Online magazine gets a clean 'slate'

By: Sara Crouse

Slate Magazine is an innovation all its own. Online magazines were relatively unheard of before 1996. Then Slate was launched with the hopes of providing an easier way to get all the latest news stories.

Slate had its difficulties in the early years though. The magazine had trouble adjusting to things such as basic web layout and fundamentals of HTML.

One reviewer, Jakob Nielsen, said, “Slate is mainly a failure due to its inability to adjust to the online medium, though it sports several promising innovations and appropriate uses of the Web.”

Besides poor adjustments to online media, Slate was also lacking in its journalism foundations. The articles were simply too long for readers. Almost all stories were well over the traditional 500 word limit.

It seems Slate has adjusted since its beginnings. In fact, its internet reach has grown 175 percent since its subscription went entirely free. Slate does offer the option of a paid subscription to certain columns if you prefer them delivered to your e-mail inbox.

Perhaps the most helpful thing for readers is Slate’s design of displaying the top headlines from national papers. Slate does a great job of giving readers quick access to the top stories of the day from various papers.

Today, the articles are still long, but they are easier to navigate. Articles are grouped into sections, and even provide hyperlinks to as many as three other opinions concerning the article.

Just this weekend, Slate took another step in making its magazine even more user friendly. The website over went a redesign that now feature three top headlines. Users can take their pick.

The redesign was also necessary for Slate’s most recent adaptations to innovations in journalism. Slate now has six blogs linked to its site. Video and podcasts also display the day’s newest stories.

The online magazine has come a long way since its start in 1996.