The msnbc.com redesign: a Newsvine user's perspective

It sure seems like I have spent the whole day writing, talking and thinking about MSNBC.com and its new Portal to Progress. This evening an associate asked me if I could write a comprehensive article about what Newsviners might think about this refurbished site. At first I was struck with pride at having been asked. On second thought I began to fear the return of my old nemesis; writer's block any time I was asked to produce a special item. On further reflection I began to realize I owed it to Newsviners to do my best to represent what I felt would be their views of the new site. Thinking even farther down the line I began to question why anyone would think that Newsviners would have a viewpoint that differed greatly from Joe/Jane Reader as they surfed along and came upon the site. There is a difference.

How are Newsviners different? They are different because they spend much of their time within a community that has grown and developed because they felt a need for something more in a News Site than the standard fare. They also had developed a stand off position vis-à-vis Main Stream Media (MSM) and the growing establishment of Citizen Journalists (CJs). They had built a wall of distrust or disaffection with MSM that precluded them from participatory contributions to the established publishing sites. They had lived a period of learning and enlightenment that carried them far beyond the normal give and take of social news sites but left them wondering for a way to proceed in this new world of on line news, community and existence.

Along comes MSNBC.com and its new interface with the world. Finally an MSM organization willing to accept the incursion of CJs. Finally the best of both worlds given an opportunity to join forces for the benefit of all. It is in this light that I now recommend MSNBC.com to all my Friends and friends at Newsvine. AND to all those would be CJs who are chomping at the bit to participate in a meaningful way on a fully functional Internet News Site. MSNBC.com has opened a gate of opportunity for all of us. It has done it in a very sophisticated manner with all the whistles and bells we have all come to appreciate. Where the MSM site lacks direct input, that facility is provided through their Community Page which leads you right to Newsvine.

I see a grand future opening before us. We are now able to direct our destiny and efforts toward the chronicles we so love to inscribe. We can now take advantage of an organized system that brings us before a world wide audience to succeed or learn to accept something less based on our talents and willingness to work. We can be masters of our future through the proper and proficient use of the space provided us by the Newsvine/MSNBC.com group.

I did not spend a lot of time telling about the formatting and utilities available at MSNBC.com. This is due to the fact I recognize the ability of Newsviners to discern the fantastic and elaborate facilities put at our disposal. It is up to us to learn its nooks and crannies and to appreciate the effort that has been put forth to create the site. Thank you MSNBC.com for being here. We appreciate your efforts.

Thanks, Jerry Firman (oldfogey)