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Tim, Atlanta, GA — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 14:41:50 GMT

MSNBC has always had the best web page over other news sites such as CNN, FOXNews and USATODAY. I am looking forward to this new roll-out.

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Stewart Gefflin, Richmond, VA — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 15:01:44 GMT

Will this new homepage work with Safari?

I have always been very frustrated that MSNBC didn't support the mac.

Thanks

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Christopher C. Gagliardi, Englewood, New Jersey — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 15:17:07 GMT

Excellent, but let me make one suggestion...

Can ya make webcams accessable to us and stuff?

Christopher

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Wyman Marshall — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 15:21:37 GMT

Looks fantastic, I look forward to using it!

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Sunil — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 15:41:23 GMT

Sweet....you guys are not afraid of new tech and to try new ****, thats neat a new way to get your news.

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Dylan C — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 16:16:51 GMT

I dont like it. TOo much like CNBC and MSNBC..blah.

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Jim Burch , Huntersville, NC — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 16:25:17 GMT

Please stop rollovers from opening automatic when you pass over them with your mouse ... Plese stop taking up room at the top of our home
page with advertisement's LET US GET TO THE NEWS FIRST ... then allow us to open the advertisement
Thank You

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Vijay Persaud, Toronto, Canada — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 16:36:24 GMT

Looks very slick easy to find pertinant stories of interest to you.. Look forward to the new home bookmark

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Robert, Charlotte, NC — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 16:45:25 GMT

Oh my goodness..., I think this new site is going to be great. I can't wait. I must visit your site at least 5 times a day (and have for at the past decade). I'm excited for the new "look and feel." Keep up the good work! 8-)

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Dana Bowersox, Danville, PA — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 17:26:43 GMT

I agree with Stweart, as a recent switcher to the Mac, I hope your site plays nice with Safari as well. If it doesn, I'll be sure to keep msnbc.com as my source for news on the web.

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Dustin Nelson, Renton, WA — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 17:37:58 GMT

Honestly, when I first saw it, i thought it was Yahoo.

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Regular Old Person, Savannah — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 18:52:28 GMT

the Yahoo comment....I agree.

As a steady user of MSNBC, I'll tell you that I like what you have right now....on internal meetings, I'm sure that its easy for your staff to see a million ways to improve the site...but, for people like me (regular, casual, daily users...your meat & potatoes), I just don't see a problem.

also, I'm fearful of this becoming like the Washignton Post redesign (yucko....though I guess people have eventually gotten used to it...but was it worth all of the drama?) and USA Today (which still has lower numbers, I beileve).

I like little changes that are barely noticable....i know that doesn't shake up the marketplace (and that is bad for Sales) but I don't like change and I imagine that 90% of your users feel the same way.

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charles andrew, atlantic beach, florida — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 19:46:09 GMT

would like the local weather and news more toward top of page in order to get a quick glance in the morning(or any time) before getting into things

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Ed Kohler, Minneapolis, MN — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 20:37:39 GMT

I dig it. More usable content above the fold. Sweet.

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Elliot Faermark, Arlington Heights, IL — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 23:20:54 GMT

After searching countless homepages, I landed
on MSNBC. It has been my homepage for a long time. I think the layout and structure is the best. When I noticed the banner about your new look, I was little concerned. I looked at the preview and was very impressed.
Great new look!

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Jon Greenstein - Hasbrouck Hts, NJ — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 00:25:18 GMT

I, too, sure hope it's compatible with Safari. I used to be able to load mnsbc.com videos on my Mac, but since that changed a little while ago, no more.

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Jim Ray — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 01:20:26 GMT

To everyone writing about compatibility across browsers and platforms, we've heard you loud and clear! Much of the new redesign was coded on Macbook Pros with support for Safari and Firefox at the top of our list. I've written a post addressing accessibility issues specifically, please feel free to leave specific comments over there. As the site rolls out, we'll be looking for more feedback with specific issues.

