The Times Launches Web Site

http://www.the-times.co.uk/

The Times is the first of Rupert Murdoch’s News International titles to go on the Internet. The site launched on 1 January, and will be followed on Sunday 7 January by the Sunday Times.

The Times has gone one step further than most press-related Internet sites in that the whole paper is on the net every day, rather than just selected headlines and features. The impressive site is easy to use, with the paper organised by categories of news, features etc in the design of clickable folder dividers which works well, albeit rather heavy on the graphics which tends to make the site somewhat slow.

As well as the main paper each day, other features include an interactive section, with searchable classified ads, and an all-day news service, something lacking in the Electronic Telegraph, for example. Other features are planned, including the “Personal Times” which will allow surfers to create an interactive version of their own choice; ie the top business news only plus football headlines or whatever is of interest.

The site is free to use, and includes the Times Higher Educational Supplement Internet Service, or THESIS, and an interactive version of the daily crossword.

There are ads for Sun Microsystems and Peoplebank, recruitment consultants.

According to Simon Jones, Commercial Manager, the e-mail response since Monday has been “huge”, despite no real promotion. A feature is planned in this week’s Sunday Times Innovation section.