Colin's Corner

USAToday Redesigns

USAToday has launched a major re-design to their site.

In the "comments from the editor" section Ken Paulson identifies the change in approach as well as the obvious design changes:

With the new features we've introduced on the site, readers will have the ability to:

• Scan other news sources directly on USATODAY.com
• See how readers are reacting to stories
• Recommend stories and comments to other readers
• Comment directly on stories
• Participate in discussion forums
• Write reviews (of movies, music and more)
• Contribute photos
• Better communicate with USA TODAY staff

I am a firm believer that a key differentiator for media brands is to more fully integrate their communities and provide a platform and tools to their audiences so that they actively participate with the content on the site.

The site's new features are designed to better involved the community. There is nothing truly innovative but the tools are solid and I'm sure will be expanded. However the majority of comments to date shows that a lot of the initial feedback is unfavorable but that's inevitable with any change.

While the design may need some adjustment based on user feedback, the underlying approach to embracing the community makes a lot of sense and the editors of USA Today deserve a lot of credit for taking a much bolder approach than many of their colleagues.

I was a little surprised they dropped down the placement of the 300x200 ad to below the fold on the left hand side with a smaller rich media ad above the fold.

Comments from around the web have been including in the Community Center

Google Maps for Mobile

I've just downloaded Google Maps for Mobile to my Razr and Blackberry - other devices supported can be found here. To download, visit www.google.com/gmm on your mobile phone's web browser.

This is an incredibly cool product - it combines directions, maps, and satellite imagery, Google Maps is a free download that lets you find local hangouts and businesses across town or across the country — right from your phone.

>> Detailed directions: Whether you plan to walk or drive, your route is displayed on the map itself, together with step-by-step directions.

>> Integrated search results: Local business locations and contact information appear all in one place, integrated on your map.

>> Easily movable maps: Interactive, draggable maps let you zoom in or out, and move in all directions so you can orient yourself visually.

>> Satellite imagery: Get a bird's eye view of your desired location.

>> Real-time traffic:^New! See where the congestion is, and estimate delays in over 30 major US metropolitan areas.

Yahoo! Tech Launches

Paid Content notes the launch of Yahoo! Tech . This is the new tech vertical Yahoo had been working for some time now…it is more consumer focused and takes on the consumer sites owned by CNET and others.

The aggregated content for Yahoo Tech will come from established media brands such as John Wiley’s “For Dummies” book series, IDG’s PC World, Ziff Davis’ PC Magazine and McGraw-Hill publishing. The user-generated content will come primarily from Yahoo’s shopping site, which has about 300 tech products each accompanied by dozens of user reviews, and Yahoo Answers, which will fuel a Question-and-Answer section in Yahoo Tech.  Charter advertisers, include Verizon, Hewlett-Packard and Panasonic.

A tour of the site is available. Comments on the launch - which generally focus heavily on its low-end consumer orientation are available at ReadWriteWeb , Tech Memeorandum and TechCrunch

techwords

IDG is very excited to be launching TechWords. It's designed for marketers who want to direct their keyword marketing programs to the IT-focused audience of the IDG Enterprise Network that is made up of six enterprise sites - Computerworld, NetworkWorld, Infoworld, CIO, CSO and JavaWorld. This powerful network reaches over 5.5 million unique visitors a month and has the highest concentration of high-level IT buyers anywhere on the web.

TechWords is the only keyword-targeted, auction-based, pay-per-click advertising marketplace dedicated to connecting technology advertisers with a core audience of enterprise technology buyers and influencers. The highly contextual network targets marketers ads next to the most relevant content across the IDG enterprise. 

Digital World Tokyo

IDG Japan has launched a new weblog reporting on the latest news on local consumer technology to the English-speaking world. The site, www.digitalworldtokyo.com is now live. The site will feature news, views, reviews and features  not just from Japan, but also, other parts of the region, including South Korea and China.

DWT has an upbeat, energetic feel and should become the first port of call for technology fans interested in reading the latest Asian technology news. Core areas of interest include computers, communications, general gadgets, gaming, home entertainment, robotics and more. 

PC World's Digital Duo

Recently launched PC World's Digital Duo is  an entertaining and informative new television program airing on public television and also hosted at a nifty new section of the PC World.com Web site. The web version is now live.

According to PC World  "In each episode of PC World's Digital Duo, Stephen Manes, esteemed columnist for PC World and Forbes, teams with veteran tech editor and product doyenne Angela Gunn of USAToday.com to evaluate, explore, and--when necessary--deplore the world of digital technology. With fairness and flair, the Duo takes on the world of consumer electronics and technology, offers real-world advice, and mercilessly mocks whatever deserves it most."
There will be 26 original episodes airing over the coming year.

CNET launches BNET

CNET Networks has launched BNET, a Web site aimed at business leaders. BNET has aggregated white papers and other content, searchable by job function (such as human resources) or industry (such as construction or financial services). Additionally, BNET offers blogs, newsletters and selected RSS feeds.

BNET's first blog, "Leadership.Now" is written by Don Blohowiak, an executive consultant with clients such as FedEx and Motorola, addresses leadership issues.

BNET has accumulated more than 200,000 registered users since a soft launch last year and hopes to attrach  a new group of advertisers beyond its tech core. To be competitive with sites such as BusinessWeek, BNET will need to grow its user base significantly. Recently BusinessWeek entered a deal with TechTarget's Bitpipe to offer its visitors online access to technology white papers.

Also, check out an original animation looking at "corporate life through the eyes of a well-meaning CEO who just can't win."

First look at Yahoo! 360

Charlene Li from Forrester provides a first look at Yahoo! 360

Central to Yahoo! 360 is the concept that you want to communicate and connect with the people that you already know, rather than try to meet new people. Your home page shows the most recent content published by people within your network. This might be a blog post, a photo album, review, or an updated profile item. This page is constantly refreshed as the people in your network update the information on their spaces. This fundamental concept of linking people through their updated “stuff” is what makes Yahoo! 360 unique. In essence, the content is being pushed to you by the service.

InfoWorld launches new homepage design

Many congratulations to InfoWorld who today launched a significant upgrade to their home page.  The new layout has:
• A very prominent, high energy visual attached to the main story of the moment.  This will change throughout the day.
• "Top Stories" include the most important content regardless of content type, including blogs, special reports, product reviews and columns.
•"Hot Topics" include links to key subjects and important coverage such as industry events, evolving story coverage, new buzzwords, etc.
• Blog coverage with more prominent treatment including an area focused specifically on Jon Udell's discoveries.
• Columnists appear on the page as their columns are posted, alongside a headshot of the columnist
• More Product Guide content appearing, one of the strongest parts of the site
• Content flows down the page without dramatic interruptions.  This way advertising is integrated into the UI, yet it never stops the eye from considering further browsing.
• The webcasts, research reports, custom sections, etc. appear as relevant content
• Newsletter signups are featured prominently at the top of the page
• Wide 1000-pixel page format

Check out full details on Matt McAlistair's Blog (registration required and access restricted)

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Gifts.com helps locate the perfect present !

As well as today's announcement of the acquisition of Ask Jeeves, Barry Diller's IAC/Interactive Corp (IACI) has launched Gifts.com  According to the site: Gifts.com is a free service that provides shoppers with the best gift ideas the Web has to offer, custom fit to suit any recipient or occasion. It offers a suite of personalized tools to help anyone be a better gift giver. These tools include automated Personal and Holiday Reminders, as well as the ability to save Recipient Profiles and gift ideas, create a personal Wish List, and share your own Gift Lists with other Gifts.com users.