The Dead Roo

The Greens national website, www.greens.org.au has undergone a major overhaul. Compare the new site with the site circa November 2006 here.

The old blog like front page has been completely replaced. I can only assume this means the old content management system has been dumped. I had such fun teaching computer illiterates the basic html they needed to post items to it…

The new video intro establishes that climate change is ‘the issue’ for the Greens this election. It loads quickly, but unfortunately doesn’t have an off button, and thus subjects the repeat viewer to the sound effects time after time. update: that video appears on more than one page… it’s starting to seriously bug me.

The new site focus’s on white space with some Green blocks. It’s got a fixed rather than the old adjustable width, and content is removed from the very edges of the browers. It’s easier on the eyes, but I’m not too sure what it will look like on smaller screens.

It’s still quick and easy to get to content, in fact I think this has improved. However the content on pages such as “Take Action” is the same old, “join, vote, write a letter” speel.

The faq page leaves a lot to be desired.

The new website seems to lack an RSS feed, and press releases are two clicks away from the front page (too far).

The verdict, it’s certainly a big improvement in terms of website designed to draw in first timers. With news pushed so far away from the front page, and lacking RSS feeds, it will stop being the place people go to find out what the Greens are doing today.

relevant disclosure: Kieran is a card carrying member of the Australian Greens and former Greens basement… I mean national office, volunteer.

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