Shetlink
Shetlink is an online community and web portal serving the Shetland Islands. Administered, moderated and funded by volunteers, the website includes local news feeds, discussion forums and an events calendar
News feeds
The Shetlink homepage features news feeds from The Shetland News, The Shetland Times, Shetland Marine News, BBC, The Scotsman, Zetcast, The Orcadian and Orkney Today. There are also links to Radio Shetland online and various weather forecasts and reports
Discussion forums
The Shetlink forum hosts discussions on a wide range of topics including 'Shetland News', 'National & International News', 'Music', 'TV, Film, Arts and Literature', 'Sport', 'Science & Technology', 'Travel', 'History & Culture', 'Food & Drink', 'Consumer Advice & Resources' and a section entitled 'Anything & Everything Else'
There is also a free 'Classifieds' section where users can advertise items for sale, and request items wanted
Events calendar
The Shetlink events calendar allows users to post free event listings. Categories include 'Live Music', 'Sport & Leisure', 'Entertainment, 'Community', 'Education & Training', 'Foys & Festivals', 'Sailing & Boating' and events out-with Shetland
Collaborations
Shetlink collaborates with Shetland Life magazine, allowing the publication to be "more open and accessible to its readers" [1], and hosts forums on behalf of the Shetland Islands Council's Schools Department
Sakchai campaign
Shetlink acted as a central information point during the 'Shetland for Sakchai' campaign which successfully fought the deportation of local resident Sakchai Makao. The website also hosted an ePetition (which had reached 2337 confirmed signatures when it closed in August, 2006)
Timeline
- 25/12/05 - Website launch
- 17/03/06 - The Shetland Islands Council close it's 'Have your say' public consultation forum [2] and redirect traffic to Shetlink [3]
- 07/04/06 - Shetlink administrators change their policy of allowing anonymous message posting after Davie Gardner (then Shetland Music Development Officer) receives a string of 'abusive' posts during a public debate on the proposed Cinema and Music Venue [4]
- 06/06/06 - 'Shetland For Sakchai' campaign to prevent the deportation of local resident Sakchai Makao begins. Shetlink acts as central point for news and information [5]
- 27/10/06 - ZetCast forum launched
- 30/11/06 - Collaboration with Shetland Life magazine announced
- 11/02/07 - 1000th member registers
- 20/02/07 - Shetland Islands Council Schools Department 'Parental Involvement Act' forum launched
- 30/04/07 - Website relaunched with additional features including local and national news feeds, and an expanded events calendar
- 20/05/07 - 'Consumer Advice & Resources' forum launched
Statistics
- Over 1,130 registered members
- Over 48,000 forum messages posted
- 700 - 900 unique visitors per day
- 12,000 - 15,000 page views per day
(stats accurate on 23/05/07)
External Links
http://www.shetlink.com (homepage)
http://www.shetlink.com/events-calendar (events calendar)
http://www.shetlink.com/forum (discussion forum)
http://www.shetlink.com/contact (admin contact form)
Online References
- Shetlink - 'Shetland For Sakchai' campaign information and links
- Shetlink - 'Shetland For Sakchai' discussion thread
- Shetland Times (17 March 2006) - Forum Closed Down by SIC
- Shetland Times (7 April 2006) - Music man threatened by anonymous caller
- Shetland Times (23 June 2006) - Sakchai's court bid
- Alistair Carmichael MP (5 July 2006) - Press release
- The Independent (8 July 2006) - A campaign that united an entire island
- Shetland Life Editorial (9 December 2006)
