Globeandmail.com has soft-launched its new look. The official launch date for the redesigned newspaper is Monday, April 23.

First, here's a look at globeandmail.com's old design (reconstructed from archive.org's May 30, 2006 capture):

And now, here's the new website design:

One of the features listed in the top menu bar is My Globe. I clicked on it to see what goodies awaited me. Here's what I got:

You have FREE Globe Insider access to columns and editorials. To access all the features of Globe Insider including the personalized homepage, Globe Edge customized e-mails and interactive puzzles you will need to upgrade your Globe Insider newspaper subscription.

For obvious reasons, I didn't click on My Portfolio or My Weather. I didn't want to be spanked for not being an Globe Insider.

You might remember from a previous post that I wondered what would become of Globeinvestor.com and Globefund.com. They still exist and are part of the top navigation on ReportonBusiness.com.

I also asked how the Business News Network site might be integrated. Umm, it's not, really. On regular globeandmail.com pages, there is a small link to BNN.ca in the 'other section' of the left-hand-side navigation way down below.

On ReportonBusiness.com itself, I don't see any link (mind you, I'm near the end of my waking hours right now).

That being said, ReportonBusiness.com seems to be more differentiated from the rest of globeandmail.com, in terms of look and feel, than globesports.com, the earlier attempt to create a sports brand.

For tonight's purposes, that will be all.