Crosscut readers: Tell us what you think

Posted Mon, Sep 10, 1:10 a.m. inappropriate

Looking Great: At Last! A Puget Sound website where one can personally bookmark for
all of the PERTINENT news links and local items that REALLY matter the most

May any changes to this website be steady, and keep up the good work!

-Bob Shannon
Seattle

Posted Mon, Sep 10, 11:24 a.m. inappropriate

rah rah: I've enjoyed reading stories by names I've been familiar with over the past 40 years or so - many graduates from The Weekly, and new names as well. In the spirit of thoroughly discussing issues of the day, I'd suggest a small increase in the allowable post size. Honest, I try to keep my posts concise, but with the current format I often need to break my comments into two entries. Just a suggestion.

Good selection of topics, though I don't know why there isn't more traffic here. I appreciate the civilized tone of the comments compared to elsewhere, but I wish more readers would add to the discussion. Best of luck increasing your visibility and input.

Glad to see my old friends-cum-debate partners back in circulation again. I miss Angelo Pellegrini, J Michael Kenyon and a few other names from the past. Otherwise, it's a bit like old home week every week - without so many trips to the recycle bin.

Thanks for the survey too. I was hoping you'd offer readers a chance to comment on your site ... à bientôt!

Posted Mon, Sep 10, 2:10 p.m. inappropriate

Collaborative promotion: There could be some targeted promotion of Crosscut with local professionals, academics, students, and public officials. Get some help from your friends and admirers in all those places. They can pass the word to friends/colleagues/customers/constituents that Crosscut is a unique and uniquely useful addition to the media mix, especially for those (youth?) who are increasingly allergic to print.

Posted Mon, Sep 10, 5:38 p.m. inappropriate

But how do you line a birdcage with it???: Crosscut is one of the first things I peruse every morning, and, as a regular poster, I check it many times throughout the day. From where I sit, it's still a bit wobbly (infants don't generally walk with confidence at five-months), but it's gaining ground.

Interesting that David Brewster's article should appear at the same time as The Seattle Times most recent whine-fest about the sorry state of media ownership, corporate consolidation, etc. Again, from where I sit, the Blethen's are implicitely crying out for governmental relief from the changing of the times (no pun intended).

Crosscut, Sound Politics, Drudge Report, and Internet journalism generally are the future. As much as I enjoy David Postman and Luann and For Better or Worse (even that strip is in the process of disappearing) on the comics' page, old-fashioned print media is a thing of the past.

Sure, there'll always be newspapers, but the print media can't look to survive in its present form by legal restrictions on cross-ownership or whatnot; it has to compete in the marketplace just like everyone else. The Seattle Times isn't entitled to exist just because it's The Seattle Times.

As Crosscut and its brethren emerge, some will succeed and some fail. Welcome to free enterprise, about which the Blethen's should take note.

I'm tempted to ad an Amen! to LoveYourViaduct's suggestion about allowing longer posts, but with a caveat. Disciplining yourself to live within 4,000 characters (though not the same 4,000 characters recognized by MS Word) forces self-editing, a skill I yearn to master. Having been known to post multi-parted comments myself, I would like to see greater allowable space. But I appreciate the constraints against my propensity for long-windedness. Is there a compromise?

The Piper

Posted Tue, Sep 11, 8:19 a.m. inappropriate

Your turn...: The request for reader comments and suggestions on how Crosscut is doing has been up for over 24-hours yet only four readers posted, one of whom was from yours truly. That's disappointing; surely there are others out there with something to contribute.

As I scratched my head over the paucity of reader comments, it struck me that while asking those of us among the great unwashed how Crosscut is doing is one thing, it would very interesting and illuminating to hear from Crosscut as to how it sees itself doing.

Print publications and electronic media announce numbers. Readership figures, Arbitron or Nielsen ratings, financial health (for publicly traded corporpate owners), etc., are routinely available for all, so while we know that The Seattle Times popularity is sinking like a manhole cover down a well, how do we know whether Crosscut is up, down, or sideways?

Perhaps my question is impertinent, but I, for one, would like to hear from David, Chuck, Mossback, et al, how they think Crosscut is doing. How's its health? What does the future hold? Checkbook still balance in the black? What's a rough guestimate of how many or how often those of us in our PJ's stop by?

Any surprises in store like, perhaps, a contest where readers can submit essays on why they'd like to shave Mossback's beard with the winner getting dinner with him followed by the opportunity to apply some Gillette Foamy and an old fashioned straight razor? Or auction off one of Greg Palmer's last remaining corduroy sportcoats? These may not sound like hot-to-go promos, but given what we pay to subscribe to Crosscut, I know we can't expect all that much.

