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Monday, August 09, 1999

www.irontontribune.com Beginning next Wednesday, that address will bring the world to your doorstep through The Tribune’s new web site.

We are extremely proud of the site, and it boasts the most news links of any site in the Tri-State.

In addition to a wealth of links that will let you have access to the latest world and national news, www.irontontribune.com will offer news via The Associated Press, the world’s most respected and trusted source of international, national and state news.

Local news, sports and photographs – which will be updated daily – are the real stars of the web site, plus every user will have the opportunity to participate in on-line, interactive forums. These forums will look at issues of interest right here in Lawrence County as well as ideas and events happening across the globe.

Readers themselves will determine the forum topics, so with just a click of your mouse and a few strokes on your computer keyboard, you will be connected to the ideas and thoughts of others across Lawrence County as well as the world.

You also will be able to send a letter to the editor, ask a question of the newsroom or even renew your subscription or become a new subscriber through The Tribune’s web site.

As students head back to the classroom this fall, The Tribune’s popular Kids’ Page will go on-line, too, with an interactive section tailored to our younger readers.

And, as high school football season gets underway, scores will be posted on the web site as soon as the information is received in our newsroom.

When word began circulating that The Tribune’s web site was almost ready, we began receiving emails from across the country – emails from folks whose lives are tied to the area in one form or another and who have been searching for a way to keep in touch with their roots.

Here is an excerpt from one email:

"I have lived in Charlotte for six months now, and you have no idea what it feels like to be away from everything that has been ‘home’ to you for 18 years. I can’t wait for the web site to be available. It’s always nice to read about people and places that I am familiar with. Thanks again. The kindness you’ve shown is something that most of us Ironton folks possess and take for granted. But, you’ve just reminded me of how much I miss home. Time for a road trip."

In addition to local, state, national and international news, the web site will showcase The Tribune’s daily classified advertising, making the site truly an interactive marketplace for those who live near and far. The classified ads will be downloaded each afternoon, thus assuring you of the newest ads.

Within the next several weeks, readers will be able to place their classified ads via the web site, too, as well as charge the ads using their Mastercard or Visa credit cards. That means you will be able to place a classified ad in the middle of the night and be assured it will arrive in ample time to be included on both the web site classified pages and The Tribune’s classified pages. In addition to the thousands of individuals who read The Tribune’s classifieds each day, you will be reaching a totally new market through the on-line feature.

Other marketplace features coming soon include a real estate and Realtor page, restaurant guide, peopleplace – a forum for individuals to seek friends and romance, as well as a wide variety of advertising with links to the advertisers’ home pages.

www.irontontribune.com is an exciting addition to your local hometown newspaper. The site has been developed by a professional computer graphics designer and will be administered by The Tribune’s very able and talented Gina Fisher, new media editor.

We will be publicizing easy tips on how to incorporate The Tribune’s web site among your "favorites" as well as helping you utilize our site as your home page.

Stay tuned – this is just the beginning.

Jennifer Allen is publisher of The Ironton Tribune.