Comments on: Why It’s Called BETA

By: Phil Buckley

Phil Buckley — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:29:59 +0000

I think it’s important to keep in mind it it still in BETA, and they are looking for feedback, so let’s not write them off yet.

With that said, I might brand this more as an alpha. I agree that there is not the kind of sharp focus that a site like this needs. There is also an attempt to still hold the reins of what gets included. It’s a sticking point with all news agencies, they love the idea of crowdsourcing, just not the idea of giving up that much control.

I think the add a feed button should pretty much be a rubber stamp for content unless it’s clearly spam or porn. If they want to engage the community, they need to let go a bit and let the community drive.

By: andy

andy — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:52:54 +0000

Yea, agree with UM – this site is trying more to push people to the charlotteobserver site still. I get a popup first and then a main banner telling them where the other site went. Nobody cares about that, put a small link, they’ll see it. The lack of main headers and as you said, “not managing your community effectively” is enough to dump it. They just threw something up with some autofeeds it appears. Not a fan…

By: Surewins

Surewins — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:48:26 +0000

UM… this statement – right at the beginning is the root of all their problems: “It appears that they want to be a one-stop portal for all things in and around Charlotte, North Carolina”… really? When do they plan on telling/showing me this… after I’ve viewed their help section video on ‘How to navigate charlotte.com’? (which BTW – the help link on top is broken… you have to use the one in the footer). The first thing any good designer should know… if you have to show people how to use a site – you’ve failed.

Here’s a free tip… when I think of Charlotte, NC 3 things pop into my head immediately: Banking, NASCAR and the Panthers. I can’t imagine I’m too far out in right field in understanding what Charlotte is known for but – in my case – you lost me at hello.

I’ve seen ‘alpha’ sites with more thought put into them.