OA Online

Sometimes it seems like everyone else is all too eager to give us an opinion, from the talking heads on the news programs to the chatty co-worker who won't let us get a word in edgewise. You may have longed to set up your own blog where your opinions will be respected and responded to - but you didn't have the time or the resources.

 Now the Odessa American has made it easy for you to set up your own blog and post comments on forums at Sitelife. Simply go to oaoa.com, fill out the user-friendly form, and begin sharing your opinions, news and photos.

 You'll be asked to leave a verifiable e-mail address and set up a profile page. This page displays all of your contributions and allows you to track issues and easily connect with others.

 Whatever interests you, be it sharing recipes, finding the cheapest gas in town or trading tips on lawns, gardens and pets, you'll find like-minded people on Sitelife.

 Odessa has a reputation as a community where people help each other when times are tough. Sitelife provides a unique opportunity for you to get the word out about any need that you see in the community.

 The Odessa American's sister newspaper in California, the Orange County Register, provides an example of how this is done. Their readers used SiteLife blogs, photos, and friends-networks to swap information about the October wildfires - information that wasn't always scooped up by the news media.

 The Comments feature, which many people have used in the past, is alive and well. You will still be able to comment on stories and respond to one another's opinions. And you'll still have an option to flag inappropriate comments for removal. New tools allow the OA Online to block users who abuse the system by posting offensive comments or by deleting dissenting views.

 "Now, more than ever, a newspaper's website is becoming a community of users who want to get involved by sharing their knowledge and opinions with others," says interactive manager Sean Maggio. "We ask you to tolerate diverse opinions, but take care of the website by taking action against obscene or hateful material."

 OA Online is constantly searching for ways to better serve its readers.

It recently upgraded its format to make it even easier for you to find what you're looking for. You can access local, national and world news, entertainment and sports by clicking on a topic and using the easy-access drop-down menus. Set oaoa.com as your homepage, and keep track of the latest breaking news around the clock.