"As newspaper readership evolves, so are we. The Marietta Daily Journal continually strives to deliver the strongest, most informative local news to the Cobb County community, and this expanded Web presence will further complement those efforts," said Otis Brumby III, the Journal's general manager.
One major new feature will be an electronic version of the printed product, where users will be able to see every story, every photo, and every ad, every day in an easy-to-read and navigate format. Beginning with today's newspaper, the E-edition will archive every issue.
The E-edition will be free to everyone until Sept. 23, 2009, and print subscribers will continue to have access at no additional charge. E-edition only subscriptions will be $65 per year, and can be purchased by calling the circulation department at (770) 428-9411 ext. 499.
Readers will also find more photos and videos on the revamped site. As in the past, copies of Journal photos can be purchased through the Photo Reprints link, under the Multimedia tab.
Continuing its focus on the community, the Journal will offer a community calendar of events happening around the county. Users can view the events, and post their own. There is also space for users to post their own photos and stories. The site will also offer the option to receive daily or weekly e-mail alerts on various topics of interest, as well as a mobile-friendly format for most Smart phones and PDAs. Users who choose to receive an RSS feed will get updates as soon as a local story is uploaded to our site.
Brad Buttram, the Journal's IT director, has been working since May to produce the new site.
"The dissemination of information through RSS feeds and e-mail updates is important because it changes the dynamic between the Web site and its users. Now, users can have their desired news updates come to them, as opposed to being limited to visiting the site as the only means of receiving updates," Buttram said.
"That dynamic is further changed by new tools such as 'Submit a Photo' and 'Submit a Story' because it allows users to have direct influence on the content of the site, making it more of a community Web site. By involving the community in the Web site, the newspaper's 'local' roots and focus are better served," he said.
Other new features include Cobblinc, a robust, searchable business directory, and a dynamic automotive portal to help readers find a car from hundreds of local dealers.
Brumby, who has overseen the redesign of the site, said, "We are excited about our new site and the enhanced capabilities we will be able to offer the community. Our commitment to local news is stronger than ever, and the new MDJonline.com will allow us to distribute this information to more readers around the county via print, online and mobile."
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But having breakfast at the kitchen table and READING the MDJ at the same time - unbeatable. I shall keep the newspaper. Thanks MDJ.
I think the MDJ has grossly miscalculated their online reader's desire to read the MDJ. I enjoy it from time to time, but if I have to pay for it I'm not going to bother. Name one other local/national newspaper or news station website that charges for their content. Face it, this isn't Pulitzer prize winning journalism here.
Oh well, with the new AJC.com layout I probably would have stopped anyway. I can't stand their website. It's like news for people with ADD.
If you want $65 you have to promise me Steve Rhinehart will keep posting.
Can I actually break up my post into paragraphs??? NO WAYS!
Nelle & Bill Brannen, Sr.