New threads at AccountingWeb but several steps back

In its first major redesign in more than 10 years, AccountingWeb has undergone a substantial makeover. They are soliciting feedback so here it goes. I like they’ve taken a more modern approach with a more graphical ‘feel.’ It’s fresh and easier on the eye than the previous version. In the process they’ve taken several retrograde steps back.

First, all Sift Media sites are built using Drupal. That means the average customer (they sell website development as part of their offering) will HAVE to engage with Sift for maintenance or changes. Drupal is a solid open source system but its community is one of the most hostile I’ve ever come across. It’s also one of the toughest systems to get your head around. Experienced Drupal users I’ve spoken to in the past have said that it can be difficult to work with. I found it a confusing nightmare at version 5. If you’ve always got to go back to the provider for changes then that’s a hidden lock in. Having said that, you can build great sites with Drupal – if you’ve got the time and mental energy.

Second, AccountingWeb has taken the extraordinary step of ADDING a login requirement BEFORE you can read full articles. C’mon people – we’re living in a time when openness is the way forward, not building more walled gardens. Over at ZDNet, some of us have been arguing that its laborious sign up process was hindering conversation. Thankfully, management has seen sense and made sign up and sign in a much more streamlined and easy process. In erecting a barrier to seeing the content, AccountingWeb sends the wrong message to professionals.

Third, the site is implying that those who sign in are part of their community and readers are encouraged to use that position to create their own blogs inside the walled garden. Sift Media is a commercial advertising based organization. Any content they can leverage will be used to sell ad space on their property. Where’s the benefit to you?

Finally, despite my best efforts, I can’t find AW’s copyright policy. Is search there still broken? If I’m contributing anything to Sift then I want to know who owns what and how it is going to be used.

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Tagged as: Drupal, Open source