In the vault

Click to listen and learn!

We have a few shows under our belt now. It's all public affairs programming so far, and it's all live. Thanks to all of you for making our launch a great success.

Like you, I'm always suspicious of people offering me "toolbars." Why would I hand a piece of my browser window to someone else?

But the community toolbar we're offering here might just be your ticket to the connections you need. Here's the current news ticker : "DNA Sells White House Center; Mayor Says City Will Throw End-of Summer Concert; Carroll to Stay On With City; Cassidy Challenges CM Price Over Slanders, Price Claims Entitlement to His "Opinion," Though He May Be Wrong; Council Disses Constitution; County Exploring New Income Tax; Heard on New Albany Now."

If you've listened to our most recent shows, you knew that. If you missed them, you can still listen to them in our archives.

The toolbar also includes a direct link to New Albany Now, always available anytime your browser is open. We don't even begin to try to change your home page (although we have a few suggestions). But, for example, if you want to know if NA Confidential, NA Girl, Shadow5, or the Highwaymen have a new blog post, the toolbar alerts you. It also gives you a dedicated pull-down menu to access this blog and others. The Tribune has its own feed, although they seem to be neglecting it. And we have your local weather available at a glance.

What I'm using most on this new community toolbar is a subtle reminder of which of my several e-mails have unread content. I don't have to open my e-mail program - I just glance up at the toolbar to see if there is anything new. There's even a subtle tone that sounds when a new one arrives. Of course, you would insert your e-mail accounts.

And every search (Google) puts a fraction of a penny toward keeping New Albany Now alive and growing. Download it. If you don't find it keeps you in touch with the New Albany communities, tell us what you'd like it to include. Or remove it if it doesn't deliver on its promise.

Our next scheduled and confirmed show is July 22 at 6 p.m. But I'm certain we'll be on the air before then, so check back with us. You can always check our schedule (and listen to the latest or on-the-air show) at our blogtalkradio hosting site.

You've noticed that banner above, right? It's an easy way for you to support the show at no cost to you. The toolbar you download, if you use it, is a branded community toolbar that reminds you about the show. Using that toolbar to do your searches provides New Albany Now with a micropayment. The site links allow you to browse your usual Web sites, but easily find the show and this blog.

Our RSS feeds will tell you when your favorite New Albany interest sites, including the most influential blogs, are updated with new content. That includes The Tribune, although it seems their RSS feed site is being ignored. Let us know if we're overlooking an important local source of information that provides RSS feeds.

The ticker is our place to offer you news without filling your inbox with e-mails. We'll scroll important information, show announcements, and community news alerts there. The toolbar also has an easy way for you to be online and notice when new e-mail is received. Local weather is available any time you have your browser window open.

And we'll be customizing it further to make it truly a local resource. We welcome your suggestions for links.