At first I had trouble defining "original journalistic content" in this specific context. There is a lot of original journalism on the web, but not all of it pertains directly to online journalism. Newsweek's website offers examples of both original journalism and online-specific style. The first thing I noticed upon arriving was the F-shape pattern Nielsen discusses. The pattern is based on an eye-tracking study which showed that online readers scan across a page horizontally across, then quickly across in lower successions. Newsweek's homepage is clearly set up in this manner, with the lead story at the top left, then the second story, shorter and more succinctly displayed, just to its right. Below this the stories shorten to thumbnail pictures and descriptive links meant to keep pace with the reader's swiftly falling eyes.
Along the left hand side of the homepage are links to the various news departments of the magazine. Under the tab marked Blogs, Etc. are links to blogs and other online based multi-media. The most innovative of these is the link to MSNBC's FirstPerson, an interactive page that allows users to send in their own content and assist making the news. This very direct tactic is an excellent way of getting people involved in the website.
The jumps to stories are short and concise with great multi-media versatility.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment