Online Version: 2010 Fairbanks Visitors Guide
December 9, 2009 | Tags: New Features
We are really excited to announce the release of the online version of our 2010 Fairbanks Visitors Guide. The printed version of the guide should be here before Christmas, visit our homepage request your free copy. Right now you can browse the embedded guide below and be sure to click in the center for a full-screen view. When you do you may zoom in on the text with one more click.
If you are in full-screen mode you can view thumbnails of the pages or print by moving your cursor to the top, where a menu will automatically appear. Links within the guide can also be clicked to visit websites or send e-mails.
Malware Attack – Hopefully Problems Solved
November 18, 2009 | Tags: Issues, Thanks
We wanted to pass along a quick note about the new website. We have experienced a malware attack over the past several days, resulting in some site irregularities and possibly even security warnings from your browser. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. We have been working diligently to get these problems solved. Every step has been taken to both eliminate potential threats and prepare for any future attacks.
Very capable security specialists are on the job right now. They have stabilized the site, which you should now be able to visit with no further disruptions.
Thanks very much to Louder Design for their diligent efforts to defend against the attack and restore the site quickly and thoroughly.
We will update you on further developments as they happen. Thank you for your patience with us in this matter.
Quick Immersive Gallery Demo
November 12, 2009 | Tags: Innovation, New Features, Photos, Video
We have been trying to explain some of the new features of ExploreFairbanks.com recently, beginning with the Immersive Photo Gallery. This video does a pretty good job showing you how it works:
Thanks to Louder Design for producing the video. Be sure you check it out now on ExploreFairbanks.com.
A “Shelf” of Fairbanks Issuu Publications
November 11, 2009 | Tags: Meetings, New Features, Publications, Winter
Issuu is one of our favorite services for presenting Fairbanks publications. In just a few minutes we can upload an entire project and have a beautiful, easy to use online magazine, which can be searched, clicked and zoomed in upon (if that makes sense). One of the latest Issuu features is the shelf, which allows publishers to display their entire collection. Ours is shown below; just click the one you want to see the full version.
We publish our Meeting Planner Guide, Visitors Guide and Winter Guide online with Issuu, with plans to do even more in the future. Check out the service if you do publishing of any sort – we’re certain you’ll be pleased. Also be sure to check out our guides for information on things to do, see and experience throughout Fairbanks and Interior Alaska.
ExploreFairbanks.com Immersive Gallery Follow-Up
November 5, 2009 | Tags: Innovation, New Features, Photos, Updates, Video
Yesterday’s post regarding the Immersive Gallery feature on our new website prompted a comment from Jay Baldemor of Louder Design. He offered a few additional user tips:
- While zoomed in to any photo or video, you can click on the center “visit this page” link to launch a new window where that photo or video is found, whether it’s a gallery page, article, business listing or event!
- Change your wall background color or image with a single mouse click!
- Don’t forget to check the other galleries by clicking the other checkboxes — The Immersive Gallery opens with only the Photos & Videos displayed by default.
The best way to get acquainted with our Immersive Gallery is to experience it for yourself. We will be doing some work on adding photos over the next few days, so we hope you’ll check back later too!
Favorites on the New ExploreFairbanks.com – Part 1
November 4, 2009 | Tags: Innovation, New Features, Photos, Video
Not all “new” websites are created equal. Some believe putting new paint on an old barn automatically makes it remarkable. We do not subscribe to that notion. Instead, we set out to re-think many of the key elements of our site, developing better ideas for presenting information about Fairbanks, Denali, Interior and Arctic Alaska. Louder Design did all of the heavy-lifting, with bothersome, consistent guidance from our team. In this series, we’d like to show you some of our favorite aspects of the all new ExploreFairbanks.com.
The Immersive Gallery with Full Screen Option
If you came to look at pictures or videos, we want you to see them without distraction. The Immersive Gallery gives you that opportunity. First, click the Immersive Gallery button (shown below) – then if you like, enlarge your view with the full-screen icon near the bottom right and see a wall of images from the category of your choosing. Click and drag to effortlessly cycle through the collection – then select a specific photo or video for larger viewing.
Every photo added to our albums in the future will appear in this immersive gallery that will eventually number in the hundreds. Magnificent mountain and wildlife shots, panoramic landscapes, event and attraction images and more. There are also some off-the-cuff video segments that were originally posted here on Inside Alaska and a few other surprises along the way.
