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"ABC:
Capturing the web for everyman", by Greg Tingle
The
newly vamped ABC website is arguably Australia's
most impressive online representation of a news
media organisation. Certainly as far as Australian
television and radio broadcasters websites are
concerned, there is no equal.
ABC's website, or should that be portal, combines
a comprehensive blend of up-to-date news, functionality,
interactivity, history, entertainment and usability
to cater for an audience as diverse as everyday
Australians, educators, students, journalists,
TV and entertainment enthusiasts, sports aficionados,
technocrats and friends of the ABC, not only in
Australia, but around the world.
The ABC website is a massive, comprehensive accomplishment,
which has intelligently and effectively presented
in an online form. This has been achieved by using
all encompassing sub-categories. The clear and
well laid out website is an inviting home for
Australia's national broadcaster.
We must remember that the ABC has been a lifeline
for rural and metropolitan Australians for many
decades, and the website and series of subsites
reflects the rich ABC tradition, with the best
in convergent media.
Both city slickers and regional Australians will
feel at home whilst web surfing ABC Online. ABC
has effectively covered news and information in
all mediums, around Australia and the globe.
The ABC website is frequently updated, often on
the hour, to cater for the ever changing world
in which we live. From the latest in Iraq, to
the cutting edge in science and innovation, to
the glitz of the entertainment industry; it's
all here in text, audio and video.
The highly topical, technologically advanced broadband,
is far from forgotten. In fact, there is a dedicated
ABC Broadband section on the website, offering
a plethora of entertaining and innovative choices,
to cater for the most discerning entertainment
hungry online connoisseur.
The website is as functional, as it is informative.
Incorporating ABC's recognizable logo in the top
left corner, beside the ever present search box
facility, the website contains the inviting blend
of blue, black and white throughout. The presentation
indeed, maintains the website visitor's interest.
As you enter and explore the multi award winning
ABC site you are warmly invited to access the
"world at your fingertips". In fact,
who could resist the invitation to listen live,
via the Real Player technology? Many portions
of the site, such as Radio National, offer the
option of utilising windows media player, as the
media player of choice.
The ABC sends out e-mail newsletters to their
database, using permission based marketing with
the information they garner from the online newsletter
facility. Furthermore, who could resist the temptation
to sign the guestbook's and participate in online
forums on topics as diverse as war, technology,
environment, and media, to name but a few? There
is a resonating theme of audience participation
throughout ABC online.
One can also quickly glance at ABC's television
and broadcasting schedule, and in many cases,
with a click of the mouse, enjoy the programmes
via their internet connection.
A smorgasbord of archived video and audio news
and interviews is also offered in ABC Broadband
including Media Watch, Rage, and childrens' programming.
The community feeling is further enhanced by the
ABC free Community Noticeboard, where website
visitors can post information about upcoming community
events, in addition to accessing information about
such events in their part of Sydney.
Overall, ABC's website combines the definitive
mix of news, information, entertainment, and interactivity
for everyone.
To say that there is something here for everyone,
is somewhat of an understatement. The reviewers,
big supporters of "Aunty", nearly suffered
permanent "square eyes" whilst compiling
this review, but it worth it!
ABC online, number 1 in Australia on the box,
over the airwaves, and on the web!
ABC
Online at a glance:
News Online: Local, national and international
news at your fingertips.
Sport: Covering major national and international
sporting events.
Television: In depth information on programs,
personalities. Highly interactive.
Radio: Comprehensive listing of all ABC Radio
programming. Even listen online.
Broadband: Features video on demand. Includes
fast internet to video, audio, games and more
Kids: Children: "The Playground". 2
years and up.
Youth: Children: "Rollercoaster". 8
to 14 years.
Youth Online: "Fly net". Music, live
gigs, video games, reviews, news and more.
Science: "The Lab". The online home
to ABC TV and radio science programming.
Heath Online: "Heath Matters". News,
features and facts about health.
Rural Online: Rural issues and primary industry
news, features, weather and more.
ABC Where You Live: "Backyard". Local
information including news, weather. Multimedia
rich.
Indigenous and Torres Straight Islanders Online:
"Message Stick". Giving a voice to indigenous
Australians.
Education Online: "Learn Online". Resources
for students, teachers, parents and those who
just want to learn.
Arts and Culture Online: "The Space".
Information on arts and culture including news,
reviews, and features.
Religion Online: Information about most religions,
covering beliefs, philosophy, traditions and more.
Asia Pacific Online: Go Asia Pacific features
its own dedicated URL www.goasiapacific.com
News, current affairs, arts, culture and more.
ABC To You: ABC Shop Online. A wide range of ABC
products including books, videos, DVD's, Music
and more. Open 24 hours.
Going Digital: All about the digital television
revolution, from background to the future.
ABC Corporate: About The ABC. Information and
fact sheets about the ABC.
Links:
Mediaman: ABC Profile
Mediaman: Website Reviews
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