Frequently asked questions

What is the "standard edition"?
The standard edition introduced in June 2002 is an HTML version much like our old Web pages, but with a different look that matches our enhanced (replica) version's framework. The main page displays a lead item from each of the day's major news sections. The headlines and section headings are clickable links, just as on our old home page. Blue bars on the left of the page also link to the news sections. Each section index gives headlines, first paragraphs and bylines as before, but in more legible type. The search box has been streamlined at the top left of the page. Type a search string and hit the "Go News" button to find any item from the past seven days or in our specialty sections.

How does the "standard edition" differ from the old HTML version?
It has a wider framework.
Northwest articles are in the all-inclusive Arkansas section.
Religion is in the Saturday Arkansas section.
Weekend is in Friday Style.
Business Matters is in Sunday Business.
Photos and editorial cartoons are not yet included.
Direct links to past days are not available. Articles from past days are available to the search engine, but readers need some idea of what to search for.
It's posted later. Because of production constraints, the enhanced state edition usually cannot be posted much before 4 a.m. Central, and the standard edition cannot be posted until after the enhanced edition.

What is the "enhanced edition"?
The enhanced edition is a compilation of page reproductions, including advertisements, in Portable Document Format. The elements of a page are clickable and separately viewable in either text or image formats. An entire edition may be downloaded in "Page High Res" format, a PDF version of the edition. The article view window also has icons to e-mail a link to the article to a friend or to prepare a printer-friendly version.

How do I navigate the "enhanced edition"?
Scrolling over the page will highlight pieces of the page in blue on a PC. The highlighting is absent on a Macintosh, but the function is the same. Clicking on a piece will bring it up in a preview window; clicking on a headline will bring up the entire article and associated text or images in a display window. The display window offers a choice of views: text (HTML) or paper (image of the article and all associated elements as they appear on the newsprint page).
In the blue bar near the top of the browser window, date and section pulldowns and a page number box with forward and back arrows allow access to any page in any section in the chosen issue. The red bar at the top of the page offers the choice of Northwest or State edition.
At the left of the browser window are navigation buttons to "Quick Headlines," providing easy access to selected items from the news sections.

Does this work on all Web browsers?
Older browsers do not comply with all of the Web standards used in the new framework. Internet Explorer 5.1 and Netscape 6 or newer are recommended. PC and Macintosh versions differ slightly: The Macintosh does not have the highlighting feature in the enhanced edition.

What if my browser doesn't show the State/Northwest choice or I can't see the page-number box?
Upgrade to Internet Explorer 5.1 or Netscape 6 or newer.

Does connection speed matter?
The enhanced edition works best on DSL or cable connections; a 56K modem is recommended. Downloads will be slower on anything less than a 56K modem.

When are the daily editions available?
Our target is to have all online editions available by 6 a.m., to coincide with our newsprint porch delivery. The enhanced editions are produced after the newsprint editions go to press, and the standard edition is produced from the enhanced editions. Generally, the state edition will be available around 4 a.m. Central. The Northwest edition will usually be available by 5:30 a.m., though it may be as early as 4 a.m. The standard edition generally will be produced last, but a version without Northwest items may sometimes be produced shortly after the state enhanced edition. All editions should be available by 5:45 a.m.

Do you have a visual guide to the enhanced edition?
See our guided tour at http://epaper.ardemgaz.com/tutor/demo.htm. Some minor cosmetic changes have been made to the framework since it was created, but the major functions are clearly outlined. It requires that Macromedia's free Flash player be available on your system.

How do I find obituaries, a favorite columnist, daily record, etc.?
The easiest way is always to use the search engines. In the standard edition, use the box at the top left of the page. Type obituaries and hit the "Go News" button for links to every file from the past seven days containing the word obituaries. To search for a phrase, enclose it in quotes: "daily record" or "World Series". In the enhanced edition, use the search engine in the horizontal navigation bar at the top of the page. It is a "Find" box on Macintoshes, and a "Search" button on PCs.

How do I switch between editions?
The standard version displays "electronic replica" icons linking to the enhanced editions at the top right of index pages. The enhanced editions contain "standard edition" links above the advertisers box at the top right of the browser page. The default edition can be changed using the "Member Services" pulldown menu in the navigation bars at the left of the page.

Why do you charge a subscription fee?
Very simply, it costs us money and effort to produce the online editions. Web advertising alone does not cover the costs, and it seems unfair to us to charge newsprint readers in our core market for this information and then to offer it free to a global audience.

What are the subscription choices?
Newsprint subscribers are granted free access to online editions, but must register so that we may verify the subscription data. Readers may take one of several levels of newsprint subscription or an online-only option. All subscriptions include online access to articles from the past seven days. Older articles are retrieved from our electronic archive, which requires separate registration.

Why do you ask subscribers for personal information and what do you do with it?
We ask about the age range and sex of our subscribers so that we can have a general picture of our audience in aggregate and to aid in compliance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998. We do not divulge or examine individual information; it is only examined in aggregate. We may occasionally share collective audience information with third parties, such as advertisers.

How do I find articles more than seven days old?
Older articles are retrieved from our self-serve electronic archives for a small fee per article. The archives require a separate registration with a credit card number through a secure server connection.