Slashdot has launched a new site called Idle, a site with the business model much look like Digg but only links with non-technology related pictures, video or news bits could appeared on the site. Still in testing status, this site would definitely not repeated the cyber-revolt by readers of the Digg as the submission of all the news will be monitored by the editors working at Slashdot. In other word, you won’t see the true power of web 2.0 community where the users can decide which stories go to the main Slashdot Idle page. However, started a site strategically with a direction where users submitted the stories while another group of editors working at Slashdot decide on the approval or rejection processes, there’s probably the only way to strike a proper balance between delivering value to the community and encouraging community participation.

Though there’s not much liberty in the submission processes, but there is a valid reason why Slashdot Idle doesn’t allow much freedom room left for the users. As reported by New York Times, the founder of Slashdot explained, “A lot of these community news sites are all about Ron Paul,” he said. “Ron Paul may be a valid candidate. But what that is really demonstrating is that you are seeing 1 or 2 percent of a community shaping where the whole community is going. A small dedicated group of people can manipulate these sites very easily.”

via [New York Times]