Second, I'm not going to install any crappy programs to view your website. I just don't trust it. Too many people include spyware in their programs that I don't download any of it. If you don't know how to make a website work with existing technologies, then you suck.

Even *IF* I wanted to view this ESPN MOtion crap, I can't because I don't have broadband access. But guess what? Seventy-three percent (73%) of all homes with the Internet still use Dial-Up. By 2008, it is estimated that only 70% of homes will have broadband access. Who are the marketing geniuses that decided it would be wise to alienate such a large portion of their audience? People need to realize how slow the average user is at adopting to new technologies.

They offer a "lite version" of the ESPN.com site, but the link is almost impossible to find.

Flash based web designs suck. I hate websites that use Flash, I just don't see why it is so good. For example, on the ESPN site, look at the ESPNNEWS HEADLINES section (right hand column). Normally, I would either shift-click or right-click the stories I was interested in to open them in new windows. That way I could read one story while the rest load. Now, because of the Flash design I can't load them in seperate windows.

There are surely other problems with the site. I simply cannot believe that they didn't do any significant user testing before they launched this site. Just look at the user feedback section and you will see the number of people that hate the new version of ESPN.com. I cannot believe that whoever is leading their web design team has never heard of Jakob Nielson's usability and web design site. It stresses the importance of making your site accessible and useable for ALL of your users regardless of the browser or operating system that they use.

ESPN.com was one of the first sites I checked every day. For scores, standings and quick headlines I will use Yahoo! Sports. For more complete coverage, I will use Google Sports (allows you to search the entire web for up-to-date sports stories - you are missing out if you are not using Google's news site for your research purposes, it's a must visit!). I guess for columnists, I'll still support ESPN.com, but that is it.