The new ‘Grok’ is working and populated with data, but we’re still working on some backend stuff and a few moving-day issues. The plan is to go live today, but I wanted to offer a few more updates before that happens.
First, we will still be using the DISQUS commenting system at launch. Some things need to happen before we can move to WordPress commenting. You’ll know it when you see it.
What’s Different
For those looking to ‘Grok Maine, the all-new MaineGrok page will be live upon launch.
We’ve backfilled it with existing Maine content, so there’s something to see. All the new Maine Stuff will be available by selecting Maine from the Menu (on the main menu).
You can also’Grok Vermont from there or go directly to all the New Hampshire-centric stuff by clicking the state name. If you want to drill down to the NH microgrok level, hover and then select a town or region.
You can jump directly to our news and opinion on US news (National) or globally focused (World) from the header or scroll down to the categories on the home page for a preview of the most recent content.
The Home page also has a Grok New Hampshire and a Grok New England section. The latter will also include the VT, ME, and NH Content WHILE the state pages will be restricted to state-specific content.
More on Navigation
When on category pages, you can drill down and switch between subcategories within them in the header or by using the drop-downs.
Here’s a look at the New Hampshire page header and the bar with quick links to the NH microgroks.
Post pages (the stuff you come to read) look the same but are lighter, a bit cleaner, and have fewer ads (though I’ve not seen the new ad package live yet). We will add our own ads to the right, as usual, when we have them.
And yes, we still need ads and expect to identify other forms of revenue until we get the VIP side up (no timeline yet) and find some generous patrons to prop us up so we can keep all the free speech and independent media things moving right along. On that note, we have a beautiful new donation page.
Carolyn and I are working through the last-minute issues (there are always a few), but the new site should be accessible to you later today – tomorrow at the latest: new content is scheduled in both, so the old site will keep updating until the new one goes live.
And yeah, there will be tweaks and adjustments that don’t have anything to do with the actual form or function. The goal is to make sure we’re here for you (we are!) and sharing the news and opinion, you can only get on the ‘Grok.
