The BBC have a launched a new prototype site and are looking for feedback.
BBC News Radar provides every news story as it’s published regardless of priority or importance. Given the number of events that the BBC cover on a daily basis, there’s a lot of information that just passes by without being noticed. Radar provides a means to catch those interesting stories that you normally wouldn’t see.
Have a look and let them know what you think.
The BBC have completely redesigned their homepage. It’s now customisable, full of widgets and more blog-like. It’s currently in Beta, but you can have a look for yourself here.
I’m not so sure that I like it. For some strange reason it just doesn’t fit in with my mental picture of what the Beeb website should be. The new look comes across as playful and, for want of a better word, child-like. For some reason it doesn’t carry the same sincerity, austerity and gravitas as the current site design does.
While the current design is not exactly a paragon of design perfection, it does have a certain feel. A feel that commends a certain amount of respect and trust. While the content of the site hasn’t changed, the feel of the website has, and that’s just as important as the content. For me anyway, this new design just doesn’t feel right. Maybe it is just me, but I much prefer the current look.
The BBC are opening up their TV and radio archives to the public. In a new trial 20,000 people will have on-demand access to full length programmes, scripts and notes.
The plan is to allow access to over 1 million hours of programming to the entire UK population. Now if only RTE would consider doing the same.
Matts Blogging currently has a post referring to the BBC’s Fifteen Web Principles.
Short, simple, and best of all, just plain common sense. If these principles were applied to more sites, it would make the web much easier to use and navigate.