Slashdot Announces Winner of Reader-Driven Redesign Contest

Slashdot.org (part of the OSTG technology network, a wholly-owned subsidiary of VA Software Corp., NASDAQ:LNUX), the top-ranked technology and cultural news site*, has announced that Alex Bendiken, a Web designer in Marbella Spain, was selected as the winner of its Web site redesign contest. Nearly 200 entries were submitted over a three-week period. The winning entry was selected on May 17, 2006 and with minor modifications, will go live the first week of June. As the winning designer, Bendiken will receive a new laptop computer—and, more importantly—complete bragging rights to owning Slashdot’s new look and feel. The next-generation construction of the Web site is significant because it was driven solely by member participation. As a result, the Slashdot redesign will allow site visitors scan and read content easier and faster. The facelift complements other changes implemented earlier this year, including posting sectional content on the homepage with headline-only links, and superior reader journals chosen by the Slashdot editors and posted to the front page. “Alex Bendiken’s entry was selected because his design improved upon many shortcomings of Slashdot’s original design. His design moves commonly-used functions into positions of prominence, and improves the readability of articles. His entry required only minor changes to our core HTML, and breathes fresh life into a site that has remained aesthetically unaltered over its 8+ year lifespan,” said Slashdot founder and site director Rob Malda (aka Cmdr Taco). The second place design was entered by Peter Lada. Slashdot’s unique format of user-generated news and commentary has been breaking down boundaries since 1997. Its peer-reviewed, peer-tested content and cadre of editors has helped the site maintain its top-ranking status among other technology news sites. For information, go to www.slashdot.org.   About OSTG, Inc. OSTG, Inc. (Open Source Technology Group) is the cornerstone of the Open Source movement and the leading online network for IT managers and development professionals. OSTG’s technology-focused sites include Slashdot.org, SourceForge.net, ITManagersJournal.com, NewsForge.com, Linux.com and freshmeat.net. OSTG also owns ThinkGeek, Inc., the leading retailer for innovative technology products. The OSTG network serves more than 270 million page views and over 30 million unique visitors a month**. For more information or to view the media kit online, visit www.ostg.com. VA Software Corporation (Nasdaq: LNUX), the leader in Open Source innovation with online media, software and e-commerce properties, is the parent company of OSTG, Inc. For company information, visit www.vasoftware.com. Slashdot, freshmeat, ThinkGeek and SouceForge.net are trademarks or registered trademarks of OSTG, Inc., in the United States and/or other countries. VA Software and OSTG are trademarks or registered trademarks of VA Software Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.  All other product or brand names herein are the properties of their respective owners. *Source: Neilson//NetRatings @Plan; rankings compared to TechRepublic, IDG, CNET, and ZD, March 3, 2006 **Google Analytics, 30-day period ending March 31, 2006