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By silicon.com, 28 September 2005 16:40

NEWS silicon.com has added a further twist to blogging with the launch of Newsdesk Blog, an innovative quarter-screen window that gives readers an instant insight into the movements and thoughts of the editorial team, as well as breaking news.

Newsdesk Blog can be started up from all the main content pages on the silicon.com site, from a text link underneath the search box on the right-hand side of pages, or by clicking here.

The idea is that its entries - each date and time stamped, and with those from the last 72 hours viewable - will complement the main site coverage.

Tony Hallett, silicon.com editor, said: "This isn't a desktop alert system, just pushing new articles or data when they are published. All entries are original, albeit brief - some inform readers of longer news or commentary pieces on silicon.com, others link to the best of other people's content in true blog fashion, while other times it's an outlet for gossip or sharing how the team here works."

Newsdesk Blog is updated throughout the working day and is a must for anyone who wants to know the news agenda for the day - or wants to hear the more opinionated views of staff writers, which may not have made it into stories.

The Newsdesk Blog window isn't a desktop application but a small, nonadjustable browser. As news breaks, the silicon.com team will often mention major stories here ahead of separate, more in-depth content on the pages of the main site, which this summer benefited from a major overhaul.

"The hope is that many readers will keep it open on their desktops, getting a feed of the highlights of the day even as they surf away from the www.silicon.com site in their main browser," added Hallett. "Even with the slickest editorial operation, it often takes 15 to 30 minutes to publish the big breaking news stories, at best - Newsdesk Blog can get a vital nugget of information out there just as we are nailing it down."