A letter from the Editor in Chief

One of your tag lines is "More video". Lose the ads that fire up prior to the videos if you want an increase in video viewings.  Waiting through 30 seconds of dreck is unnecessary (but probably an income generator).

Hope the new format provides links to other stories about the same news or similar topics. I want more, more, more!!! Ha, Ha, Ha!!! Cough, Cough, Hmm, Hey how about getting back to me with follow ups later on?? You know? You wanna go out??  Ok...that's cool, I'll call you later, I'll call you next week.

Don't change it too much but I guess it's a done deal.....why do the videos have no sound anymore on my PC as they did in the past? All other sites work when the volume is on.

I love my MSNBC!

Thank you!

msnbc.com is our, my Wife Carol and me, homepage and we utilize every it every fifteen to thirty minutes.  It is essential in our household!  There is; however, a most annoying slowdown of your coverage beginning around 5PM every Friday.  This slowdown/STOP lasts until 6AM Monday.  The news doesn't stop during that time, but msnbc.com does!

Have loved MSNBC since it's launch- keep the site easy for current viewers to use. I don't have time to re-learn my way around another site. Love the local NBC affiliate sidebar. With the new MSNBC TV headquarters keep maximizing the resources of NBC news!

MSNBC has been my homepage for the last 8 years. When I first saw that it was going to change I was like "NO!!!" But just so you know It will still be my homepage for years to come. I dont even go searching for news anywhere else. Great job everyone.

As Usual MSNBC.com delivers! You have been my home page since '98 and would be lost with out it! Together with MSNBC TV, you have the most informative content and personalities bar none! Please add some more user customized content, ie. gadgets and widgets. I eagerly await the new site. Super job everyone!

ps, I love your free video and don't mind the ads (if that's what keeps it free)

The new site reminds me of a recent magazine redesign in the business news sector, as well as another news website....both have more white space.  The design looks less 'cramped' and an improvement in terms of look and feel. But, OK, enough with the commercials in front of the video news.  I don't have but a few minutes a day to grab info, and don't want to spend it loading commercials and promos.  Find another way, like using a corner of the screen for a sponsor, or a logo alongside.  Either get rid of the commercials in front of the videos or I won't watch at all.

On one computer, msnbc.com is my sole home page. On another it's one of five (thanks to tabs). And on another it's not my homepage, but it's featured heavily on my live.com page.

Every once in a while I click through to some link to CNN.com or Yahoo! News or something and I think, "Oh, so this is what those other news sites look like."

Nearly all big news of the past 7+ years has been broken to me by msnbc.com. Keep it up! I can't wait for the redesign... but I'd caution you against de-"clutter"ing the home page *too* much. I like having a lot there!

Then again, either my eyes are playing tricks on me or the new design makes full use of widescreen monitors. Could this be true!? Fantastic! :D

Love the flyout menus.  Hate the ads before videos. I will not click on any MSNBC video links because of the ads. Also hate the rollover expanding ads. Love the breadth of categories and coverage, but depth is often lacking, especially in technology and business.  MSNBC has traditionally done a great job of organizing lots of content onto the home page. I hope the new design continues that philosophy, because I do not want to spend time customizing a new home page.  

MSNBC.MSN.com is, in my opinion the best news source on the Internet. It has been my homepage for a long time. I incorporate msnbc.msn.com material frequently in my blogs. I also have a customized msnbc.com google search. I am looking forward to any improvements the msnbc.msn.com editors choose to make, because you are "the people's Media". Thanks!

I've been with you guys since day-1....keep up the good work. Oh...and the new format is great.

Is this the reason that all e-mail to MSNBC is being bounced back. I like to let you guys know what I think about what you are doing and am having a hard time doing so these days.

I have to agree with Rick just above.  The flyout menus are great, but it's very irritating to click on a story only to have a video pop up with no warning.  If you MUST have a video there, please tell me before I click the link.

I absolutely DETEST that top banner ad that expands when I rollover it, and frankly, if it stays I'm leaving MSNBC for a new homepage, as much as I hate to do it after all these years.

