Thanksgiving has passed, but I’ve long thought that the whole holiday swirl, from late November through New Year’s Day, is a time to give thanks.
So let me praise those who, over the years, have helped YourArlington. That assistance, coming in many ways, has been a series of presents to me.
As the site observed its seventh birthday on Tuesday, Dec. 10, I want you to know how much I appreciate them.
Let me count the ways:
— Since 2006, nearly 500 have registered to the site — there are 418 current users — and a number of have contributed news and opinion.
— Many have offered unsolicited news tips, which have led to published stories.
— Some have made helpful suggestions about how to improve the site. I have tried to be open to all, though I do have to remind some that I have no large staff to carry out the ideas.
— Colin Campbell volunteered for two years to provide police reports, because he was interested in police news.
— Since mid-2006, Scott Samenfeld, a neighbor, has provided his consulting services to the site’s tech side.
— My wife, Marjorie Howard, a former reporter at the Boston Herald, has contributed news features.
— There are others, but I would also like to single out someone I cannot name. Despite my views about identity, the person prefers to remain anonymous.
This experienced software professional has donated his time for months this year to improve matters that you may not think about — how fast the site loads and whether you are seeing the latest stories.
These are matters handled behind the scenes, and this “wizard of Oz” has led the site down improving paths. I give thanks for that.
Now for some recent history and a look ahead
YourArlington has been an alternative online source of local news and opinion since Dec. 10, 2006.
In the past year, the site has seen continued growth among readers who follow its Arlington-focused news and opinion. See the numbers here, and advertisers should take note. See current rates here >>
Far lower than rates at Patch and WickedLocal, they are scheduled to rise next year.
In 2013, advertisers have included Leader Bank, ACMi (since 2008), John Brewer’s Tavern, Computer Cafe. Pompeo Insurance, Arlington Friends of the Drama and Spectacle Management, as well as local political candidates.
In January 2013, the site continued to improve its look, and, through the year, continued to expand Your View, the site’s only blog, a well as the place for user’s comments. The site continues a popular column of restaurant review written by Arlington residents.
In 2013, YourArlington joined LION Publishers (Local Independent Online News Publishers), a national organization representing hyperlocal Website.
This move extends the expansion of the website’s reach through a partnership with news outlets in Medford (InsideMedford.com) and Cambridge (Cambridge Day). That will continue in 2014, as the partners move toward more three-site advertising (a current agreement with Spectacle Management continues through April). In 2013, YourArlington and InsideMedford had joint advertising with Leader Bank, John Brewer’s Tavern.
YourArlington has been a partner of Boston.com’s Your Town sites since January 2010. With that connection, YourArlington’s main content connects via a feed to Boston.com.
In 2014, the site aims to continue to improve how the site is viewed on mobile devices, a move that began last March, via Dudamobile. Iin the new year, the site’s platform, open-source Joomla!, will migrate to the latest version, 3.2, designed for mobile devices.
The site’s main goal remains, as it has always been, to welcome Arlington residents to report — and express opinions about — their town.
As for content, watch for features that focus on people, familiar and unfamiliar, as well as continuing Arlington news that offers angles competitors miss.
Is there a viewpoint you believe other local media is not expressing or a story it is not telling? Join and share. Your voice is welcome.
This informative self-promotion and praise was published Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013.
