New Yorker: Journalism Reality TV

My first impression when looking at this article was that it had simply been 're-printed' onto the web from the print version. Although I don't read The New Yorker it is obvious from the layout that the lack of features tell me this hasn't been made 'web friendly.' For example it is simple black on white in a Times font, most likely the exact same format as used in the print version.

The use (or lack) of embedded, or indeed, any links suggest that not much effort has actually gone in for this to take advantage of the features available online. There were plenty of chances for this article to link to pictures or previous articles to break up what is rather a long piece online. The text would not even need to be changed, a mere enhancement by using the services available on the Internet would have sufficed.

The text does have a picture half way down then first page which updates each time you refresh (which couldn't be done in print), however this is a cartoon which is irrelevant to the story and must just be an attempt to advertise the magazine. It is clear the focus of the website is to sell more issues of their magazine and there is no real attempt to convert it to anything like Monkey magazine which uses almost every web element you can think of.

So it seems that for whatever reason, this is just another example of a print company not using the full benefits of the web and not showing any plans to do so in the near future. Perhaps they feel safe that print will not be replaced?... But perhaps they should at least begin precautionary measures...