A Comparison of Digg and Netscape; are They Really that Different?

Many have argued that Digg and Netscape are very different. Certainly, there are some obvious differences like the user demographics. There is also a big difference in the look and feel of the user interfaces.

The range of topics on Netscape is broader, and less focused, but Digg has been moved closer to that in recent months as almost a defense of the turf.

BUT... are they really that different? Content? Story promotion methods? Content sources? Operations? Rules?

The audience for the two is different, but with a lot of overlap however whatever differences there are in the demographics have nothing to do with how similar the sites are. Many at Netscape are there because they have been there a long time, and the same can be said of Digg users. There has been some cross-over, but most that switched did not abandon the prior site and now use both.

Basing an argument that they are different because of dissimilar demographics is like describing the difference between Coke and Pepsi based on who drinks them.

Content:

Netscape does not promote a lot of quality tech articles. Most of what is promoted falls in the general category of entertainment (which may or may not also have an information component). In the past Digg was very technically oriented, but now looks more like a YouTube annex. Very little difference except Digg has more relaxed standards for offensive language, and acceptable semi-adult content and the entertainment aims at a younger audience.

Story Promotion:

Stories posted on Netscape are promoted to the front page through the voting by members; but paid editors and paid posters actually control what makes it without regard to what the users do. On Digg the claim of promotion by democratic means is a myth. Yes stories can get dugg to the front page; but a handful of elites and management make arbitrary decisions about what makes it up and what suddenly disappears; just like on Netscape. As to whether or not any of the elites on Digg are being paid... ???

Content Sources:

The content on Netscape can originate anywhere, and the common way for it to get picked up by the editors and big-time posters is from RSS feeds. You will see a lot of sourcing from big establishment web sites and major content providers. You also see PR handouts that are little more than SPAM; occasional pieces written by well-known bloggers and personalities. Only a small amount of the content comes from small sites and unknown free-lance bloggers. On Digg you get virtually the same mix, except for a higher ratio of crappy videos and more political trash talk; again reflecting a somewhat younger audience.

Operations: ... Let's see?

Both require registration to participate.
Required info for submitted stories ... same.
Stories may get promoted from user voting ... identical.
A core group can force anything to the front page, or kill a story. Only difference is Netscape is open about it.
Traffic from the Netscape front page links is lower than for the Digg effect; however Netscape has not been in this business very long. Still, the traffic impact is a minor difference.
The primary revenue stream for both is paid advertising, and both appear to make money on the "democratic" presentation of information.

Rules:

In both cases there are rules for submission, promotion, and terms of service that come from the same lawyers handbook, with very minor differences in interpretation. However the rules are for show on both sites. There is only one hard and fast rule on both sites and it is identical: "Management has the final word on what appears or does not appear on the site, and arbitrary decisions about content are the norm; not the exception".

So are they different? ... There are some minor technical differences, but the things that make teh sites work are not different. The differences between Digg and Netscape are cosmetic. They are twins; though Digg supporters probably prefer to point out that Netscape is a clone. Fair enough! A good cloning job, because they are the same. However part of what makes them the same are changes by Digg management to try and expand market share by being more like Netscape.

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