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margeray@triad.rr.com — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 01:42:36 GMT

MSNBC has been my home page for several years and at first look, the new one looks kinda overloaded (or Messy). Maybe it will grow on me. Marge, Elkin, NC

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High Priestess Kang, t00bz, intern3tz — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 02:24:23 GMT

MSNBC is my homepage for home and work. After years of the same, I feel comfortable and safe with intuitive usage. I wish you the best of luck with the change. If you hear someone screaming and cursing while trying to locate something...that's me.

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Jerome <Spokane, WA — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 02:29:02 GMT

I Like the smoooth look! I would like live cameras of msnbc news when its available. Oh, and I hope theres no POP UPS!!! Everything should stay in the same window.

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Fred Rossi, Dover, DE — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 06:17:46 GMT

looks great, how about letting us play with it now??

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alex, st paul, mn — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 07:07:39 GMT

like many others, msnbc has been my homepage for years. i agree with jim burch, those drop down menus are pretty annoying when you're just hovering over them (single click would be nice). also, i really dislike the recent change in your msnbc video format--it seems really cluttered and i can't stand that advertisement that pops out of the side of the video screen and covers the video options (a commercial is already playing simultaneously! PLEASE CHANGE). the format looks more like that of a newspaper to me, i like it. clean and sharp

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william lundy ypsilanti, Mich — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 07:31:26 GMT

I'm in agreement with Fred. Why not let us have access now? It really look's great.
William, Ypsilanti, MI

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CarolRose, Las Vegas — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 08:15:09 GMT

Reminds me of Yahoo, except they update their news more often. My MSN is now reading "updated 1 hour and 47 min. ago"....pretty sorry, eh? hahahah

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Eric M., Delaware, Ohio — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 15:44:55 GMT

This new design looks amazing -- a home run! And with your newly enhanced Mac support in the design, I can't wait! Bravo to the entire team -- this is the best news site redesign I've seen in years!

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Michael, Florida — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 16:17:25 GMT

Looks much better. MSNBC had long been the best designed site, but the recent changes to the links and header have made it looked cluttered and inconsistent. I for one have defected to another, better designed news site, but a new look may be enough to get me back.

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Kevin Dreslinski — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 16:29:37 GMT

I'm an web designer / information architect for a large newspaper in Ohio, and I have to say I love this new design. It's clean, easier to access more information with less scrolling. Customizing the layout is a nice touch too. I'm curious to see what the story page layout will look like. Keep up the good work.. I can't wait to see this launch.

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Murray, Ky — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 16:51:22 GMT

Your masthead disappears in this redesign. You might consider extending the white background all the way to the top of the page.

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James Linnehan — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 18:05:52 GMT

Please make it adjustable to fill wide screen monitors. no scrolling necessary on wide screen.
new page looks great.

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Pete, Albany, NY — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 21:29:14 GMT

I'm wondering if you are using any type of content management software. ie. Present content to the user based upon previous and current articles read?

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Dennis, Richmond VA — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 21:39:52 GMT

Your new homepage is even worse than the old one for those of us behind a corporate firewall. msnbcmedia.msn.com has been blocked for over a year. Any images stored there do not make it to us.

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Matthew, Turlock, CA — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 22:56:58 GMT

I would like to see if any possibility MSNBC can provide closed captioning on their video messages so that Deaf and Hard of Hearing indivduals like myself will be able to understand the videos as part of accomodating us upon the Americans with Disabilities Act. Thank you!

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Golden, Valenica, CA — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 23:46:18 GMT

Newspaper design is taken seriously by many. Typefaces, grids, hierarchy, and other elements are considered carefully. That attitude derives from generations of serious bookmakers and printers. Unfortunately that attitude does not carry online.

Rarely are online newspapers well-designed, and almost never are TV news websites designed with the same level of thought as some newspapers. Sadly, there are many things that could be fixed in this new design for MSNBC.com that could make it much more effective that are likely to be ignored and will continue to be unconsidered until someone realizes the importance and effectiveness of better design online. It seems that this redesign is driven more by trends and code than it is by purpose and intent. In other words, more flashy over more effective.

Hierarchy in design is the idea that you can control the user's eye to see the most important element first, the second most important element second, and so on. If a design has many elements, like a newspaper often does, hierarchy is important to make a page easy for the reader to scan and gather information.

