Under the Hat: New Birth - WICU12/WSEE Erie, PA News, Sports, Weather and Events

Under the Hat: New Birth

A new beginning is underway here at the stations of Lilly Broadcasting as we unveil a new combined website for both WICU-TV and WSEE.

The idea of the staff splitting up and trying to maintain two separate sites was proving to be counterproductive.

A new design with more powerful tools backed by a combined staff makes a lot more sense and the hope is that no matter where you get your TV news that you will find the website to be more useful and user friendly as well.

While I have no interest in comparing pain thresholds with all the moms out there, as part first the design and later the implementation teams, this was not an easy birth.

I am not a code writer; not an internet technology expert. I provide content to people through what paths are available, but as computer skills go, it's a struggle to stay up with my 11-year old.

You would not believe the push and pull that went into even the headline banners, simple ribbons of color with the logos and the brand promise that we will deliver news, weather, sports and more all day.

The result may be clean and simple but the road to get there was anything but.

It turns out that when the possibilities are endless, so is the debate.

The site also features high tech interactive live radar.

Rob Wilson talks in excited tones about all the bells and whistles that come with that, of how you can track storms and follow temperature trends and even look in on remote cameras operated by storm chasers.

For me it does a good job because it answers my most basic of questions:

Hey! Am I going to be able to golf Saturday or not?

A web site is no longer a little added perk for viewers; these days it is an indispensable tool to communicate with people who trust you to give them not only what they need, but when and where they need it.

So when you get a minute check out the new baby.

And we'll be tweaking things as we go, so don't be afraid to drop us a line, and tell us what you think.

scott.bremner@wsee.tv