What can you use the application for?
Slashdot is an online community news site which is powered completely by user’s submissions. This means that users are free to write their own posts and submit them to the site. It’s free to sign up and the ability of users to create their own stories means that the information often has a unique perspective. All of the content is tagged which makes searching for it easy and it’s all displayed in a similar way to a normal blog.
What is the history and popularity of the application?
Slashdot was founded in September 1997 by Rob Malda. It is now owned by OSTG, which is owned by VA Software. Now Slashdot is run by Jeff Bates and Rob Malda, the pair also manages a number of other OSTG sites.
What are the differences to other applications?
Slashdot is an online news site however there are two big differences that make it stand out from other news sites. Firstly the site is completely powered by user’s submissions which mean that all of the information is unique and normally valuable. The site is also aimed specifically at technology lovers which makes it a great resource for any nerds out there.
How does the application look and feel to use?
The application looks very outdated and is no where near as pretty as many of the newer sites. Saying this however the site does the job well and as it’s aimed at nerds these sorts of people might like this sort of interface. After some time you will get used to the site and find it really easy to use.
How does the registration process work?
Creating an account is very easy and it’s just a matter of clicking the “Create Account” link from the menu bar at the top of the screen. The signup form is pretty routine and requires only fairly basic information. Rather unusually you will have to enter your email address twice side by side, this can be a little confusing because the second box has no title above it, and just below you are told what to do. You then need to complete the human test to make sure you’re not a computer and you can go ahead and register. If you make a mistake then the whole form is wiped which is more than a little bit frustrating, it’s infuriating. You will be sent an email which includes your password.
What does it cost to use the application?
Slashdot is completely free to use and earns money through advertising. There are quite a few adverts on the site however these don’t pose any problems.
Who would you recommend the application to?
Slashdot is a great application for anyone that loves technology and computers and wants to stay up to date with the latest news. Because all the stories are written by users they often have a unique perspective.
Rated