Take a look at the new MSNBC.com beta page. "Dictator Dead" in all caps first. MSNBC logo at the top second. And then your eye gets lost in the strange and unnecessary gradients of the NBC colors.

What do those colors add to the delivery of news? How do they make the page more useful to visitors? Is this area really third most important at a news website?

That's a simple example. There are many others, and much more to say about hierarchy alone.

There is much more I could write, but I doubt much more work will be done on the redesign, so I feel like I'd be wasting my time, but I am thankful that I can at least comment before launch.

In short, the page is a whole may take leaps and bounds over the previous in usability, but it does not yet achieve an effective, informative layout.

Thank you for your time.

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dan — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 15:41:15 GMT

Interesting format, but I think you should keep TOP NEWS the default as opposed to "Americas or World NEWS".

Also, dont make your page too wide because most deault settings are set to scroll up and down.

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Identity Theft — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 19:48:27 GMT

I really like the new layout, nowhere near as "noisy" as the old layout. Makes news items alot easier to read

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Nelson Buck, Red Bluff, Ca — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 21:04:35 GMT

I really don't know about the new page. I think I will have to live with it awhile before I can truly comment.

BUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IF IT RETAINS A ROLLOVER POPUP FEATURE WHEN I MOVE THE MOUSE TO THE EXPLORER TASK BARS-- I WILL FIND A NEW "HOME PAGE" TO USE. I EXPECT ADVERTISING -- IT GOES WITH THE SERVICE, BUT WHEN IT INTERFERES WITH MY USE OF MY COMPUTER, I GET VERY UPSET.

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Gregg Johnson, Lincoln, NE — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 22:15:24 GMT

Golden, Valenica, CA is precisely right on every count. Golden clearly has a complete grasp of the vital principles of design, and unfortunately, an accurate view of what forces drive the design of the layout.

Design should NEVER take a back seat to a programmer's interests. The goal is to serve the READER... not the programmer... not even the advertisers (shocking as it may seem).

The following is a small excerpt from a rather lengthy comment I posted in the feedback section titled: A Letter From The Editor In Chief.

"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."

I'd very much like to see what Golden, Valenica, CA and other talented readers, would submit, and I'd even like to make a contribution myself.

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Duke Weir Meridian, Idaho — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 22:24:23 GMT

Great... It's time for a change, instead of the same old thing.. Have the weather be able to post several cities in the same view. GO FOR IT!

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Bill James — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 00:25:42 GMT

Will it be optimized for WIDESCREEN monitors?

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Doug Hemphill, New York NY — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 18:22:41 GMT

I seriously, SERIOUSLY hope that there is a small icon of some sort, ANY sort, indicating for EVERY news link which ones lead to VIDEO instead of text. The current MSNBC format (of which I've begged and pleaded for a fix) does not indicate all links that lead to videos, and if clicked, they open a video box and often crash my system. I want to know BEFORE clicking on ANY link, AANY photo, ANY area, ANY item that it is a VIDEO and not text. I do not know why MSNBC has so far refused to do this SIMPLE thing of identifying which type of media is associated with a link. I will continue to primarily rely on cnn.com (which DOES show EVERY link that leads to video) until MSNBC catches up to 2003/2004.

And I agree the rollover pop-up and menu extending is really irritating. I often wonder if the designers of MSNBC webpage actually ever use it? Reminds me of my first car in which it was obvious the builders/designers never sat in a production model.

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B. Colbath, Somersworth, NH — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 04:54:32 GMT

I have used MSMNC exclusively as my home page and up-to-the-minute news for years. If there is one thing I can't stand, its a webpage that does not fit on my screen from side to side. I have a decent sized monitor. I find this is a problem with a number of sites, esp. catalog sites. Its annoying to have to scroll left & right AND up & down. Please don't make the same mistake with MSNBC.

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J. Raven — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 06:57:51 GMT

Great job ... progress ... BUT, where is Local Weather option on home page??

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Robb Falcon — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 07:14:02 GMT

MSNBC has alwawy been my home page, please make the weather just as prominent as before.Remember it is the first website that come up when my computer comes on.So far the new look is impressive.

