YourArlington.com is an experiment in community journalism dedicated to reporting news about Arlington, Mass., and the Arlington-related views of its residents. The experiment not unique but is part of a nationwide movement called "citizen journalism." The phrase gained currency through We the Media, a 2004 book by Dan Gillmor. This kind of journalism encourages members of a community to write about that community. The writing may be reporting, or it may be opinion.

Bob Sprague, an Arlington resident since 1989, is a liberal guardian about what is posted on the site. As publisher of an incorporated business, he is a member of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce. Reach him at webmaster at yourarlington.com.

He encourages factual reporting, honest opinion and overall fair play. He urges town residents to register and tell the public what they know. When you sign up, provide your first and last name as well as your Arlington address. On this site, the public has a right to know the sources of information. Anonymous sources may be used in some cases, but when you post to this site, public should know your full name.

Some site history

The site launched Dec. 10, 2006, and its latest news is activation of a revamped site template Feb. 3, 2013, created with Artisteer.

In August 2007, Google ads were added. The ability for users to post comments was added that September. A new site template was activated in October 2007.

In April 2008, the OpenX online-advertising system was installed. On June 9, 2008, the site was incorporated in Massachusetts.

In May 2009, Your View, a new opinion site, was added.

On Jan. 14, 2010, Boston.com added Arlington to its Your Town links and began linking to YourArlington stories.

On Sept. 8, 2012, the site upgarded to the latest Joomla! platform, 2.5, and made public a new site design.

As of Feb. 3,, 2013, 441 people were registered users, allowing them to provide various services to the site.

Those who would like to help with the site should inquire. If others volunteer, the photo above could become smaller, and other photos may be added, making the site a better representation of "us."

Credits

Arlington residents who help this site as volunteers are:

Scott Samenfeld. See his work at www.samenfeldconsulting.com. Contact him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . He heads a group that meets monthly in Harvard Square to discuss Joomla issues. Find out about that at www.samenfeldconsulting.com/bjoomug/index.php;

Marjorie Howard, a former reporter for the Boston Herald; and

since 2007, various advanced students from the classes of Kim Eudenbach, a journalism teacher at Arlington High School.

Benn Craig, an Arlington photographer, contributes photographs to the site.

Audrey L. Jenkins was a contributing reporter in April and May 2012.

Colin Campbell submitted weekly police reports from November 2008 until September 2010.

• Publisher's resume >>