Online readers of The Monroe Times have been visiting our new website for the last week as it goes through beta testing. The new website platform will be implemented as our everyday website on Sept. 5.
This change will require online readers to log in as if they’re logging into our website for the first time. They will need to recall the email address they first used when they signed up for viewing the Monroe Times online. If readers have since changed their e-mail and can’t remember what the previous address was, we have a list of them here in our office and we can be contacted by phone or email for assistance.
Change is difficult in our traditional, hard-working community. We’ve had a lot of change at the Monroe Times since February 2017. The reason for this is because the newspaper went through a few internal technology upgrades for the better part of a decade.
In our world, to operate a computer system that’s tied to all of the different types of software that’s needed to run a business, it’s important to regularly upgrade computers, software and some of the hardware for the network. Since none of that was done here for so long, we were always one computer glitch away from not publishing an edition.
Because the computers were so old, they could only run old software. If someone sent us an upgraded pdf for an advertisement, or a Word file on the latest version, we had difficulty sometimes just opening the file. All of the employees in the newsroom had to operate on two different computers — an ancient Apple G4 to do newspaper tasks, and a somewhat newer PC in order to handle their email. Think of it like this: You run an automotive repair business where virtually all of the vehicles you need to fix have fuel injectors. Meanwhile, all of the equipment you have in your shop is for fixing carburetors.
We have come a long way since February 2017 toward improving our computer network and other associated technology. Upgrading the website is the last “big” change in operational technology we have yet to complete. We’re upgrading the platform by about three generations.
One thing our readers will immediately notice is that our webpage will snap to the type of technology being used. It’s friendly for computers, laptops, tablets and smartphones. We have new technology on the website that brings readers an updated community calendar. Just like Facebook and Twitter, our new website is built on a platform that allows for “infinite scrolling.” This means you can continue to scroll down the page and run into content we’ve entered.
On the advertising side we can offer “impressions” to businesses with analytics showing how many viewers are seeing an advertisement. We have a Facebook page with 5,700 friends and followers and websites that draw 660,000 impressions a month. If a business uses Facebook largely for its promotions and advertising, we have technology to enhance that significantly. We’re using our local connections to help businesses grow their local customer base.
A lot of what we’re doing with our website is the same thing that newspapers have been doing since the dawn of printing — we’re sharing information and bringing people together.
As a local newspaper you’ve seen a great deal less of polarized political commentary on our “Views” page. As we have important opinions that we want to share, we’ll still share them. People can get their fix of national debate by turning on any number of different media outlets. What they can’t get is the news that’s happening here in our greater community. We’re using our space to feature local news — news that you can only get by reading the Monroe Times.
We want people to feel good about reading their newspaper and not go away angry due to one piece of opinion. We’d much rather bring you news on 4-H groups, the county’s nursing facility, photos of a school concert, scores of local sports contests and the results of Green County’s Best Cheeseburger Contest.
Our website expands our ability to give readers local news. The more professional, speedy and informative our website is, the more benefit it is to the community.
The initial change-over from our old website on Sept. 5 will be easier for some than others. If you can’t remember the email address you used to set up your account, call us and we’ll help walk you through it. Then you can save it in your browser, make any changes to your account you like, and you’re set for the future. Mainly we hope the change has as few flaws as possible and brings readers timely information.
By noting how many people have logged on to our beta site as it has been open without a paywall, and seeing how many stories have been shared, we know people are finding our website convenient and easy to use. The paywall will return after a month-long trial period in which readers will get to open 20 items for free. At $6 a week for an online subscription, or $72 a year, we’ve made being an online reader of the Times easy and inexpensive. Print subscribers receive an online subscription for free.
We hope you like our new website at www.themonroetimes.net and we have worked diligently over a long period of time to do the best job possible for readers.
— Matt Johnson is publisher of the Monroe Times. His column is published Wednesdays.