Ditto on dalewebb's thoughts about WHERE the heck is the news on Friday evening through the weekend?

This may be asking too much, but I'd LOVE to have transcripts of the shows faster.  This waiting until later the next day is very frustrating.

And lastly, I'm seconding, thirding, and fourthing, the vote for NO ADS before the videos.  

Looks good.  Don't tell me that leapord and Vista are going to look the same. Does this spell the end of cuthroat competition in all of geekdom?  The sky is falling.  Maybe it was all just a bad dream

How about ending MSNBC's constant use of headlines with question marks?????

MSNBC's job is to provide factual news and information, not ask questions - questions are not NEWS. Your readers can ask their own questions about the news - and seek their own answers.

For example "Rove to be indicted?"
That's a smear, not news - it 'plants a seed' in your readers' minds that goes beyond news.

Consumers don't need questions from our news sources. We need accurate, unbiased facts and information upon which we can make our own judgements, to ask and answer our own questions.

Leave off the anti-zit ads!!!  Thanks.

I don't see a link or RSS for Newsvine. Why not?

I've been wanting a way to specify and organize the news I want to see...like a news feed. You are on the right track. The more you let your users customize how they want to see the news, the better.

What about solid support for Macintosh. I am a Mac user for over a decade and too often the "old" MSNBC website tells me; "Dear Safari User, your browser is not supported to view this content".
This is for video, some interactive stuff and sometimes slideshows.
I use Safari an Firefox exclusively.  I understand that the MS in MSNBC has a meaning, but news should be deliverd to all platforms in the same fashion without limitation.

Here are three of my peeves with you, MSNBC… “respectfully sumitted for your approval.”
-Ads, yes I know they're necessary, someone's gotta pay for what you're providing. However--and someone take note of this-- if that ad is 15 secs or so, OK, I'll hang out and wait. If it's 30 seconds... I'm on a new tab and may or may not be back at the end of 30 secs. Don’t you folks have any research that alludes to this? Am I in the minority here, or is accounting overriding marketing analysis?
-News blackout on weekends... yeah, that's a biggy but the other major outlets are just as guilty... not excusing you guys in the least. hint, hint!!! Don't relegate the weekends to the interns. My lifestyle isn’t a M-F, 8-5 lifestyle, so when you’re site IS just that, it looses relevance.
-Organization... yeah, lot's of stuff, like fly specs, it's all over the place. I'll trust you’ve addressed this.
-Viewer feedback… hmmm…. Why is it so difficult to provide you with just that? When I find a site that makes my leaving feedback a chore to find and use, I can’t help but think it’s by design. “WHY don’t you want to hear from your users?”, I think. So, why, MSNBC, don’t you want to hear from you’re consumers?
That’s it… unless you guys pull a real *****, I’ll be with ya for the haul.

I don't watch your videos because of the ads.  

If you REALLY want to make me happy, lose the excessive use of Flash.  No, I didn't say lose video, just don't use Flash for it.  Flash is too hard to disable selectively and I (and others I know) just refuse to allow Flash to run because all of the extremely annoying and disatracting animated ads come with it when we do.  Until Flash is easier to turn on one a case by case basis, all your use of it does is make all of that content unavailable to some of us who just can't stand those annoying ads that force themselves into out faces.

I'm curious if there will be a fix for broken javascript links on your site.  None of your video or photo gallery links work on my Vista machine which is very disappointing.  I haven't been able to find any information on how to correct it.

I really believe that all of those that have  written in to complain, just don't get it.
They have been swallowed up in the "I want it instantly world".  So you have to wait a few seconds for an ad to run, let it run sit back and just relax for those few seconds, do a little breathing exercise and you'll probably enjoy the material you've waited to see because, just maybe you've cleared your mind and can now think a little clearer about the main subject matter.
MSNBC.MSN.com is, with out a doubt the best news source on the Internet. It has been my homepage for a long time,and all I can say is "KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK"!!!!!!!

maybe I will be able to watch news clips on my mac?

