In China, they used to force intellectuals to spend a year toiling in the rice paddies and doing the People's Work. There is something to be said for that. Particularly if the People's Work turns out to be surprisingly rich and fulfilling. Perhaps it is time to look more closely at what gives a Web site value. It goes without saying that the designers, writers, and producers should be pleased as well.
Creative people are always pleased when they pull off a fiendishly clever show-stopper.
We are thinking of sites like the magazine, Mappa Mundi . Clearly much care goes into its editing and design, and there is much depth in its writing. It's a well-made site that brings real content and real value to the Web. Unfortunately, quietly intelligent sites like Mappa Mundi rarely garner the accolades they deserve, at least at this stage of the Web's history. Fortunately, both sites mentioned continue to gather large numbers of readers, because readers pay no attention to awards anyway - they go where the quality is.