An Open Letter to "BuzzFlash"

[Yollam]

Dear BuzzFlash,

Thank you for all your wonderful work in collecting and posting all the useful and interesting progressive-oriented stories over the years. You've become a valued resource to me and many other progressives. I do have one minor gripe, though, that I wish you would consider. Over the last few years, I've noticed that the sheer bulk of stories, as well as the length of the titles, has made the page a bit of a chore to wade through.

May I request the following:

1. With the exception of very big stories, please relegate the previous days' stories to an archive page that people could go to to backtrack.

2. Please limit the wordiness of the link titles. Example from today's page - "Key GOP Governors Threaten to Block Port Deal in Which Bush Gives Away Our National Security to Supporters of Al Qaida. Hard to Believe, But True. All Those Busheviks are Aiding and Abetting the Enemy Rather Than Being Disloyal to Their Cult Leader, Except for These Governors Who Value National Security Over Carlyle Group Type Politics in the White House."

How about "Key GOP Governors Threaten to Block Bush's traitorous and dangerous Port Deal"?

3. This is related to number two. Please, enough with the over-the-top editorializing. I don't mind a little bit of it, but your readers are progressives, they think for themselves and are capable of getting the implications of an article without being beaten over the head with the obvious.

4. Limit the main page to about 20 stories or so, and relegate stories you deem less significant to a linked subpage titled "More Headlines..." or something like that.


I really think that changes of this sort would make the page more pleasant and efficient to read for those of us with busy schedules and little time for wading through this kind of stuff. Seriously, thanks so much and keep up the good work.

Yollam
DU Poster




If you agree (or disagree) with my letter, feel free to let the folks at http://www.buzzflash.com/ know.

[stewert]

1. I Agree..........

Buzzflash has too many links on the front page, the text links are too long, and they leave old links on the front page too long.

I agree with every suggestion you have.........

[Yollam]

2. A few years ago, they were much better - brief and concise.

I don't know why, but the page has gotten so bloated lately that I hesitate to go there, which is a real shame. It really is a great resource.

[elehhhhna]

6. Same here. It's a mess.

[PSPS]

3. Use their time delimiter

When I visit, I always choose 6 hours: http://www.buzzflash.com/?time=6

[Yollam]

4. Thanks for the suggestion.

[wakeme2008]

5. thanks did not know :) nt

[KoKo]

7. I love their editorializing. Since they aren't a Blog or Message Board

it gives them a chance to express their views by having the "catchy captions." I've found Buzz to be much more progressive than many Dem or Liberal sites and that's reflected in their capitoning.

I wish their stories would scroll through by time posted because it would make it easier to find what's new...but I like them for the most part just the way they are. :shrug:

[Yollam]

9. Problem is they're not catchy. They're just long.

For catchy, see bartcop. Buzzflash has got a major case of verbal diarrhea. I'm not totally against a little fun being had with the titles, but brevity is the soul of wit.

[dubyaD40web]

8. Feel free to check out my site.

http://www.dubyaD40.com

[watercolors]

10. Thank you good site

added it to my favorites.

[petersjo02]

11. I quit reading BuzzFlash

for exactly the reasons you list. It is just too much of a chore to wade through it all. I limited my selections to "last two hours" but still just too much stuff, especially the headline editorializing. Page as a whole needs to be more concise. Thanks for doing this. If Buzz listens, I'll go back there again.