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Michael Crick,Louisville Kentucky — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 08:03:04 GMT

I think the new homepage will be great just like the old one but could you add a page (where are now) page new photos and updated bio too that would be good

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Robet Webber, Fairfield, Ohio — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 13:06:36 GMT

I'm a long time MSNBC user and fan. From the new digs at NBC for Brian Williams to your new look here, you've done a great job. Even better is your continuing excellence in gathering the news from around the world and reporting it back to your viewers and readers. Nobody does it better.

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Praveen, Fort Worth, Texas — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 14:52:05 GMT

Looks good. Hope you guys considered other fonts.

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Bill Knox, Amarillo, Texas — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 15:40:09 GMT

Video doesn't run on Mac OS 10.4.10

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chuck badger — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 16:00:12 GMT

For me, a successful web site has first glance coverage of local weather, markets, local news and sports, and only then in depth national and international news. I want the first three to hit me in the face immediately. I'm sure you are going to continue that pattern.

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Don Maple, Goose Creek, SC — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 16:01:15 GMT

OK, so this morning (Nov 10, 07) I open the site and there is this horrible thing there. Is this some sort of beta test? The site looked just peachy before. Why are you messing with it, really? Some new boss wants to put his/her stamp on things? That would be the normal thing.

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Charlotte Katz, Bonita Springs, FL — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 17:30:46 GMT

I can't read across your new page without scrolling, on my 16" flat screen. That's a real problem. MSNBC has been my home page forever. Thanks.

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Ian Fowler, Punta Gorda, Florida — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 17:34:36 GMT

Please get rid of the rollovers, that is the most aggravating thing imaginable. Will "Week in pictures" return?

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Devaney, Lake Charles, Louisiana — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 17:35:59 GMT

Very refreshing! Thanks for the creativity.

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vivian flamenco — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 17:39:18 GMT

why mess with something that was already really good? now, I have to learn all over again where things are.

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Robert C, Lockett, Meridian, Idaho — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 17:39:28 GMT

Again, a excellent product for giving us who access your web page for up to date and informative news. Great "Customer Service"

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Phil Q, Aberdeen NC — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 17:40:26 GMT

Decent redesign. Is there any way the ads can be smaller? Otherwise I'll be happy to start using the BBC for my web news information just as I do for television.

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R Copa, Fort Lauderdale, FL — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 17:41:10 GMT

Something i use several times a day just got better. Wonderful! You did a great job with the new layout. Thank you,

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Scott Myre — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 17:57:42 GMT

I really like the new look, but I'm not seeing how I can personalize the front page with my stocks or sports scores like I could with the old design.

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Ron Hodge, Atlanta, GA — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 18:09:26 GMT

I'm using a Windows XP, and almost nothing shows up on my browser, and I've tried both Firefox and IE with Norton 2007 Internet Security. The menus also don't slide out. I loved the old version, but am very disappointed that the new one is not functional, with lots of empty spaces on the page. Any suggestions to fix this?

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Wil Jones, Clinton, MD — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 18:10:34 GMT

I love the new site! I have been a fan of msnbc.com forever (well not really as I haven't been alive since then) lol. But it is my homepage and I have been waiting for the new look. I agree that the weather feature would be great when it comes online again. I also just like the new look because it is cleaner, crisp and more professional!

In reply to Doug I have to say that on the old site there was a little camera icon that showed which links were video so I am not sure what you are referring to. I understand your frustration but I seem to remember there was something designating videos.

For Colbath the site has always fit into my screen and the new one does now. Obviously you won't be able to stop the up and down scroll that is just not realistic for a site with so much information that we all want. But I can understand not wanting to have to scroll left and right which for me the new site doesn't scroll at all.

All and all I give the new look a A+. It is a site for my generation and I am impressed as a web designer! MSNBC.com will continue to be my homepage!

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J. Douglas, Lake Mary, FL — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 18:34:08 GMT

Well done - The multi-level fly-outs are productive.

Would like to see the ability to establish a custom news section for stories that fit keywords or that auto-populates based on recent pages visited.