So...thoughts???

The Piper

Posted Tue, Sep 11, 9:20 a.m. inappropriate

Mon Deau, Piper!: The mere mention of taking a razor to Mossback's furry locks was enough to lure me out of my lurking state to protest loudly and with great alarm--NO!! No razor/scissors/trimmer/buzzsaw must EVER be taken to that pristine oldgrowth. Dinner would be heaven--but there's gotta be another way.

I totally agree that it would be great to see an entire comment section/blog by the Crosscut movers, shakers and scribes for their perspectives, ideas and evaluations.

I am eternally grateful, especially to David, Knute and Chuck, for remembering who we are here in Seattle. For not moving on, even when things get so bizaar and it seems like there's not much left to hang on to. You helped shape our Emerald City in decades past, and you're doing it again. Thank you. You are touchstones, all.

Posted Tue, Sep 11, 9:43 a.m. inappropriate

RE: Mon Deau, Piper!: Hey! It was just a thought...And there's no truth to the rumor that underneath that organic Brillo pad we'd find Jimmy Hoffa...

The Piper

Posted Tue, Sep 11, 9:55 a.m. inappropriate

The crush of public opinion: Although it's still pretty early, I would suggest its time to start stopping what people aren't clicking on. And doing more of what people are posting on; the threads need to be longer, the posts shorter. Growth, density, downtown, crime, transportation, cops, robbers, grit, glitz and art. I would also de-hash it. Focus a little more. CC is Seattle. Ain't gonna be Portland or Tacoma. It's good to have a regional aggregate, but four decks on Portland mayor spec? ZZZzzzzz.

You really should have a tersely cogent pro-density columnist without a spec of moss. I volunteer. Oh, but I too have a beard.

Posted Tue, Sep 11, 10:35 a.m. inappropriate

RE: tersely cogent pro-density columnist: Is that a contradiction in terms?

Ah...we do love our moss here in Seattle. It is as vital as the salty air.

Methinks such a bearded, pro-density columnist would do very well over in, say Bellevue; they like that sort of thing over there. Or better yet, anywhere south of here, along the I-5 corridor--that's pretty much shot anyway--density could only improve that stretch.

But please--we're crying "uncle"--our beautiful home is being razed at a rate comparable to the South American rainforests. No more!

NIMBY

Posted Tue, Sep 11, 11:21 a.m. inappropriate

Mary, Mary...: Bellevue? Silly, Bellevue hates density. Bellevue likes sprawl and shrubbery and parking garages and four lane streets without sidewalks. Or so I gather. I try to steer clear. But look at what generates discussion on CrossCut. Honest, how many blank threads can CC tolerate?

Contrariness is good, Mary, but you already know that. Don'tcha?

Posted Tue, Sep 11, 12:10 p.m. inappropriate

RE: The crush of public opinion: Well, if "CC is Seattle[;] Ain't gonna be Portland or Tacoma" I guess I can quit reading. Persoanlly, I've had a bellyfull of Imperial Seattle media.

Posted Tue, Sep 11, 1:39 p.m. inappropriate

Sorry to (not) see: Please put back the links ot the regions newpaper web sites.

You say your are regional but you fail to allow reviews of the arts scenes in other areas including Spokane, Walla Walla, the Tri Cities, Eugene, Vancouver (your pick), Victoria, etc.

These places have theaters, local concerts, and art exhibits.

Is Crosscut and Puget Sound so provincial they can't see beyond the local shores?

It appears so. Either be a truly regional source or just be a non-print Seattle news site.

Posted Tue, Sep 11, 3:17 p.m. inappropriate

Winning Me Over: I'm still not taken with the visual format of CC, but the content is steadily improving or at least winning me over. One aspect that is gratifying is that the comments being made are generally on point, literate and civil. That cannot be said about the comments on most other web sites.

I always enjoyed Kimberly Marlowe's writing when she was in Seattle and appreciate being able to read her reporting and comments on Portland.

Posted Tue, Sep 11, 5:58 p.m. inappropriate

DOING WELL: You compare very well to other weblogs; good, interesting writers and worthwhile commentary from the audience.

Posted Tue, Sep 11, 10:08 p.m. inappropriate

RE: The crush of public opinion: Hey, Patrick, send us some words about density!

