses made directly to any of their posts. That way there isn't 400 posts by one moronic gator fan and 300 direct replies. I'm just as guilty of trading back and forth with these imbeciles, but if they're not there....Happy Days are here again!

Well said, I agree with you 100%!

Contact the news sentinel today and voice your concern - I just emailed my concern regarding the GO VOLS EXTRA website today!

DarthVol writes:

The problem with an open/free site like this is that anything that might be said by someone with an IQ just north of spongebob will get buried by all the waste-of-time-back-and-forth-bs between gators and those who choose to constantly respond to them. And that includes 99 and his govolsxtra fan club.

People want to comment. People want to read others comments if they're worth reading. But the problem is volume, not quality. To much of one and not enough of the other.

But hey, you get what you pay for right?

Colliervol writes:

The only thing that would help this site is to go back to being Pay Per View. The outsiders and wastes of space like Naffy and Voice of Reason have made this thing worse than a root canal. Just not worth reading the commments anymore as the dim bulbs far outweigh the contributors. The Ignore button is looking pretty good to me.

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