February 23, 2008

• This is tricky because the focus seems to be on editorials, but they also allow blog posts (they're calling them personal diaries). You didn't ask about design, but that's one thing I can't help but think about when I'm evaluating a website.
• I know nothing about them, but the site is Drudge Report-meets-myspace painful to look at, which for reasons I can't exactly explain makes them seem untrustworthy. Probably it's that it makes me think of Drudge and myspace.
• It's a GIGO proposition, isn't it? I mean, it looks like they just aggregate *liberal/progressive* comment in the U.S.? But maybe they're being selective with the wackier stuff. Do you think it's a proxy for the Republicans? Maybe they hired Drudge's designer?
• Not familiar with the site in question, but I know just what mct means when he talks about certain looks and styles undermining credibility. Can work the other way too- I occasionally read a couple of small looney leftist sites in the UK that have had the sense to hire talented designers, so despite the fact they speak for a hardcore sect of dozens at best you get the sense it's all sober and sensible commentary.