I'm a web designer too.
Someone suggested that you let users play with the design. I emphatically agree. You should open up a permanent public forum, allowing  your readers to submit alternative designs, and to see the designs that others have submitted. They could post JPGs or SWF files of looks they’d like to see. There are a lot of graphic designers and Flash designer/developers out here who could make some great contributions to this already great site.  I myself, have wanted to have that opportunity for many years now. Note that the SWF file support is vital because a developer can demonstrate new menu systems among many other wild possibilities. We’ve all seen the I-phone. That says it all.
If you’re going to let us submit News pictures and News stories, then it sounds like you’ll have the infrastructure in place to easily implement a public forum for site design submission.

Now here’s my critique in mere words:
Overall the look is pretty nice.
Of the new features, here’s what I particularly like:
1.  I very much like that you can compress the headers, showing 0 or more stories under each. The challenge is to maximize access to stories while minimizing scrolling, this feature helps to accomplish that.
2. The EXPLORE section with tabs at the top of the page also helps to minimize scrolling.

What has always attracted me to MSNBC is:
1. The fly-out Menu
2. The Videos are pretty well done and getting better, ESPECIALLY now that you're using Flash video.
By the way, I think a 15 second spot preceding one of 3 videos is a good compromise between the user’s interests and the advertiser’s interests.
3. The Photo-with-Headline which is often impactful and visually compelling. It's the one thing that gives MSNBC a bit of a polished magazine feel.
NOTE: PLEASE don't get rid of this feature. If you do, you'll just be another CNN... and nobody wants that.
My guess about this is that you guys want to be able to edit headlines without having to edit a photo. Well you could have both. With Flash or Java you could make an Image Updater Thingy that dynamically pulls in the new headline and displays it in the text field on the negative space of the photo, then spits out a JPG and uploads it to the right folder and the right filename. The text could have the desired font with drop shadow and all. With a little fancy coding the type could even auto-size and auto-track to wrap without leaving a last line that is short and unattractive (known as a “hanger”).  I’m not saying that this will replace the Graphic Designer as we know them, but it will make the process either automatic, or super quick for your staff.

Lastly I’d like to say  (in mere words) that a well thought out LAYOUT GRID is what makes a publication profoundly attractive and compelling, or hopelessly jumbled and confusing. Alignment  and White Space are both under-rated and this new site represents a step    s i d e w a y s   in the Layout department. MSNBC has been ok in the layout area and the new site appears to be equally ok, but not by any means spectacular. But with some tweaks, it really could be. . .  spectacular.
I hope one day soon, you’ll give your readers the opportunity to offer their best ideas, in pictures and animations, not just in mere words.

PS, I forgot one important suggestion! Like many others, KEEP THE NEWS GOING ON THE WEEKENDS! I feel like once Friday hits, everyone goes home until Monday morning. I need my MSNBC everyday!

Add a social aspect ala Digg.com... Even if you don't show the news based on what viewers want to see, at least you (we) would know what everyone thought of a particular article/issue... this = true democracy and now is possible on the net.

MSNBC is the only major news site that doesn't have popups on it's home page (last time I checked). I hate them. I've nothing against ads on web pages as long as they're not popups and not those busy, loud flash ads that distract me from reading the page. So, good for you, MSNBC! Also, I'd like to watch video but I don't because of the 30 second ads I must watch first. Tacky.
Sean

I live in Argentina. I'm a journalist. You've been my homepage for the last six, seven years. And you've been able to induce me into many stories with no connection to my country but deeply connected to me in human terms. I also find in MSNBC deep and engaging political or economic content.
I really liked what I've seen of your redesign. This looks like a big step towards the creation of a real multimedia interactive publication. I'd like to see how your new ideas operate in real time out of the lab. My bet is it'll be better still.

What ever news you present on video, please also present it in a written format. I would rather read the information.

I am really bummed about losing your links to both the Washington Post and NEWSWEEK.

