The Icon continues to evolve. We've said before that there is no manual written on how to create a free small-town online news source like The Icon.
Lots of the things we do are trial and error. Or, trial and success. Many of the ideas we try are viewer generated.
Here's the most recent example:
Now it's easier to find recently posted stories on The Icon thanks to our latest addition to the home page.
Check on the red box on the right side bottom of the home page. It lists all stories posted on The Icon in the past seven days. Stories are listed by the day of the week that they are posted.
One of the challenges of a news website with literally dozens of stories posted each week is simply this: keeping up with what's posted...or finding the stories.
We've tried several approaches. The black scroll bar at the top of the home page has a drop-down index box that lists stories by subject. And, at the very bottom of the home page is another index by subjects. (The bottom index will change soon as we will unveil a couple more new features very soon.)
Another way to find stories is to use the search bar on the top right side of the home page. Type in a name - your name, for example, and see where the search bar takes you. It may surprise you.
Despite these guides, perhaps the most common comment from viewers asking for improvements to our site is: "There was a story on the home page yesterday. Today it is gone. How can I find it?" Thus the creation of the seven-day story archive in the little red box.
As The Icon continues to evolve we find that traditional ways of reading news don't often change with the times. The Icon is not a newspaper - you can't hold it and turn the pages. However, we find that Icon viewers think as if they are reading a newspaper. And, therefore, a feature like the seven-day index - something you may scan by the day - works.
One additional feature in the red box is that viewers may also view stories by the month, going back to when The Icon launched. That means you don't have to pay for a "back issue" to get a story that was published last year. All our stories are archived and are free.
Try it. And, if you have ideas for us to experiment with, let us know. Also, watch The Icon in the coming weeks. We have several very interesting features in the works.
Thanks for all your positive comments and support.
