Ian Lamont, managing editor of The Industry Standard, has a sharp eye for what works online and what doesn't. Even as its company struggles to avoid capsizing completely, hard workers at the Boston Globe are trying new things. Ian says their latest, the renovation of their community forums, tacks precisely in the wrong direction: "Boston Globe relaunched forums, but they're doing it all wrong."
Key points, with which I agree: big hairy topic categories are old-fashioned, become extinct quickly, and are too all-pervasive for people to use them. Further, untended forums, i.e. without some kind of gentle prodding from bloggers (or moderators) generally dwindle to nothingness quickly. In the event "Director of Community Publishing Teresa M. Hanafin and her team miss the message," Ian republishes his thinking in his post.
Great observations, Ian.
