Measuring the relaunch of latimes.com
Online editor Meredith Artley files this update after hearing from several hundred readers:
Less than 24 hours ago we launched a new latimes.com. We’ve been reading the feedback very closely, including comments on this journal, on Twitter and via regular old e-mail.
The majority of the feedback is positive, which is music to our ears. There are also some vocal voices who prefer the old site. We appreciate hearing from so many savvy readers who care about news presentation, design and navigation. Here are the most common complaints and what we are doing about them:
I can’t find the crossword puzzle/Sudoku…
You can find both in the black navigation bar at the top of every page in the “Games” section, which is available under the “More” tab. We also added it as the last item under “Living” in the text navigation at the bottom of every page.
Where are the obits?
A link to the obituaries section can be found in both the local and national sections. And we added it to the text navigation at the very bottom of every page, under “News.”
Where is the print edition?
Virtually all stories that appear in the printed version of The Times continue to be found on the site. An image of page one of the newspaper is updated daily at latimes.com/print. At that link, you can also find home delivery information and links to the e-edition, Kindle services and archive search services.
Where is California and local news?
You can find our outstanding local coverage by clicking “Local” in the navigation bar. You will find continuous coverage there, including our breaking news blog, LA Now, other daily coverage and recent special projects.
Meredith Artley
Managing Editor, Online
Los Angeles Times
The TV Listings...go back to the old listing setup.
Like today...Friday...where is CHANNEL 9 ? NO LISTING FOR THE
LA DODGERS.
The alphabetical listing the way you have it now is confusing...put in Channel
Number order, Channel 2, Channel 3 etc.
Posted by: BOB STROCK | August 14, 2009 at 10:06 AM
With the old format I could key in the word "weather" and one of the offered selections was a detailed page where I could look up weather, current and prognosticated, by zipcode. Now all I get are three choices none on which is what I got before, and one of which necessitates my giving them my mobile phone number (something I don't have and wouldn't give out if I did)! How do I get to what I used to be able to get to so very easily??
Posted by: Longtime Reader | August 14, 2009 at 05:42 PM
And still, the sports ribbon has
Lakers Dodgers Angels USC UCLA Clippers High Schools MLB NBA NFL NHL
and plenty of empty slots but no GALAXY, CHIVAS or MLS?????
Posted by: Peg | August 15, 2009 at 08:41 AM
Sure do miss the "most emailed" stories page. Listing five of them in a sidebar isn't nearly as useful and cannot be bookmarked. Please, just one bookmarkable page with the most viewed/most emailed stories.
Otherwise the look is nice-- I can't tell you how much hated gray text on white. Hard on the eyes, you know.
Thanks,
Sam
Posted by: Sam | August 15, 2009 at 01:44 PM
The one thing I miss is the option to read an article in a single page. It's distracting to have to hit "next" at the bottom of a screen.
Thank you.
Posted by: Andrea | August 16, 2009 at 09:01 PM
The horizontal top menu bar is very frustrating to use. The user frequently has to scroll all the way across the screen to select a destination, for example Local/Environment. Local is at the far left of the screen. Hover over Local for a second and more options appear underneath. Environment is at the far right. Unless you scroll perfectly straight to the right, the user will either a) accidentally move upward and activate a different top-level menu item which changes the content of the sub-menu or b) accidentally move downward and make the sub-menu disappear.
Yes, one option is to click on the top-level menu item, then on the subsequent screen the sub-menu items will be static, but that is poor design and a time-waster. Remember that the solution with the least amount of mouse movement is usually the best.
Please consider revising the top-level menu to display the sub-menu in a vertical format, similar to Microsoft Office application. Those with physical difficulties will be grateful.
Posted by: elf | August 17, 2009 at 08:32 AM
I need the print editon.
Cant find Aug 16 issue. I need an Aug 16 article.
No provision made for accessing previous days of the week!!!!
This is the most reader unfriendly format!!!
It may look great but it does not serve the readers
Posted by: Tanja | August 17, 2009 at 05:04 PM
The new look is clean and crisp. Your staff did an excellent job of layout, it is appealing to the eye.
Posted by: Denise Simpson | August 17, 2009 at 05:14 PM
This is a big improvement. I can find things a bit quicker. Also, the new format just looks better.
Posted by: Steve Richards | August 18, 2009 at 06:50 AM
Where's the letter's to the editor section.
Posted by: Joe | August 18, 2009 at 11:25 AM