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Bill S — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 18:51:51 GMT

You went from a very good and easy to navigate web site to a slick looking piece of junk. I, for one, will no longer look to msnbc for my news fix. Thanks for nothing.

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Bob Zeller, San Angelo, Texas — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 18:53:21 GMT

I love your new format and I've always liked your news coverage. And of course I have used it as my home page for years. But one question. Where is the crossword puzzle? I miss it.

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loir — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 19:17:50 GMT

I love MSNBC but I'm not very educated about home computing. I usually go on line at least once a day - I loved the crossword which I can't find on this new page. What happened to it?

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ETB Cape Cod, Mass — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 19:29:16 GMT

You all have been working very hard and strong, good job!!!....but I would like my e-mail one click away. Also, my stocks and weather on the "roll up"....please.... thank you, ETB.

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Joanne Wells, Cibolo TX — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 19:31:56 GMT

A pleasant surprise (the new format) when I opened the homepage this morning. I like (positives first!) what you deem "most important" placed foremost; I always look at the weather and stock market, so I like the up-front placement. Don't like: I sometime inadvertently open a "video;" I really, really don't like the video proceeding directly to an ad. I delete the entire video immediately.

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Richmond, VA — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 20:04:13 GMT

The new design is pretty and flashy. I DO NOT like the widescreen design!!! Also, when I try to "go back" to the previous page after reading a story it doesn't do it. So I have to use the home page button and it takes forever. I had to totally close and re-open. Sorry to be leaving MSNBC but I don't have the time or patience to deal with this. I probably won't find anything much better. This is the only homepage I've ever had.

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Bryan Tucson, AZ — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 21:46:06 GMT

I like the new look and what not, but you still need to work on it. I can not see the comics none of the links work. What happened???????????????? I miss my daily "Dog Eat Doug" fix. I am just glad the bussiness and tech links still work.

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Michael McClintock, Oklahoma City, OK — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 21:50:00 GMT

Great Improvement. I like what you did to my home page...

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Joyce Camper,Rosebud Creek, Montana — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 22:29:42 GMT

A very pleasant surprise. After what USAToday did to their site, I was worried.

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Leon Conner, Martinez, Georgia — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 19:19:47 GMT

Nice look, but there are some annoying things; I move boxes but they don't stay there when I come back to the site. I move them for a reason. They should stay there. I select how many stories to display and it doesn't stay set the next time I visit. I don't want to 'customize' the appearance every time I visit. It also does not display the same way in Mozilla Firefox as it does in IE which is also annoying

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Dori; Schaumburg, IL — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 22:29:52 GMT

LOVE the new look! Outstanding job. Definitely a big improvement over what CNN is doing these days.

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Ron Hausauer. Holland, New York — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 23:04:09 GMT

This is really BAD!! Like the person toward the end of the comments, I too have a 17
inch monitor and nothing fits. I have to do this giant scroll sideways too see everthing and anything. I really enjoy MSNBC and have my e-mail on it. But I my have to homepage another site if this is the way it must be. You guys really missed the boat Is there a fix?

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Paul M — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 23:17:36 GMT

Apparently the new screen size format is 9X16 which is too wide for my 3x4 monitor. I can't be bothered shifting from left to right all of the time. If you can provide a size "option", I will stay with you, otherwise I will move to another site.

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Teresa Austin, Louisville, KY — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 00:02:44 GMT

I used Netscape as my Home Page until it was bought out by AOL, who then proceeded to completly ruin it by making it "trendy." AOL's home page is a joke as far as I'm concerned. I then searched around for a new site and chose MSNBC. Now it seems that you too may have decided to promote process over content. I will reserve judgement until the "transformation" is complete, but I admit that I fear that you may simply be creating yet another "McWebPage" where flashy graphics,excessive links,ads, and fluff trump the clear display of important content.

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Ben Tesch — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 22:11:20 GMT

I've tried to cover as many questions about where the stocks, news, sports, weather and other things are here: http://alphachannel.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/11/21/477438.aspx

We're still trying to sort everything out and respond to as much as we can, so sorry about any delay.