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An Idea for Print Publishers
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One Small Clarification
9/7/2002 9:03:20 AM
Posted By: Jade Walker

The Web version of The Times does this on the Op-Ed page, the dead tree version does not. However, in the past few months, The Times has been adding more Web reefers to its online content. A perfect example is a URL leading readers to full-text versions of speeches. You can read the excerpts in the paper, but then a link will point you to the Website for the complete text.

Op-Ed Links
9/7/2002 8:59:27 AM
Posted By: Jade Walker

The New York Times on the Web (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/opinion/index.html) already does this. It's extra work, but definitely something our readers appreciate.
Service and cross promotion
9/6/2002 7:30:47 PM
Posted By: Rick Brown


I agree that the ideal would be to link the online Letter to the Editor back to the original article or
earlier letter, and I try to do that when I have time. However, Steve's item specifically asked if
anyone has been placing URLs to earlier articles in their print edition. I agree with the comment
that, even if the URLs are short, readers will find it awkward to access a computer and manually
type it in. Cue Cat codes to facilitate such interactivity haven't really caught on. Nevertheless,
the true value of such an endeavor might be the psychology of ongoing cross promotion. Even if
the reader never uses such a reference, he sees that the newspaper is a service that makes it
easier to find additional information that's online and learns that he can go online anytime to retrieve
previous material. That promotes the strengths of both products.
Also on editorials
9/6/2002 5:42:59 PM
Posted By: John Wake

I hate it when an editorial refers to an article in a previous issue. A link would be ideal.

Re: Robert Spears' comments
9/6/2002 1:57:34 PM
Posted By: Adrian Holovaty

I agree that the Maneater links would be better off as inline links rather than a "related links" sidebar. When I set up that system, the creation of "related links" boxes was automated, which saved a lot of production time. Unfortunately, automating the creation of inline links is nearly impossible, given style inconsistencies. Putting links in a standalone box was the best compromise.
Archived Haystacks vs. URL Needles
9/6/2002 1:39:08 PM
Posted By: Robert Spears

Although I agree that it would be a good thing to make it easier for print and online readers to find related articles mentioned in letters to the editor, I disagree with the approach. I would recommend that newpapers simply promote the online archive of letters (e.g. letters.newspaper.com) as the place to find related information. Not all letters will refer to a specific article, and no matter how short URL's are, they will most likely hinder readability. (An article keyword system might be more user-friendly, but I would question the long-term benefits based on the required work to do this). Also, I doubt that a high percentage of offlline readers frequently go online to find an article mentioned in these letters. Why create extra work without evidence of significant benefits or without exploring simpler and more effective solutions? (Perhaps a better project to pursue would be an online letters-to-the-editor submission system that is better for both submitters and editors).

If an article is going to be mentioned, I think the headline and date would be sufficient. (Dates and headlines are easier to remember than URL's. And print readers may already have what they are looking for in their recycling bin). If an online user cannot find an article based on this information, then the given site most likely has an ineffective search engine.

Regarding the Maneater example, I would recommend that the hyperlinks be embedded in the letters. (Each letter has a specific reference to an article without a corresponding hyperlink). At first glance, the blue related-articles box appears unrelated to the article, and related to another blue box.
It's been done before
9/6/2002 12:08:07 PM
Posted By: Adrian Holovaty

We did this back in 2000 when I was in charge of themaneater.com, the U. of Missouri's student news site. Links to original articles appeared in a "Related stories" box at the top of the right rail.

Example 1
Example 2
Example 3

Unfortunately, you make a good point -- not many other sites take the time to do this. I attribute it to laziness. :)
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