The Times are a changin'
It has finally happened. The New York Times has designed a web site that can read like a newspaper.
The biggest problem I’ve had with newspapers publishing online is that they lose the print format and basically become a news site like any other. Just like CNN or CNET. What I love about newspapers is that by flipping through the pages to skim over articles I may come across an article of interest but which I wouldn’t have searched for.
The Times has created the best of both worlds and I’m smiling. Their homepage deals with the breaking news, while the 3rd tab in takes you to the news from the print edition, organized exactly how you would see it in each section of the paper. That’s exactly what I’ve been waiting for. I hope online newspaper departments around the country are scrambling to play catchup.
I do, however, have two issues with the redesign. First, why Georgia still? Yes, it’s a classic print type-face, but it looks horrible on screen. Serif type-faces for high res print; sans-serif for low res monitors, right? Second, I’d love to have a toggle feature that allows me to turn on/off, oh let’s say, 40 word teasers for each story, just to add a little context to the headlines. You require that I login to read the articles so this could be a simple preference setting. Otherwise I’m giddy.
Unfortunately my hometown rag was recently redesigned, so I’m guessing they won’t be looking to implement a new format anytime soon. Although it is something that can be done within their existing design.
