2. Navigation bar
The navigation bar appears on the top of every page, this allows
easy navigation, meaning the site is easy to use.
The left of the navigation bar is grey with white text suggests a more
serious tone than the red background of the white text to the right.
This multiple coloured navigation bar adds decoration to the page
but also signifies the type of topic which can be found on either
side of the navigation bar. For example the topics to the left of the
navigation bar are more serious and typically expected from
traditional local newspapers; such as news. These categories are
major in comparison to those on the left and their significance is
represented by the black (often used to reflect severity background
However the things on the right are more for entertainment
purposes, so best suit the brighter colour.
3. Hyperlinked mast head
As seen on many local news sites the mast head which appears on
the top of every page is hyperlinked to the home page.
This allows users to move easily from the page they are currently
viewing to the home page.
I think this feature exists because easy navigation is required
because the site is intended for people who have different levels of
skills. If the website is too difficult to use for some users it is
unlikely that they will visit the site often; and it is important for
readers not to be scared away as it will decrease the popularity of
the newspaper company.
4. Subheadings
Subtitles such as ‘Latest headlines’ and ‘most popular’ allow the
user to find stories that others are interested in and what the news
paper thinks that most people will be most interested in.
This saves time because other possibilities include listing the stories
alphabetically which may be a strenuous search because some of
the stories may be older and no longer relevant.
‘Most popular’ is about halfway down the page; where ‘Latest
headlines’ is much higher in the page The categories are composed
in such a way so that the most up to date stories are at the top if the
page because users will read from the top of the page downwards
and therefore be more likely to read the stories at the top of the
page: which will be those that are most up to date.
5. Sub sections
Subsections at the bottom of the page are hyperlinks so act as quick
links that take the user directly to title of the section. This sub
sections are of the less conventional sections that are found in local
news papers; but the parts that are becoming increasingly popular.
These hyperlinks are at the bottom of the page because they are of
an obvious size that they can be easily seen but are not overtaking
the top of the page of the websites primary purpose. Features such
as ‘dating’ may be most suitable for those audiences thought to be
the ‘experiential’ according to VALS (Values and Life styles) which are
5% of the population.
6. Search facility
This feature is typical of local news website. The search bar appears
on every page.
The purpose of the search facility is to allow users to find things on
the website that they cannot find using hyperlinks. The search
facility works by recognising words entered into the search bar to
text on the website. This means that the computer will filter through
all information that it thinks will be relevant.
The search facility makes the website easy to use, and less stressful
for users; making it more popular than if there was perhaps no
search bar.
7. Hyperlinked images
The hyperlinked images offer users the opportunity to
access constant news updates through social networking
sites. The images are hyperlinked so that if the user is
interested in the services which are available the can click
on the image and in return will get an immediate
response; saving them time and effort. These images are
at the top of the news page; meaning that the links do
not have to be searched for.
8. Comments
The ability to comment on the news act in a similar way
to a forum. Forums allow users to discuss their opinions
about the news. This interactive feature allows the users
to feel as though their opinion is welcome. This feature
also means, however, that the comments must be
monitored at all times because some people ma use this
opportunity as a place to express their offensive views.
This may be most applicable for those audiences who use
the media for cultural transition because communicating
with others and voicing their opinions makes them feel
accepted in society according to Blumler and Katz.
9. Layout
The website is laid into two columns, which is similar to
the layout of a print newspaper. This continuity of all
editions means that the website is easily recognised of a
newspaper. The columns contain smaller stories aided
with hyperlinked images so that the user can view the full
story if necessary. The headings (also similar to those
found in a newspaper) are in bold at the top of the
stories.
11. Login
The login on the top of the page implies that many users
have their own personal user area of the website. This is
good for people who use the medium for surveillance
according to Bulmer and Katz because they can
personalise the news that appears on the top of the page
when they have logged on. This may also appeal to those
audiences who are categorised as ‘belongers’ because they
feel part of something having their own personal space on
a news website. This makes reading the news more
convenient for those who are only interested in particular
news.
12. Navigation bar
The navigation is slightly different to those that I have
previously analysed because it is not divided into two section.
I think this is because city news sites tend to be less about the
local people and more about the city its self; meaning that they
provide less opportunities for advertising and dating and other
such features found on other news websites.
Such opportunities are absent because the city is more
nationally related than small towns so the people who live
there have more places they can visit to advertise than their
local newspaper. Also there is more people in the city than in a
small town so there is less space for the newspaper to include
everybody.
13. Interactivity
This website offers interactivity via a forum. The
forum allows predominately local people to voice
their opinions about the news; this brings society
together because it is a form of communication
and makes the user feel part of something. This is
most appealing for the 38% of the population
which are thought to be ‘belongers’ according to
VALS (values and Lifestyles)
Additionally the use of the imperative ‘Join’ makes
the user feel as though they are obliged to converse
with London. Also the use of ‘London’ implies to
the reader that they could discuss their feelings
with something much greater than their selves.
Every time a new comment is added the field
automatically updates so the latest is always at the
top.
14. Layout
This website does not follow conventions that I have
seen on previous local news sites.
This web page is not presented in multiple columns;
but in one long column and predominately about
one story. This is unusual because most local news
websites conquer many stories on the first page by
giving short introductions to multiple stories. To fit
more stories on the page the page is usually divided
into at least two columns.
15. Search facility
The search facility is a very typical feature of a
local news website primarily because it provides
easy accessibility and navigation. The user can
use this if they do not find direct links to what
they desire. This makes the website very easy to
use. This is very important so that the website
can be used by a wide range of people with
different ICT skills so that it appeals to everyone.
