Update–Dec. 5: In addition to a desktop Widget and Twitter account, The Feather has added a Facebook page to its list of ways for readers to stay connected. The page will be updated frequently with new articles, events and pictures. To find it, search “The Feather Online” in Facebook’s search bar, then choose the first option and click “become a fan.”
The Feather Online aims to improve its readers’ experience by adding new features, content while continuing to provide fresh, daily content. Other features like podcasting continue to be published on an occasional basis.
Since implementing comics, podcasts and slide shows, the editors and Webmaster continue to release new material, including a daily comic strip called “Good Times.”
Comics originated in the 2008-09 school year; “The Teen Age,” written and illustrated by senior Daniel Hopper, included over 100 daily issues. However, he was unable to continue the comic this year.
The Feather Online has found a new artist to continue Hopper’s work: freshman Katie Barisic, who writes about twins Nick and Zack and their adventures in a fictional Fresno Christian. To view the comic, click on the “Daily Comic” icon on the right sidebar.
“I started doing the comic because I like drawing and I wanted to be part of the newspaper, so it’s a nice combination,” Barisic said. “It’s been a fun experience, but it’s been difficult at times. I don’t think I could get ideas without my sisters; the comedy comes from real life.”
Although Barisic gets inspiration from her family, she says finishing a detailed drawing every day is a challenge.
“I think I can keep up through the whole year, although it’s a struggle because I get lazy sometimes, and sometimes I don’t have ideas,” Barisic. “It’s worth it because I want to make [Greg] Stobbe [adviser] happy.”
In addition to frequently updated slide shows, audio slideshows will also be added to The Feather. Senior Paige Powell is one of the few people in charge of the multimedia update.
“Soundslides are basically slide shows,” Powell said. “The main difference is that Soundslides will have a sound or a narrative to go along with the pictures; they are there to tell a story or explain the event that happened.”
Podcasting on The Feather has also changed with the addition of “Sydney’s Sandbox,” a series by senior Sydney Ray. Buchanan High School sophomore Brooke Stobbe also maintains a show called “A View from the Outside.” To listen to either Podcast, click on “The Feather podcast” icon on the right sidebar.
Webmaster David Casuga works every day on improving the site’s media aspects, while editors focus on articles.
“I’m working on an iPhone application and the media page, which will contain all the comics, videos, pictures, slideshows, podcasts and downloads,” Casuga said. “We need a separate page because we’re working on a lot of multimedia and it’s cluttering up the sidebar. I’m totally excited because I need something to do, and it’ll improve The Feather Online a lot for our readers.”
The Feather has also maintained a Twitter profile that provides daily article updates. A Facebook page with similar links has recently been added, and an “Epic Fail of the Week” section is in the works.
Videos corresponding directly to stories are now imbedded in articles for easy viewing; however, they cannot be accessed on campus due to content blocks.
For those readers who wish to participate and communicate with the FC community, each article and photo has a comments box at the bottom. Additionally, readers can make comments through the “Contact The Feather” button at the top right menu bar underneath the weather forecast.
Finally, those who wish to keep abreast of the announcements and school news can do so by reading the Daily News at the top right menu bar.
For more information, e-mail adviser Greg Stobbe or read the March 27 article, Feather launches new features.
