Welcome to the online edition of The Renegade Rip.

The World Wide Web opens up a whole new world of possibilities, and the mission of this online edition is to provide a voice and tone that is different from that of our print edition. We don’t want our Web site to simply be some cyberspace knock-off of our print edition with nothing but all the same stories and photos. We want it to be a place where the living, breathing community of Bakersfield College students, staff and faculty interact with each other.

Features such as message boards and live chat sessions will encourage an open forum where students can discuss and rant about issues important to them. Frustrated by all the construction going on? Have an idea on how to alleviate the campus parking problem? This is the place to voice your opinion.

Therip.com also offers us the opportunity to expand the coverage of BC that The Rip has been providing the college for over 70 years.

Not only will we be able to publish stories without space limitations and full-color photos, but we’ll also be able to offer exclusive online content, including syndicated content provided to us by our Web host, College Publisher, and original content produced by Rip staffers.

We want to know what you, the readers, would like to see in an online newspaper. We welcome all comments and suggestions. You can reach me at [email protected] or leave a message at The Rip at 395-4324.

Going online for the first time can be a daunting challenge, and it has been, and will continue to be, a learning process for all of us here. But we’re dedicated to bringing you a top-notch online newspaper, and with your patience and support, therip.com will be just that.