Journalists working on the web would do well to read “30 Usability Issues To Be Aware Of” on Smashing Magazine. It offers handy tips on issues such as the 3-click-rule: people should be able to find what they are looking for within 3 mouse clicks. For journalists without a background in web development and design, it also offers a great glossary of usability terms. Now there is no excuse for

Big news in the world of participatory journalism, with MSNBC buying Newsvine for an undisclosed sum. Newsvine continues to operate as a separate site, while MSNBC looks at ways of incorporating its social and community features. Newsvine CEO Mike Davidson explains the deal on his personal blog: So why would an independent, cost-efficient, growing startup like Newsvine which has taken very little venture capital want to join a huge organization

The Knight News Challenge describes newspapers as the glue that used to hold communities together. Of course, technology has changed everything. Now, instead, it is not the news media that is providing the online glue, but new players such as Facebook and MySpace. Social media has proved a runaway hit, especially among Canadians. A report by Ipsos Reid has found that Canadians spend an average of 5.4 hours per week

From the Financial Times, the New York newsagent that doesn’t sell newspapers. It is a witty story, with the reporter in a “state of shock” and “nauseous” at the lack of newspapers. But the reason, from the newsagent’s point of view, was purely economic: The people who distribute newspapers in New York are always late, said our man. “And they rip me off.” He was making 2c on a Post