Posted Tue, Sep 11, 10:10 p.m. inappropriate

RE: Sorry to (not) see: Those links are still on the site, here:

http://www.crosscut.com/newsstand/

Posted Tue, Sep 11, 10:13 p.m. inappropriate

Getting back to the survey ...: All of these comments are really appreciated, but lest it get lost in this discussion, the purpose of David's post was to encourage you all to take the survey, which is here.

Posted Wed, Sep 12, 10:19 a.m. inappropriate

But they are not: on the home page! THAT was a much better place!

Posted Wed, Sep 12, 3:05 p.m. inappropriate

RE: Sorry to (not) see: Thank you Chuck!

I too had thought this feature had disappeared.

Mike

Posted Thu, Sep 13, 10:35 a.m. inappropriate

PIPER, HERE'S THE DEAL: P. Scott, your lingering fascination with my King Korduroy Sport Koats would be inspiring if it weren't also a little unsettling. And there is indeed only one left, because I gave all the others to an Indian music and dance troupe a few years ago, and they are now the height of fashion (I presume) in Ranchi. I think you should have that last coat--bronzing it will probably cost you a bundle, but that's your choice. But you are absolutely right that it shouldn't go off out of the Palmer Kollection (all right, enough with the Ks) without money changing hands. So here's the deal; the moment the University of Washington School of Music informs me that they have received your thousand dollar, tax free donation to the HARVARD PALMER ENDOWED STUDENT SUPPORT FUND (a scholarship for bass singers I set up last year in my late father's name, he being a hell of a bass singer) I will send you that coat. For fifteen hundred, I'll have it cleaned first. The ball is in your court.

Posted Thu, Sep 13, 12:03 p.m. inappropriate

Palmer, would that I could...: I confess...it's a fetish...corduroy sport coats, that is. I own one myself: forrest green from Orvis with suede elbow patches. Like the line from our National Anthem, I hail it proudly at twilight's last gleaming.

Do all the K's konnote kraving for krispy kreme's? Or is it simply a nod to your former employer, King 5? As an aside, I also wonder, given the French roots of the word corduroy, "corde du roi," or "cloth of the king," whether wearing them as often as you did in those days wasn't carrying the company man thing a bit too far?

I remember you mentioning a few months ago your giving most of your wardrobe to a troupe of travelling musicians from India. In fact, watching Gandhi for the umpteenth time recently, I thought I caught a glimpse of one on the back of an extra. Do you get a royalty for that?

Why am I so fixated with them? Aside from my own weakness for them, I suppose it's because I admire your courage. Watching movie and other arts-related reviews and commentary way back in the old days before remote controls on TV's, I would marvel at how while anyone can go on TV fashionably dressed, it takes a real man to defy the world of good taste by dressing that way. Children were taught the necessity of staying in school and studying hard lest they, too, end up dressed like that.

Very sincerely, it would be my honor to fork over $1,000 to the scholarship you established for your father at the UW. From what I know, not only was a good bass (tenors, though, get all the good roles...and the girls), but he was a fine lawyer and even finer man. Sadly, since I spend my days commenting at Crosscut and other places instead of concentrating on my executive search practice, corporate funds do not permit such largesse. And my collection of Bubble Up bottle caps isn't sufficient to redeem for such a sum.

May I suggest as an alternative auctioning the thing off with proceeds to the scholarship fund? With, say, the gang at Crosscut matching the winning bid? Of course, all in the name of contributing to arts education and not as some silly publicity stunt to increase Crosscut readership...Just a thought.

Next time Mossback wants to write about historic preservation in Seattle, instead of flogging that nasty old Ballard Denny's building, your last remaining bit of sartorial splendor - size what? 48 short? - should be made the subject of a plea to have it declared a national wardrobe historic landmark; it is a one-of-a-kind!

BTW...you need to write and contribute to Crosscut more often...That's today's suggestion to Dave and Chuck on how to improve it.

The Piper

Posted Thu, Sep 13, 1:01 p.m. inappropriate

THE PROBLEM WITH AN AUCTION: of my last corduroy beauty is that there'd be one bidder--that would be you--and you'd get the thing for five bucks, which is of course 2.50 more than it's worth, but hardly in the spirit of the fund-raising auction.
Thanks for the nice words about my pop, who would have been 93 this week, and never wore a corduroy jacket in his life. I inherited a lot of Seattle First National Bank black suits, though.
And I'm doing stuff for Crosscut again, a topical and with luck semi-humorous poem that should show up tomorrow and is only about three stanzas longer than it deserves to be.