Forum Topic

We have launched a new strategy for streamlining collaboration between NowPublic members on developing and ongoing stories. Staffers will place a common tag on related articles which will then generate a tag page which can be used to cover a developing story.

See here recent coverage of these ongoing events: Pakistan Protests, Georgia Riots, London Fires, and Bay Area Oil Spill.

If you notice a story or photo which relates to an ongoing story and is not tagged appropriately please post a comment here or contact me.

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ryan

at 08:43 on November 20th, 2007

Cyclone Sidr Coverage

tag: Sidr

JD Rucker

at 02:37 on May 11th, 2008

This makes sense, but is it possible to add a "Related Stories" section to each story. You would need editors to be able to place a separate link section at the bottom of a page (or you could do it automatically with a script). Even better, have it close to the top just above photos and videos.

Example:

Severe weather kills 16 in Missouri, Oklahoma

Tiny Oklahoma Town Almost Destroyed as Tornadoes Rampage; At Least 19 Dead in OK & MO

While we're discussing it, there could be a "Further Research" section at the bottom or below the related section. In this case, a script would almost have to be utilized to scrape back over the past X months and look for stories with similar tags. These stories won't be directly related, but of further interest if people want to dig deeper.

Example:

Tornado touches down in Virginia

PEP

at 02:52 on May 11th, 2008

Good ideas, JD. In the past, I've tried to encourage cross-lining and sharing. I had hoped that something could be developed for the Olympics, as I said here.

I used to spend a lot of time making sure I added a cross-link on my stories to other NP contributors. I also always back-linked my stories, so that if you read something on a topic now, but I'd done prior stories, you could just follow the links.

When links were cross-posted between NP contributors, either in comments or in the story text area, it created a continuing reference. However,the problem is that others have to do it to make it work. I just got tired of making sure I commented on other related stories, cross-linked, etc. and wound up being a one-girl marching band. Yea, the uniform was cute and all that, but it took lots of time and kinda stalled out.

nukemdomis

at 16:28 on May 27th, 2008

I've started putting related links right above the "go to original story" link because it seems to be the best spot for them right now. A script would be perfect.

Example of how I've used a related link...(attack birds story)