The Alaskan Way Viaduct is about to close for nine days for the beginning of it's end.  This is the largest closure on the structure since the Nisqually earthquake.  I thought it would be fun to compare and contrast the different ways local news are putting information together to assist people with what is happening and showing them how to get around the closure.

WSDOT - you know I have to throw this one in there, didn't work on it personally but I worked with the team on the concept.

Seattle Times - It's interesting to note that they decided #viadoom should be the hashtag they track on this page. For a bit of history, I worked with KING, KIRO and KOMO to determine a hash tag and we all agreed to do a public poll to find one.  As a result of the poll #viacondios was chosen (more than 150 people took the poll).  However, Seattle Times commented that "they wanted a separation of church and staff" and refuse to use the hash tag #viacondios. 

KOMO

KING

KIRO - they did something a little different.  They posted a tab on their homepage and put links to various resources within that tab. I wonder if they lose out a bit because there isn't a specific resource to link to?   Of course they decided to maximize the network of their traffic reporter Jenni Hogan who created a survival guide.  I think it's interesting that KIRO is the only one who promoted an individual, rather than a brand as being the lead for information, sure she definitely has the network but does that place too much emphasis on that one person?

What do you think? Did I miss one? Who's page do you prefer the most?

We get an email like this maybe once every year, but boy is this one a doozy.  Don't even know where to start on a response.

I ran across a link to a clever website today via @moniguzman on Twitter and I couldn't help but try to get in: http://theworldsmostexclusivewebsite.com/.  My curiosity got the best of me (which is, I suppose, their intent). I double checked first to make sure the app wouldn't tweet on my behalf and once I discovered it didn't, stepped through the first door by clicking on a 'Sign in via Twitter' button.  The following is what it looked like.

In order to get through the first site, your Twitter account must be verified. Check, made it through the first door.  What is interesting to note is at the top of the picture it names everyone else who has stepped through the door.  A virtual VIP list of those who have qualified.  That top name mention stayed with you through each step of the process.

In order to get through the second door you must have at least 5,000 followers.  Check, made it through that door.

In order to get through the third door, you must have at least 25,000 followers.  Darn, 10,000 shy.  A clever popup message displayed letting me know to come back when I get more popular. Oh well, worth a shot, and kind of fun to attempt to satisfy my curiosity.

On a funny side note, I tried to log in to the site with my personal account, which isn't verified, and the site redirected me to http://olivegarden.com!  Very funny, and very clever.

(download)

Click here to download:

the-world-s-most-exclusive-website-in-pictures-BjxBsGvwpiqmrrhBlzfq.zip (243 KB)

It feels great to be recognized by peers.

I was very glad we could be a part of this story, it was really amazing how many people noticed the dog running across the 520 bridge and thought to mention it on Twitter.   A post from the Eastlake blog followed and the dog was found and returned to it's owners.   It seems more and more each day that someone will always be there when something happens...and choose to say something about it through social media networks.  We are all connected.