THE Globular Mail isn't impressing the pros. No comments, no links to source material, and its crab-like sideways crawl is rated a huge annoyance. Here is one observation from the Technology Spectator's critique:
If Global Mail readers wish to provide feedback or comment or add to a story they must email the publisher. “Please note that while we appreciate all feedback, we do not guarantee all letters will appear on the website,” proclaims the site – as if it's readers had dipped nib into ink and crafted their comment on parchment. The Global Mail’s stated desire to step back from the “breathless 24/7 news cycle” is admirable and should help ensure a high standard of quality. But applying old media models that drive one-way conversation to a new media platform won’t help the Global Mail build a loyal following.
Also interesting is author Charis Palmer's news that patron Graeme Wood owns most of Hunted Media, the outfit responsible for the Global Mail's, er, innovative horizontal design. So, not only does Wood list the "impartial" Global Mail as his email address on forms declaring seven-figure donations to the Greens, he also is supporting the site out of one pocket and slipping the development cash into another.
If Gina Rinehart begins to make her presence felt at Fairfax, we can expect to hear lots of luvvie suggestions that the company be wrested from her control and run as an employee co-operative. Few luvvies have to balance books, pay taxes or meet a weekly payroll, but they always imagine their unique brand of competence would see things done better. This may be because luvvies enjoy nothing so much as a good meeting, but their compulsion to rabbit on in the company of the like-minded is a topic for another day.
They should keep an eye on the developing, gold-plated debacle that is the Global Crab and think again -- if they have ever thought before, that is.
Oh, and if you want a prediction, mark this one: Very soon we are going to see lots of sniping from other leftoids. Nothing gets a luvvie more angry than the thought of a fellow luvvie doing better, especially if money is involved. See, for example, Lavatory Pronto's Mark Bahnisch's gripe that the fix was in when Crikey's Jonathan Green assumed the post of The Drum's editor. Bahnisch also wanted the job, you see. Not even Margaret Simon's assurances that the selection was above aboard entirely calmed the Lavatorian's suspicions of being dudded.
WELL THAT DIDN'T TAKE LONG: As predicted, the first miffed luvvies are piling on.
WELL THAT DIDN'T TAKE LONG: As predicted, the first miffed luvvies are piling on.