I'd like to respond to Bruce, NH

Bruce said:
"Flash is too hard to disable selectively and I (and others I know) just refuse to allow Flash to run because all of the extremely annoying and distracting animated ads come with it when we do."

As a Flash developer, I certainly understand the problem that Bruce is talking about, and in fact I have complained to MSNBC on a few occasions about their lack of advertising standards.
Regarding Flash specifically, I'd like to point out that like any medium, Flash can be abused. It can be used by amateurs and hacks. Obnoxious messages can be put forth with it. On the other hand, like any medium, it can be used with skill, tact and subtlety.

We've all seen and heard those obnoxious ads from your local car dealer. Whether on the radio or on TV, they're yelling and acting in whatever absurd way they can to get your attention.

But you can't blame the entire medium of TV or Radio because it is abused by thoughtless and selfish advertisers.

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:

1.ADVERTISING STANDARDS:
MSNBC could AND SHOULD establish advertising standards. They should just come out and tell those tactless advertisers that an ad is too distracting and that perhaps the motion should play one time and stop, instead of repeating endlessly. Perhaps the motion should be slower so that it does not draw the eye too much and throw off the visual balance of the page.

2. BAN BUTTON:
Unlike TV, the web is interactive. So if an ad is considered borderline by MSNBCs newly established advertising standards,  it would be possible to require an advertiser to add a BAN THIS AD button.  When a user clicks the BAN button the ad would disappear and would not appear on that users computer again (unless the user deletes cookies).  The number of BANs would be registered by MSNBC internally and could be used as feedback for advertisers. Once the BANned ad disappears, one of two things might happen.

 2a: A new ad could pop up. This ad would be one with the fewest BANs against it, or it would be an ad with a static image only.

 2b: A survey could pop up in the ad space asking why you BANned the ad. Three or four radio buttons and a text field to write a response should suffice. Again, this lets the advertisers learn what they're doing wrong.
To site an example: The "Head-On" company is NEVER going to get a penny out of me, and I'd tell them so if there was a feedback channel in place to conveniently do so.


Once an ad has been banned by a sufficient number of users, MSNBC should tell that advertiser to come up with a new ad that clearly meets MSNBCs advertising standards. These are just a few of many possibilities that could be implemented, but these few ideas would be a good start to alleviating a problem that both Bruce and I agree, is a significant one.

From the sneak preview, it does appear the change is better--more appealing and seeminly better organized. The old style had too much of a list appearance. Sure, the new design will be more work for many people, but it seems will be more pleasant for the user. I come to MSNBC 4-6 times a day for news catch up. Thanks.

Thanks for admitting that the surveys were annoying!  That pesky little survey window wsa very irriating and the survey itself was really long, if I had known that I probably wouldn't have taken it.

Looking forward to the changes, MSNBC is the first place I go for news everyday, and I don't expect that to change

I truly love and depend on MSNBC; I'm a real news geek and this has long been my home page, and one of the few on the web that I return to multiple times daily. I would greatly prefer that you DON'T mess with it at all...if it isn't broke, don't fix it, and your site is far from broke. I don't really need more video, just your in-depth news coverage of everything from world news to health, technology and entertainment. I will add my voice to the chorus that has requested more weekend coverage.

another thing I'd add.....I look at MSNBC a lot (more than I should) at the office and video is not an option for me because then my coworkers will know what I'm up to. :)

I think i'm not alone in this....for my type of user, we need more text/graphics and less video/audio (noise).

As a Canadian I am always interested with what my neighbours to the south are doing. I visit MSNBC a couple of times a day for my world news and is my breakfast companion. As a Mac user I am glad more compatibility with safari is coming. New layout looks great. How soon is coming soon?

Everytime I just get used to the new fomat you make another change,I love you guys and visit you 30 times a day. just keep it simple and let us have the choice if we want more. Keep up the good work!

