Channel 8, local CBS affiliate, did something very cool with their home page yesterday. They had what they called a live “blog” running. It was actually more of a Twitter stream, but it worked whatever you call it.

Folks could comment on the weather, send in photos and converse in a way that is not the usual interaction between television and consumers. I was a part of it for a while and I enjoyed it greatly.

Also spent some time on Twitter, talking with folks locally and from Channel 13 and Channel 8.

At Channel 8 I was able to chat with on air weathermen, producers, the assignment desk and their web guru. They updated us with official statements and reports they received from other sources. We updated them with snow depths, wind and visibility reports, traffic conditions and photos.

The station used an application from Cover It Live.

CoveritLive’s web based software takes your next live blog to a new level. Your commentary publishes in real time like an instant message. Our ‘one-click’ publishing lets you drop polls, videos, pictures, ads and audio clips as soon as they come to mind. Comments and questions from your readers instantly appear but you control what gets published.

The Chicago Sun Times folks on Twitter told me this:

We’ve used it quite a bit for politics and Bears coverage. Has strengths – community input – and weaknesses – hard to manage large group.

The app is free. I am going to give it some serious thought for this site.