Make Kingstonist (Even) Better
Last March, on the 2nd to be exact, Kingstonist unveiled our new look, which presented a slightly revamped interface with a handful of new, useful features, and a lot more horsepower under the hood. Over the past six months we’ve been maximizing the use of the site’s new features: geo-tagging, hot topics, breaking news alerts, advertising and so on, while the compliments keep rolling in. We’ve done our best to keep the site moving in a positive direction over the years, but lately the team has been yearning for more features to keep Kingstonist exciting, informative and entertaining. In the past, we’ve been able to make some essential tweaks to the site thanks to the thoughtful insight of our readers. While we’d already asked our readers to weigh in what needs to change, today we’re going back to the well with the aim to make something happen in the near future. Accordingly, this weeks poll asks:
What feature is Kingstonist missing?
- Directory of Local Blogs, Businesses (33%, 32 Votes)
- Better Events Calendar (27%, 26 Votes)
- Daily Publishing (20%, 19 Votes)
- Movie Listings (15%, 14 Votes)
- Email Subscription (4%, 4 Votes)
- Something else entirely (1%, 1 Votes)
- Mobile App (0%, 0 Votes)
Total Voters: 96
Loading ...This past weekend we were brainstorming and trying to come up with another refined list of features that we should consider implementing. While many of this week’s poll options have been batted around in the past, one new idea failed to make the list because it was too good to put to a vote. With an eye towards expanding our collective local horizons and improving our respective enjoyment of the Limestone City, we’re proud to announce the launch of our new series titled: Kingstonist’s Challenge. This regular fixture will attempt to stimulate our readers and ourselves as we complete various social, cultural, environmental and other reasonable goals, with an eye towards the local scene.
Back to the matter at hand. How would you improve Kingstonist? What feature or information are we lacking, or could we otherwise improve upon? Please drop off your comments below.
Thanks to Britta Bohlinger for today’s photo.
Despite my occasional sparring match with Harvey (and maybe partially because of) I am a fan of the Kingstonist. It is usually my forth stop whenever i go online… after Facebook, Hotmail and Flickr (not counting Google). I really like the idea of daily publishing. I am something of a news junkie ( I subscribe to both the Globe and Mail and the Ottawa Citizen – my former employer) and having a fresh daily fix of news without having to resort to the Whig (sub) Standard would be welcome indeed. I am always disappointed to discover the same lead story two or three days running under the Kingstonist masthead. It would also be great to have some means of (moderated) direct input into the Kingstonist. i.e. an online version of Hyde Park where Kingstonist readers could initiate discussions and topics relevant to the community. Also on my wish list – in depth features including photo essays of local interest..there is a wealth of untapped material and talent in this town.
All great suggestions. We've wrestled for a while with the idea of a forum, bulletin board type of feature that would accommodate more user-generated conversation. I really do think it has value, however the amount of horse power required to moderate these types of things can be overwhelming. In case, we haven't closed the door on this quite yet. Just need to ensure we have a plan to distribute the work load required to foster a positive discussion.
I don't think you have that many trolls on the blog, Harvey.
In an unrelated manner I think Kingstonist could be improved by several features on bridges and the locations of any billy-goats gruff in the area.
I think you guys are doing a great job with Kingstonist. I subscribe to it with Google Reader so I don't miss a post. Some thoughts,
Produce more short youtube videos from around town e.g. derby girls games, snippets from live bands, RMC/ Queens/St Lawrence events, interviews with candidates, city hall etc. Local paparazzi stuff ;)
Contests/giveaways for any of the rockin restaurants in town.
Keep up the restaurant reviews. I enjoy when you uncover places that are a bit off the beaten path but worth our $, like KIF.