The Ionian has gone digital. After spending years in development, the Web site is finally up and running.

The idea to have an online edition of the newspaper was first proposed several years ago. Only recently has this idea been turned into a reality.

Vice Provost for Information Technology Joanne Steele worked closely with last year’s editor-in-chief James Hurley and current editor-in-chief Heather Nannery to develop the Web site.

The students had already begun working on the Web site when they came to Steele for help.

“James Hurley asked me to review the company’s proposal and for permission to outsource the Ionian’s site as many other schools has already done,” Steele said.

After months of waiting for the contract to be approved by Iona’s IT Committee, the Ionian was finally able to sign a contract with College Media Network, hosted by MTVU.

However, the work had just begun. “The most difficult parts are figuring out exactly what we want to do with the Web Site and the best way for us to take the print edition and make it an online edition,” Nannery said.

To make the Web site, Nannery uses a template created by MTVU and adds content from the Ionian.

“It’s an easy-to-use system, but it is just a matter of coming up with the best way to streamline the print edition and the Internet edition,” she said.

The Ionian Web site is a work- in-progress, and feedback from faculty, staff, students, and alumni will play a key role in the development of the site. More features will be added in the coming months, so Nannery encourages students and faculty to be sure to keep checking back to see what is new.

“One thing that I am looking to add in the future is an application that can show Iona through the years by featuring articles or photos from decades ago in Iona’s history,” Nannery said.

“James and Heather were looking for an effective technology solution that would enable reporters to share information and simplify the publication process. The Ionian Web site is now technologically positioned to deliver quality news in a timely manner,” Steele said.

One of the main goals of the website is to get students involved with the process. Students can participate in polls, comment on articles, and view archives. They can also share articles via e-mail, MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, and more. In addition, all of the articles in the print edition of the Ionian are on the site for students to read.

“I hope that the Web site will take the Ionian to the next level and enable the newspaper to increase readership as well as give them a vehicle for timely news reporting,” Steele said.

 

Check out this issue of the Ionian online at www.ioniannews.com.