The general feedback we get from readers about IT Reviews is along the lines of "Easy to navigate, fast-loading, good content, needs more reviews, dull design". All are valid comments, but some explanation of our Grand Plan* might be useful.

From the beginning, we designed IT Reviews to be as true as possible to the spirit of the Web pioneers; to provide information in a form that is accessible to all. For a long time, we even ran the site without the use of HTML tables, but eventually that became impractical. Still, users can view the site, and particularly the .com version (which is not on a virtual server), using a simple text browser. We recently received an e-mail from a deafblind user, who called the site 'a joy to use'. That kind of feedback is very satisfying, but there's a trade-off - the design of the site is dull, we agree.

But other than changing the colours of the buttons (which we've now done - 15/04/00), there's little we can do to make it look prettier. The moment we introduce more graphics, or run the site from a database, or fill it with frames and animations, the load times for pages will increase, the site will become harder to navigate for those of you without the latest browsers, and we'll have missed the point. We're here to provide information, not eye candy.

As for the number of reviews, that's something that we're planning to increase, but it takes money. Which brings me to adverts. You may have noticed that these have started to creep onto the site. You may hate them, or you may ignore them, but they're here for a reason. The information on IT Reviews is 'free' - you don't pay for it - but over the two years of its life, we've sunk enough money into this publication to buy a detached house in leafy Surrey (it's OK; we like bedsits). Our coffers are not unlimited, but by accepting IT-related adverts that are relevant to our readers, we can cover our costs and plough money back into the site; increasing the number of reviews each month, for example.

This is not a plea to click on our adverts or lose the site. That's not going to happen. But please don't be upset that we're carrying adverts. It's a simple equation: the more advert views we can generate, the better the quality and quantity of the reviews will be. And who knows, you might even find some of the adverts useful...