Hello Oliver Daily News readers – allow me to introduce myself as the website developer behind Jack’s new website facelift.

My name is Laurena Rehbein, and I run Write this Down Freelancing, which is a graphic design and website development company. I have an office on Oliver’s Main Street and have been systematically improving local (and not-local) websites over the last several years.

Jack has asked me to write this note in part to introduce myself as the site developer but also to let you into the loop about a few of the features that we have installed.

First of all, one of the new features is a re-jigging of the “Comments” sections. You will now be allowed to comment on other people’s comments, and you can also now subscribe to follow comment threads – that means you can opt in (by checking the tick box when you comment) to have notifications delivered if there are further comments. You can also “unsubscribe” if you get tired of hearing about it.

A second big change is in the classified ad system. It’s not a hard system, but it is new – please take some time to have a look at how you will place an ad. For now, there are two categories of ads – “Under $999” and “Events.” I think eventually Jack might be convinced to open up the ads for higher-priced items, but everything in time.

A third big feature of the site redesign is that it is “responsive.” That means no matter what device you use to view to the site (mobile phone, iPad, or desktop computer of any size) the screen and contents will shuffle themselves around to be more suited to the format. That means you won’t have to squint if you are reading ODN on your mobile phone, as the content will be served up nicely laid out for your ease of use.

As part of the responsive design, I have also put into place an icon that will be displayed if you should choose to “Save to Desktop” or “Save to Home Screen.” That adds the icon right onto your device as a shortcut or a quick link to ODN.
Thank you for your patience while some of the bugs have been worked out with the new design and layout. I know there was a period of time yesterday where a small change made by the Publisher resulted in a bit of a herky-jerky effect, but that problem has now been solved and he has since been properly schooled so it won’t (shouldn’t) happen again.
I have been asked in the past if I work for Oliver Daily News, and I do not. I am an independent contractor, and Jack has hired me to do this work. I also sincerely appreciate that he brings his business to me as a local, and that he sends other clients my way.
If you would like to know more about what I have to offer, give me a call or come in and see me. I have a “button” ad on ODN – just click it and you will be taken to my website.