The Raleigh News and Observer has unveiled their new site.

It has a cleaner look.

I think the advertisements, whose presentation, of course, is the biggest design challenge, still intrude tremendously.  I resent an advertising header that makes me scroll down for content that doesn't make it to my screen.  But, navigation is simpler and the site is cleaner.

One suggestion would be to let me find the columnists and bloggers by name and with less clicking and scrolling.  If I can't find Barry Saunders, AC Snow, Ruth Sheehan, et al, easily, the site will fail.

The N&O should be able to be a leader in content generation and a solid Google ranking contender.  The organization has extensive archives, and news connections all over North Carolina and the Southeast.  And they have reported growth in traffic to their site while the print edition shrinks.

Unfortunately, they have reduced staff to the point that it diminishes production of compelling stories.  And the losses include many veteran writers whom we miss.

All in all, an improved site.  "Deep and rich" is how the N&O describes it. I'll watch it, especially since the enjoyment of the print edition is declining quickly.