A new version of RacinePost is live today. You'll hopefully notice a more organized, flexible and robust site to display our stories and photos. New features include:* A cleaner, modern layout
* Easier to read fonts
* A redesigned Racine Kiosk to better display events
* A "Positively Racine" section for good news in the community
* Better display for Obituaries
* A "Daily Headlines" box to track news about Racine
* Improved advertising space to maximize exposure and click throughs
* Flexibility for easy expansion
* 'The Big Picture' to highlight local photography and scenes from the community
* An extensive archive of RacinePost stories
Our new front page is part of a site-wide redesign we're undergoing in the new few weeks. Next up: A new commenting system on our stories.
What do you think about our new look? Post comments below and we'll consider them as we refine the design in the coming weeks.
This is very cool. Lots more stuff to access in an easier way. Better play for advertisers, too. Congratulations.
ReplyDeletegreat job! There are parts of this site that you have to put your phone number. Is that a link to another site?
ReplyDeleteStill awful, sorry.
ReplyDeleteI like it.
ReplyDeletePhone number? Sorry I'm not sure what you mean.
ReplyDeletewill take time to get used to it, but it looks less "bloggy" and more "newsy" - it's good, people will learn to navigate it
ReplyDeleteAlthough it's attractive, people familiar with the old format may not go along with it. Also, designating some stories as "positively Racine" may alienate readers whose poverty and misery have taught them that there's NOTHING "positive" in or about this toadish town for anyone who isn't part of the socio-economic elite.
ReplyDelete"Positively" and "Racine" are mutually-exclusive terms for quite a few of us.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid that all the "positive" emphasis is turning your paper into a clone of the "Journal Times" or a Waxtrash-approved chamber of commerce publication. Frankly, I prefer the feisty, non-establishment "Post" whose editors take on the eliteniks and expose their crimes--this sorry community doesn't need another Pollyanna paper!
ReplyDeleteYour phone number is asked if want to post a comment if you click on a story from myracinecounty.com like "Burlington lays off teachers"
ReplyDeleteDid I miss it? Where are the links to other blogs?
ReplyDeleteI don't like it. I think it's actually harder to read. Hard on the eyes. Too much going on. Scattered looking. Too many things fighting for attention.
ReplyDeleteLike it--THANKS
ReplyDeleteOld one was WAY better and easier to navigate.....you still have probs with safari and firefox applications.....this version is more cluttered
ReplyDeleteYou are starting to look professional. No longer an underground paper but surfacing as a legitimate contender of the monopolizing JT. If you continue with these improvements it is just a matter of time before the Racine Post has a large staff with abundant resources. Keep up the great work Dustin and Pete.
ReplyDeleteToo much stuff, all over the place, K.I.S.S. is the way to go.
ReplyDeleteIf there is a way to get rid of flashing/moving ads please do. They are so distracting (I know that's the point) and make it hard to actually read anything! If not get rid of them put them at the bottom of the page. Turn the rate they move down. Something. Please.
ReplyDeleteI thought I logged onto the New York Post - where's page 6?
ReplyDeleteBoth the old and new sites have their points. The new format looks more "mainstream" - i.e. more like other news sites, and is busier. Sure that's what you want?
ReplyDeleteI could be wrong but I think the old format would spread out to cover wide screens all the way to the edge while this format has a fixed width. Seems like the fixed format leaves less room for ads, or at least forces more vertical scrolling.
Is a search function in the cards? (I realize that sometimes you're aggregating content, but the search could at least find your own headlines to locate old links).
How 'bout separate pages that list articles for each news category that you could navigate to by clicking on a category header? That'd provide some of the "long list of older articles" effect from the old site while allowing you to stay with the "mainstream" front page.
Just a few suggestions. You guys are doing a fantastic job on the site and a hugely valuable service to the community. May God give you the energy needed to keep it up...
Thanks, everyone. Please know this is not a final design and, hopefully, the start of some significant expansions. We are looking at category pages and a search bar, plus some other fun additions.
ReplyDeleteWe'll also be tweaking the look to make it as reader-friendly as possible. Keep the feedback rolling in ... it's a huge help. It's just the two of us over here, so we need all the input we can get!
First up, though, we're going to revamp our comment/blog section in the next few days with a great new system. So, stay tuned for that change ...
I'm sorry to say I don't like your new look. Your previous design was simple and very "readable." The new design is too jumbled and cluttered and I think it makes it harder to find things.
ReplyDeletePlease keep Simplicity & Readability in mind as you tweak your design.
Overall, I appreciate RP and read it often.
Thanks for all of your hard work!
I hate this! Way too much advertising. Can't find anything........font is horrible. Go back to the old way.
ReplyDeleteLooks wonderful! It seems easier to navigate, and I love the pictures. Great for visual learners :D
ReplyDeleteTerrible on the eyes and too busy!! Not a good look at all. Try Googling website hints - what to do and not to do.
ReplyDeleteI'll get use to it... but I agree... its busy on the eyes. I would like to get back where I was when I hit the back button... I'm on the opening page, read an article and would like to go back and read another but I get stuck in another area with only articles on that "type" ... am I missing something? or do I have to go back to the www.racinepost.com to get back to the opening page after EVERY ARTICLE?
ReplyDeleteDesign is nice, but the font is way too light making it hard to read for those of us with eyes over 40
ReplyDeleteIt seems like less people are commenting on the stories....could there be a correlation with the changes or the stories that are prominent on the page...keep it old school
ReplyDeleteToo busy!! Not enough current news. I do not need to red the same tory over and over.
ReplyDelete