Let's face it, where do you go when you need to find out something fast? The internet is our quick-fix for all things like movie times, hot spots around town and news updates. Creative Loafing Atlanta fulfills your needs without annoying ads and boring layouts. 

Starting from the top, Creative Loafing has a fresh look. There web site is based on three main colors orange, black and white, which also happen to be their company colors. This color palette is consistent throughout the page tying all articles, blogs and extras together. 

Although the background of the site has been cleverly wall-papered with their bioharzard logo, a great deal of white space is still maintained. This design makes it easy to read while still keeping the company's personal style.  

The web site is image heavy as well. Photos are frequently used, but illustrations are also common. The front page boasts a slideshow of interesting images to intice readers into the site.  

As for organization "the Loaf" does pretty well. The site is packed with articles, blogs, etc. so it can be somewhat overwhelming. The site has a navigation bar to the left that organizes articles and blogs into categories such as: food and wine, news and views and music, to name a few. These links take you to related articles and extras under the specific category.

Ads are not distracting either. Ads are either placed at the very top, bottom or right corners of the pages and are consistant throughout the pages. The article photos and images do not resemble ads so there is no confusion.   

The articles themselves are often extremely long and have thicker paragraphs. Unfortunately this is probably hurting the site since most people are used to scanning. However, most articles have some related art or image and often have related links at the end.

The writing varies from writer to writer but is generally witty and interesting. They are definitely writing to a younger audience. The appeal to the younger audience is also apparent in headlines and subheads.

Headlines and subheads are used on almost all articles on the web site. The subheads are used like tnjn.com uses summaries. They give readers a glimpse into what the article is all about. 

Also inline links are not used within article. It would be helpful, especially in longer articles, to use inline links because it could break up the monotony of the text.

Although inline links are not used in articles they are used frequently in the Loaf's four blogs: Fresh Loaf, all bout news, Omnivore Atlanta, food and wine, Cribnotes, music and Popsmart, pop culture. Each blog is maintained by a different writer so they differ in style but most posts are short and sweet allowing reader commentary.

The loaf also boasts a set of podcasts that you can download. The podcasts, CL Speaks , Ed Loves Bacon and Audiofloss, generally focus on music and pop culture.  

The blogs are a great way to get readers involved, which seems to be a forte of the Loaf. On top of all of the articles and blogs the web site offers tons of extras when you sign up for a free account. 

A free account lets you browse personals , sign up for a special beer club with discounts and info on the best places for a brew, a newsletter and classifieds. The website also boasts tons of links on nightlife, contests and special events in their "dig this!" section.

Another way to get readers involved is daily the loaf puts of a "creative loving" profile featuring a reader from the personals.  

Creative Loafing Atlanta also plans events around town like an annual dodgeball and kickball tournaments and a yearly field day in Piedmont Park. All of these events are posted on the web site as well.  

The writing might be lengthy and the web site might be a little packed but it offers way more for their readers than any other news web site I have seen. The creative design will attract readers and the extras will keep them coming back for more. They have mastered how to make readers feel like they are a part of the Creative Loafing experience.