As always, if there is anything else we can do to make this feature better, easier to use or even more impressive, let us know. We are very serious about making your experience the best it can be.
ExploreFairbanks.com – Innovative, thanks to Louder Design
November 2, 2009 | Tags: Innovation, New Features
When Jay Baldemor asked me to write a short testimonial about our experience with Louder Design, I was eager to do so. We were more than happy with the results of our new website and ready to tell the world about the great experience we had building it with Jay and the guys at Louder. Here’s a look at what I wrote:
When we first began searching for a vendor to build the new ExploreFairbanks.com, I remember saying I wanted someone who knew innovation wasn’t just a new paint job on old ideas. They needed to believe that a travel site could be better than “industry standard” – that meant re-thinking some of the key elements, asking tough questions and building things that had an impact on the visitor. When we found Louder Design, we found that company.
They viewed the site from a potential visitor’s perspective, brainstorming ideas for making their experience better. From the initial point of inspiration to an eventual decision to book their trip, the technology makes sense and it works.
That being said, it’s not enough to say “these guys know their stuff.” They also listen, bring several options to every discussion, execute plans to perfection and are an absolute joy to work with.
I’ll be giving a hearty endorsement for a long time to come…but my words will not tell the whole story. For that you must have a look at their design, see how their sites work, tinker a little with their terrific management tools and hear their fresh ideas. Testimonials are great, but hands-on experience will speak much, much Louder.
Chris Harper
Internet Coordinator
Fairbanks Convention and Visitors Bureau
There are a variety of reasons we think our new site is a cut above. A quick look at our homepage and a few clicks should give you a preliminary idea, but be sure to sign up for a myFairbanks account and start using the Trip Planner to recognize the real difference. It’s smart software that is useful and easy to use. We really think you’ll like it.
With that being said, we want to be sure we make changes that could help the site become even better. If you have thoughts on what we can do to add a dimension of new intelligence or functionality, please let us know. Louder and I will then put our heads together and see what we can work out. Contact me at any time with comments, suggestions or other input!
Inside Alaska Page on Facebook, Become a Fan
October 30, 2009 | Tags: Facebook, FriendFeed, Twitter, Vimeo, YouTube
With the launch of our new website, we have also expanded our social networking presence to Facebook. If you’re already an FB user, you can find us at facebook.com/insidealaska. If not, feel free to join and become our fan today!
Be the first to hear about many of our announcements, new feature roll-outs and contests by becoming a fan. We are also posting a ton of Fairbanks and Interior Alaska photos, videos and other items almost daily.
If you’d rather just show up here and find the latest, visit our breaking new page, which has all our recently posted items in chronological order. Those social networking addicts among us can find our profiles on:
Facebook | FriendFeed | Twitter | YouTube | Vimeo
Video: Morris Thompson Center Exhibits
August 4, 2009 | Tags: Alaska Native Culture, Attractions, Downtown, Video
The world-class exhibits scheduled to open later this month at the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center will become a must-see on any visit to Fairbanks. We were able to take a first walk-through last week. While dodging construction materials and overlooking some of the unfinished portions, we were still able to imagine the wonder and excitement of an Interior Alaska experience.
Just before starting the tour I was able to grab the video camera and catch a quick, rough-cut video that gives you nothing more than a taste of the upcoming final product. So…forgive the darkness and shaky camera work and think about how cool it would be to see all of this up-close!
The Morris Thompson Center Exhibits from insidealaska on Vimeo.
If you’d like to learn more about the mission and vision of the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center, take a look at their website.
Mt. Redoubt Volcano Updates
March 26, 2009 | Tags: Redoubt
You may have heard or read about the recent eruptions of the Mt. Redoubt volcano in South Central Alaska. Here are some links to sources with the very latest information:
- The Alaska Volcano Observatory – Latest Activity Report
- Airline Contact Information – Fairbanks
- Airline Contact Information – Anchorage
- KTUU Redoubt Watch – Latest News Articles and Video
Travelers should monitor the situation before altering or cancelling vacation plans. Most areas of the state remain unaffected by the volcano’s eruption.
Mt. Redoubt is located approximately 500 miles to the Southwest of Fairbanks.
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