Category: Pointless Digressions || By
Do you ever wonder who reads the Tube City Almanac?
Well, indulge me for a minute in some behind-the-scenes minutiae.
You may not know this, but I'm spying on you. Er, sort of. I have Google Analytics running on the website; it tracks where visitors come from, how long they spend on the site, how often they visit, etc.
After nearly 9 months of gathering data, I can spot a few trends.
. . .
Literally Hundreds of Readers: We have about 3,500 visitors per month. Of those, about 1,200 people are regular, faithful readers who visit at least once per week, according to Google Analytics.
Geez, you people are starved for entertainment.
No, I'm very flattered and intimidated that more than one thousand people check in regularly. Thanks for reading.
Also, although some people come here via search engines, many of you come directly to the Almanac, which means you've set a bookmark. Again, thank you.
. . .
U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.!: The vast majority of Almanac readers are from the United States. (Duh.) But we have several regular readers in Canada, Germany, Spain, Turkey and the Netherlands.
(To our Canadian visitors I say, "How's it goin', eh?" And to our reader in the Netherlands, I think I know who you are. Bring me back some tulips next time.)
. . .
Wyoming? Why Not Oming?: We have no regular readers in Idaho or Wyoming. What did I do to tick them off?
Most of the readers are from Pennsylvania, naturally, followed by New York and California (tied for second), Ohio, Florida, Maryland, Texas, Connecticut, Georgia and Virginia.
I'm assuming the out-of-state readers are former McKeesporters. If you're from out of state and you've never commented, post something in the comments and let me know why you read.
. . .
Picksberg Proud: Google indicates that the top two cities sending visitors are Pittsburgh and Our Fair City, as you might have guessed.
In fact, the Almanac has almost 600 regular readers in McKeesport proper.
Other cities in the top 10 include Carnegie, McKees Rocks, Homestead, Bethel Park, Braddock, Wilmerding, Turtle Creek and Houtzdale, Clearfield County.
Google tracks cities based on where the users' Internet connections are based. I suspect a lot of the Carnegie, Bethel Park and McKees Rocks visitors are from Internet service providers based there --- Comcast has a big facility in McKees Rocks, and the former Adelphia Cable system has one in Bethel Park. If your Internet connection comes via cable, maybe that explains why those boroughs rank so high.
But the only thing in Houtzdale is the state prison.
Geez, I'm sorry, guys. Let me know if yinz need a cake with a file in it.
. . .
Most of You Read at Work: Readership is highest from Monday through Friday. Saturday and Sunday readership declines noticeably.
With that in mind ... get back to work!
I came across your blog a few weeks ago when I was doing a Google search for Yohogania. I love local history, and have lived most of my life in Yohogania. (I recommend the Wikipedia page. I did a lot of that one.)
I live in Weirton, W.Va., now, and have for quite a while, but (as mentioned in my earlier comment) I grew up in North Huntingdon, and my family are from all over the Mon Valley — my mom was born in Duquesne and grew up in Homestead, my dad was born in Pitcairn, and my brother was born in Braddock.
Weirton is of course not far away — it was 55 miles on the odometer between my house and my Dad’s — and it’s like Mon Valley West, with the now-mostly-defunct steel mill. It was still going strong when I moved here. My mom came over to help me get settled in, and as we were driving through town she said, “It reminds me of Homestead.” For Mom, that was a Good Thing.
And while we didn’t go to McKeesport often, we did sometimes, or to Eastland when it was florishing. Also, when my grandfather died, in 1940 in a car accident on the border between Trafford and NHT, the newspaper that carried the story (at least the only one we have a clipping from) was the McKeesport Daily News.
Lois (URL) - February 27, 2008
Your numbers could be higher… You didn’t mention that RSS feeders! I subscribe from Fort Collins, Colorado because I have two blood relatives living in McKeesport, like hearing about the goings-on, and love your pieces on local history: the steel mills, GC Murphy Co and what was. Also I like seeing someone support (evangelize?) the area—and what it could be again!
Scott from Colorado - February 27, 2008
I was born in McKeesport as was my mother and grandmother (Pauline Maturkanic, she lived on Shaw Avenue, I spent many days at her house). I grew up in Duquesne and West Mifflin and moved to Conway, South Carolina 25 years ago. I really enjoy your site, it keeps me informed of what is going on in McKeesport and surrounding areas. By the way, you spoke of Dorothy’s Chocolates in White Oak that I forgot about (we had them for treats when I was young). Since you posted about them I’ve sent Chocolate Covered Cherries to my brother in Chicago (he was thrilled, “just like when I was little and could only have one, now I can eat the whole box but three was as many as I could do at a time”) and my boss had me order them for his girlfriend her in SC (she was very impressed). Keep posting…I really enjoy your sense of humor!!
Paula Taylor - February 27, 2008
I know your a busy guy, but readership would be up on Saturday and Sunday, if there were posts, LOL. I check probably twice a day. I read your site more that the local paper and probably get more news here that the “local” news. Thanks so much and keep up the good work!
Adam - February 27, 2008
Jason,
I stumbled upon your site by accident, but now I am a daily reader. I am in the Navy in Washington state and although I am not a Mckeesport native, born and raised in Markvue Manor and graduated in 82 form Norwin, love the pictures and history you have on the site. Keep up the good work I know I enjoy it.
Craig Warnick - February 27, 2008
Norwin Class of 1983. Now living in Youngstown, OH. I check it a few times a week, I think. Don’t get back as much as I would like, but Irwin/North Huntingdon/McKeesport will always be home.
Scott - February 28, 2008
Just found the old site and subsequent new site and was really interested in the comments/questions about Bettis and the old Night Train. I grew up next to Bettis and used to go to TL’s Night Train (later the Red Raven), White Elephant and even The Grove. Worked at the Memorial Theater, Alan’s Car Wash and went to Tech. Now live in SC and your site brought back some nice memories
Scott McGinnis - February 29, 2008
To comment on any story at Tube City Almanac, email tubecitytiger@gmail.com, send a tweet to www.twitter.com/tubecityonline, visit our Facebook page, or write to Tube City Almanac, P.O. Box 94, McKeesport, PA 15134.
You are reading the February 27, 2008 entry of Tube City Almanac. Click the banner to return to the Almanac's front page, or click here to visit Tube City Online.
: :
Except where noted, all contents are copyright © 2003-2014 Tube City Community Media Inc., a non-profit corporation chartered in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. No content from Tube City Online may be reproduced in whole or part in any digital or print publication without express permission, except that short excerpts may be used with attribution in commentary or for critical purposes.
Published weekdays (usually), except holidays (and when we have something better to do) at McKeesport, Pa., by Tube City Community Media Inc., P.O. Box 94, McKeesport, Pa. 15134.
Opinions expressed here are those of the individual authors, and do not necessarily represent those of any organization. No warranty is given or implied for the information and opinions contained herein; the reader uses that information at his or her peril.
Tube City Online is edited by Jason Togyer, member, National Writers Union, AFL-CIO, and Online News Association.
Also, objects in Tube City Online may be closer than they appear. If Tube City Online is swallowed, seek professional help immediately. Stop use of Tube City Online if condition persists or worsens. Tube City Online is produced in a facility that also includes Peanuts. Do not expose Tube City Online to open flames and keep it out of the reach of children. Do not back up, as severe tire damage may result. Not responsible for lost or stolen articles. Tube City Online is still not a significant source of saturated fats or Minnesota Fats.
Tube City Online does not collect personal information from visitors for any reasons. See our privacy policy.
