I promised to keep an eye on the progress of the BBC and the new unfolding Gardeners World Blog. On the face of it the site looks very clean, soft to the eye and a simple layout (too many good blogs are ruined by loads of flashing banners).
But, what I noticed the most is that the BBC, yes the BBC are advertising on their site! Does this mean that the Mother of broadcasting in the UK has crossed the line into commercialism?
Is it not in the Beeb's constitution that they are not allowed to advertise? I understand that the site needs to pay it's own way but hey rules are rules - or have I missed something?
The statement at the bottom of the blog says "© BBC Magazines Ltd. BBC Worldwide Ltd.
The BBC Gardeners' World Magazine word mark and logo are trademarks of BBC Worldwide Ltd.
BBC Magazines is owned by the BBC and our profits are returned to the BBC for the benefit of the licence-fee payer."
OK, I am a hypocrite! I use advertising and I write a lot during the week. Some topical, hopefully some beneficial and ultimately a touch entertaining and yes, I hope to make enough money to support the site over time to have a few luxuries in life like food.
Mind you, the BBC blog is going to be judged by the readership. I suspect that they will get thousands and thousand od readers every day but they need to brush up a bit on some of the things on the site.
For example, on their turf laying page - the advice is pretty basic and has some nice pictures but the bit at the end called Adam's tip.
"Spread a general-purpose fertiliser over the ground one week before laying the turf."
That advice is about as useful as a chocolate fire-guard! Spread! it sounds like you are buttering a piece of bread. How much fertiliser? one ounce or 35 grams? a kilo a metre?
If you are going to give advice then lets please make it good advice!
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