Tag: Gizmodo

The new Gizmodo

I missed this when it launched but the new Gizmodo design is live. Like previewed it has the featured story area to the left and the more traditional blog column on the right.

Besides the fact that they had to write a blog post explaining how to use the new site (not a good start) there’s a glaring UI issue with the blog column.

Glancing at that column you might think I’m at the top of it. Instead I’ve scrolled down past a dozen stories or so. The problem is, there’s no visual indicator of how far I’ve scrolled or how much remains in the section.

The browser’s scroll bar registers progress in the left-hand column but there’s no equivalent for the blog stream.

It feels like a sleazy casino where they don’t want you to know how far in you’ve come and they definitely don’t want to tell you where the exit is.

Joel Johnson rocks Gizmodo

Joel Johnson nails it in a Gizmodo post yesterday. Among other wonderful gems is this argument against those who claim Gizmodo ≠ journalism:

I try to allow for this, especially when presented in the “But you call yourselves journalists!” package. I know that most of the people attempting to define and discard our opinions have the media comprehension ability of an especially contemplative elk. Still, consider this in a scrolling, flashing, graphic set overtop an exploding marching band: “Journalism” is an act, a process, not a role nor a duty. Sometimes, despite all inclination to the contrary, journalism is practiced at Gizmodo.

I especially like the image of a contemplative elk attempting to discard the opinions of Gizmodo.