Below are the answers to some frequently asked questions about valleynews.com. Remember, whenever you’re using valleynews.com, feel free to contact the valleynews.com staff.
Who can use valleynews.com?
Anyone on the Web can read stories on valleynews.com. But, if you want to post a story, you have to register.
Who writes the stories?
Members of valleynews.com staff will write some stories and gather links to stories from different places, but mostly community members like yourself write the stories and take the photos. That’s why we need your help building valleynews.com.
Is there anything beside the Web site?
Valleynews.com is also a weekly section produced by the Daily News. The best stories, photos and news from the Web will be published each week in print and delivered to subscribers of the Daily News. Sections will be delivered throughout your metro area.
How are stories selected to be in the valleynews.com section of the Daily News?
Journalists from each area review all of the entries every week and select the most interesting and topical entries. If you are interested in being in the valleynews.com section, it’s best to include high-resolution photos with your entries and be very descriptive in describing your stories and photos.
How do I get valleynews.com delivered to me?
In order to receive the valleynews.com section you have to subscribe to the Daily News.
How do I get started?
Select the community where you live from the menu at the top-left part of the page and follow the instructions to register. From there, it’s all yours. If you're already registered, click on the links at the top right part of the page to start adding stories, events and more.
What will you do with my personal information?
Your personal information you provide to us by registering will not be used by anyone other than valleynews.com. We need information like your address and phone number so we can contact you when we decide to put one of your stories or events in the newspaper section of valleynews.com. Rest assured, your personal information is safe and will not be sold to any other company.
When and why will you be contacting me?
We may contact you any time your stories or events are added to the newspaper section of valleynews.com. Occasionally, valleynews.com will also e-mail you about contests or new features on the site.
How do I add stories or photos?
This is the place for you to share your stories and photos with your community. Click on the ‘Stories’ link at the top-left part of the page. Then follow the step-by-step instructions. If you have any trouble along the way, click on HELP for more information. Once you’ve added a story, it will be accessible to all valleynews.com visitors. They can find it through the search tools at right.
How do I share my opinion about people, places or events in my community?
This is the place for you to share your opinion or reviews. Click on the ‘Blogs’ link at the top-left part of the page. Then follow the step-by-step instructions. If you have any trouble along the way, click on HELP for more information. Once you’ve added a story, it will be accessible to all valleynews.com visitors. They can find it through the search tools at right.
How do I add an event to my community’s calendar?
This is the place for you to add events to your community’s calendar. The events will be shared with all valleynews.com visitors – so make sure to give clear instructions about where and when events are held. Click on the ‘Events’ link at the top-left part of the page. Then, follow the step-by-step instructions. If you have any trouble along the way, click on HELP for more information. Once you’ve added an event, it will be accessible to all valleynews.com visitors. They can find it through the search tools at the left or the calendar on the valleynews.com home page.
How do I find the stories or events I created on valleynews.com?
All of your entries are in one easy place. Look under ‘My Stuff’ at the top-left part of the page for a list of your entries.
How do I edit my stories or events?
You can make changes to anything you add to valleynews.com. First, select what you want to edit from the list at the top-left part of the page. From there, select the specific entry and make your changes. Any changes you make will appear immediately on valleynews.com.
What if I want my photos to run in the valleynews.com print edition?
Most image sizes look great online at valleynews.com. However, for a photo to work for publication in the valleynews.com print edition, it has to be a certain quality and size. An ideal image for print publication is 2,000 by 1,312 pixels, or an eight megabyte uncompressed digital image. This is the size required for the large images seen on the covers of our print editions. Images that run on other pages of the print edition can be smaller – a minimum of three megabytes. To get the best quality image, set your digital camera setting at large/fine. For more information, refer to your camera's instruction manual.
If you have more questions, please e-mail valleynews.com editor Mark Kellam at mark.kellam@dailynews.com.