The long-awaited move by APSE to start judging Web content has been finalized. For the first time, APSE will award the best Web sites by member newspapers.
Member newspapers will be judged in two categories: over 1 million unique monthly users and fewer than 1 million unique monthly users. Newspapers can verify the monthly users just like circulation numbers are done for writing and daily contests.
Random dates will be chosen in December (only known to judges) to view a newspaper’s Web site. A newspaper entry can have multiple Web sites for sports. A form letter should be included to explain to judges.
Web sites will be evaluated using three areas:
Content: Stories and multimedia components (55 percent).
Design: The look, feel and navigation of the Web site (35 percent).
Interactive: Use of comments, polls and other elements for visitors (10 percent).
The top 10 Web sites will be chosen with another 10 selected for honorable mention in both divisions.
The deadline to enter is Monday, Nov. 30. To enter, include in an e-mail your newspaper name, division (over or under 1 million), Web site link or links, form letter if necessary to explain Web sites to judges, and contact information. Send contest entry to philkaplan2002@yahoo.com.
Gerry Ahern of Yahoo.com will coordinate the online judging and will use the expertise of associate members that specialize in Web sites.
There was consideration of judging best multimedia project produced by a member newspaper. The overall feeling was to make sure the Web site judging was done correctly and use the experience from this process to add that category and possibly others for the next contest.
Judges will be needed for the writing and section contest. Judging will take place March 6-10 in Kissimmee, Fla.. The hotel is the Radisson WorldGate.
The room rate has been lowered from $109 to $99.
Go to www.worldgateresort.com to make your reservations or call toll free at 866-705-7676.
We have already selected two mandatory dates. Weekday is Tuesday, Feb. 24. Sunday is April 5. Two more dates will be selected before the end of the year.
If you plan to be a judge or have any questions about judging or the process, please contact me.