I'm concerned about wide screen viewing.  It is very annoying to have to keep slidding the bottom bar back and forth if you happen to have a somewhat smaller screen.  I don't like to be pushed by technology because the equipment manufacturer is playing one up on another manufacturer for dollars and changing peoples lives in the process...don't we have enough "I gotta have the biggest and best" regardless of what it costs?  If MSNBC is playing to the latest gadget craze to accomodate the few- I'm gone.  "From the begining", is a long time for a relationship to be disolved...why can't technology provide it both ways and let the viewer choose wide screen viewing or regular by clicking a button?  Some folks keep smaller screens because its more accomodating to them.

I've been a HUGE fan of msnbc.com ever since I worked in building 25 nine years ago.

Even now, I find myself visiting msnbc.com several times a day from my office, just to remain on top of the current issues going on in the world.  I love the content, the depth and breadth of the reporting.

But this...?

I hate this new design.  This is a horrible display of a big, successful, online news outlet, trying to keep up with... with who exactly?  Those small fries, that have immature devs creating the lame interfaces to display their content?  MSNBC is much better than that.  Don't try to mimic those morons just to give us something "new".

The left justified menu, with mouse-over popup menus, that fits so well to someone that just wants to go right to what he wants.  Quick and to the point, and very user friendly.  This new design is very ugly.

Bring back my old msnbc.com.

I'm not against change, but I'm really disappointed in the redesign of msnbc.com. It doesn't display correctly on my iMac, which is not even a year old. I like to just scan the headlines as a list separated by subheads, but the new layout looks a little too busy for quick-scanners like me.

Please  please don't ruin what was there..I am now going thru the site..I just went thru an "upgrade" with theComcast site, and just about it hate it, will shortly no longer be my home page at home..I was gong to have MSNBC my home page, and there you go changing it...oh the pain..I now have to go thru another withdrawal..oh, i can go back to CNN before I "discovered" MSNBC..oh no, they are changed, too..Is there a conspiracy out there?..MSNBC has always been my favorite so, OK, it is done deal, I have to live with it..please be kind to your giant fan base...

All of my personalization is gone, including my stock list and hometown weather!

How about putting the stock market results on the home page????????????

I think the change is good.  I find it so interesting how we find any type of change to be  hard to adapt to. Any change for the brain to adjust to is work. With that said, I think, this is a good excercise for our brains. As for me, I first thought that the site was difficult to adjust to.  After ten minutes of just touring around, I found the format to be very easy well displayed. At times I think we are too quick to jump to conclusions with negative thoughts rather than giving ourseleves time to see the positives of change. This also shows how fast and rushed we as a society live and expect things to be there for us in a split second. This new design will be there for us in a split second, if only we would take the time to let our brains ajust and learn something new. MSNBC....Good Job!  CS, New York  

Wow, you've really received some very informing and interesting comments this morning. Here's another for you. You used to be able to email a story by a small link at the bottom of the story. I was promised years ago that would be incorporated again. It never has been. I would like you to add that link so I can pass on pertinent information to others. By the way, I too, have had you as my homepage since you started the website. Everything these folks have told you today pretty much sits well with me. Good luck, and don't forget, we're the folks that know what we want.

The site looks great. I liked being able to easily smush and bury the sections in which I have no interest.  However, life is too short to read the agreement required participate in the interactive features, which seems to have terms applying to and specific to a jillion possible future interactions with some (or many) corprate entities, some involving money.  So with a click on cancel, or whatever it was, I'll be a just a read-only participate for this site.  

Also, I did like being able to find a read my favorite Newsweek articles and columnists before the magazine arrived in the mail, or when away from home. I'm hoping that's in here somewhere.

More is not always better; sometimes it's just more annoying.  I work exclusively on my laptop and like to keep my Favorites pane open.  With the new design, I have to either close the Favorites pane or constantly scroll back and forth to see your main screen -- AND I have to scroll down to see more than a few headlines.  I chose to MSNBC as my home page because of its simple, straighforward, listed (sorry W. Willard)design that allowed me to see the highlights on one screen and choose what *I* wanted to see more of.  I guess I'll be trolling the net for a new home page that doesn't sacrifice straighforward information for flash.  Oh, and I really don't care what my other consumers think is news.  What ever happened to real journalism?