01: online magazine analysis
Vice has a well-established Web 2.0 presence. The site is complete with a regularly updated blog and a conveniently placed pull-down bookmark menu (at the top of the blog) that allows for easy access RSS feed subscriptions using Favorites, Digg, Facebook, Live, Furl, Ask, Delicious, Google, Reddit, Yahoo, StumbleUpon and more! There is a “bookmarks” icon and each RSS feed has its own logo beside it. The blog enables comments and its articles are clearly archived on the left sidebar.
The home page features an embedded link from vbs.tv, (Vice Magazine’s very own online broadcast network that streams original content, free of charge, 24 hours a day). Unfortunately, the videos automatically play when the site is opened. The departments of the magazine are clearly organized and readers are able to email, comment and bookmark each article, (all of which are at the bottom of the page in each department). Readers are also able to stream videos directly from the site (that are separate from vbs.tv). Finally, featured at the bottom of the home page are links that allow the reader to view the site in various languages, ranging from Canadian English/French, Chinese, Spanish and Itallian, (15 countries are listed in total).
The RSS feeds on the New Scientist website are clearly indicated several times throughout the site: at the top of the home page (no icons), at the top, left column on its many blogs (with icons beside them), as well as links to Delicious and Digg at the bottom of the blog page (no icons). Although the options are not as extensive as the ones featured in Vice, quite a few are listed and are easy to get to. Six regularly updated blogs are featured on the home page, and readers are able to comment and bookmark these pages. Readers are also able to print, comment, email, bookmark, and syndicate online articles, (the links are easily accessible from buttons at the top and bottom of the page). The site features videos that can be streamed, as well as a photo gallery. Unfortunately, readers cannot comment, email, or bookmark these pages.
The RSS feeds on the Wired site are also easily accessible from a link at the top of the home page. What’s nice about this site, though, is that there is actually a description of what an RSS feed is, and they it works, (which is especially nice and helpful for people like me!) Wired offers RSS feeds through Yahoo, Newsgator, Rojo, SubBloglines, and Google, (all with easy access links and icons) and encourages readers to add them, saying: “…link away! And let us know where your site is and how we can make these feeds even more user-friendly. Because it’s about you. Very Web 2.0 Thinking!
What’s also unique to the Wired site is the option to get updates sent to your mobile device either through mobile web, text messaging, or PDAs. This site features 12 regularly updated blogs that do not allow for comments, but have a link beside the byline that allows readers to email the author via Outlook. The actual articles, however, allow for easy access to RSS feeds, (with a linked icon below the headline, as well as links to server RSS feeds at the bottom of the page) as well as options to email, print, view full page, or comment on the article. Readers can also stream videos, (that users can email, bookmark and view in high/low resolution) and photo galleries, (that users can email, bookmark and comment on).
Apparently, when it comes to successful online publications, it’s all about options.
Filed under: Assignments | 1 Comment
Tags: magazines, new scientist, publishing, vice magazine, web 2.0, wired
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My friend introduced me to VBS! Without a TV I can still enjoy shows from the comfort of my computer desk. He says it’s ‘the best journalism out there’ … he graduated from journalism which makes the quote more or less credible. Hope you are doing well Jennifer!