Which website is better: Squat or DimSum?

pamelachow · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 8

I am an avid reader of both Squat and DimSum.

However, I've noticed that, recently, Squat has started poking fun at DimSum.

Evil or Very Mad

http://batgwa.com/squat/article.php?articleId=278&issueId=12&pageId=3
http://batgwa.com/squat/article.php?articleId=351&issueId=15

Do you think that this is fair?

Frankly, which website do you think is better?

chunxueping · Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Posts: 519 Location: Surrey, UK

As British comedian Harry Hill say:

"There's only one way to find out..."

"FIGHT!"

assis104s · Joined: 31 Mar 2003 Posts: 144

Thats a mature attitude from Squat! Surely the point is that all three mags focus on different target audiences?

To slag of other mags, when we have precious little representation is pretty lame. Surely its about representing different aspects of the commmunity as getting our voices out there as much as possible...

siu mai · Joined: 13 Jun 2007 Posts: 363 Location: In the sky

race on race hate crime!

if dimsum is their so called "competition" and finds us so boring why are they fighting so hard to improve their website. zzzzz

tenpence · Joined: 24 Feb 2003 Posts: 173

if we're so boring, why are they so bothered about us! lol

quietman · Joined: 26 Nov 2007 Posts: 62 Location: Liverpool

It's a bit like comparing The Times or Guardian with The Sun or Daily Star. No need to ask which camp Squat belongs in.

siu mai · Joined: 13 Jun 2007 Posts: 363 Location: In the sky

LOL would that be The Sun? :p

pamelachow · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 8

While I do think that Squat's poking fun at DimSum is a bit cheeky, out of order, even. Chinese websites should all support one another, after all.

However, I think some people's defence of DimSum is rather odd.

Shocked

Comparing DimSum to The Guardian or The Times is laughable! Maybe some of us need a reality check. Rolling Eyes

You know that Squat is edited by someone who also works at the Press Association? (I Googled Embarassed

) I think - if you want so split hairs - the quality of writing and journalism is more professional at Squat than here in DimSum.

But, like I said before, it's a case of different folks, different strokes. So I don't think the websites can be compared fairly. They are both good for different reasons.

I just find it laughable when you all elevate DimSum to such high levels. It's an unhelpful and deluded defence. Laughing

chunxueping · Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Posts: 519 Location: Surrey, UK

Id never heard of Squat. Different format, sorta lightweight magazine type thing. Lots of adverts but not my sorta thing. Younger people might like lighter style but I could not find much of substance there.

Different people like different things, matter of taste i suppose. Im a bit surprised they started been nasty about Dimsum. I dont see any reason for this. Dimsum never said anything about them before.

assis104s · Joined: 31 Mar 2003 Posts: 144

pamelachow - I don't think people are talking about the way in which articles are written. Apparently Dimsum let readers upload articles etc so it's more of a community thing. I don't think you can find fault with that as I'm not sure everyone in the community is a press association member!

I think people have made the comparisons with the Times / Guardian because of the type of content and the issues covered. It's not just about films star and cute asian people, but about community / political / social issues as well as culture - you can see that from the home page alone. Squat just looks like a Chinese version of Heat magazine to me!

pamelachow · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 8

First, I'd like to make it clear that none of my comments are intended to be against DimSum.

I like DimSum and Squat, equally, for different reasons.

But, because everyone here seems to be one-sided, I feel the need to play devil's advocate.

I find some of your views on the media rather odd. I think dividing things into high-brow and low-brow is rather outdated. Media has developed into such a wide spectrum, it's a shame that some seem to see things in only black and white.

I, for one, am just as interested in the Edison Chen sex scandal as I am in the current friction between China and Tibet. It doesn't make me any less informed and educated.

It's snobbery, is wot it iz!

Squat covers many "community / political / social issues" (as assis104s describes it), for example:
http://batgwa.com/squat/article.php?articleId=231
http://batgwa.com/squat/article.php?articleId=232

Also covering business stories, for example:
http://batgwa.com/squat/article.php?articleId=136
http://batgwa.com/squat/article.php?articleId=352

And also "culture" (as assis104s describes it), for example:
http://batgwa.com/squat/article.php?articleId=251
http://batgwa.com/squat/article.php?articleId=330

Just because they talk to music stars and movie stars like Nicholas Tse, Justin Lo and Jaycee Chan...
http://batgwa.com/squat/article.php?articleId=161
http://batgwa.com/squat/article.php?articleId=235
http://batgwa.com/squat/article.php?articleId=276
...doesn't mean Squat is low-brow.

I, for one, enjoy a mix of everything. I enjoy the Independent as much as I enjoy thelondonpaper. I enjoy Time magazine as much as I enjoy Heat. I enjoy BBC4 as much as I enjoy Channel 4. If that makes me trashy in some of your eyes, so be it...

Some people say the Guardian has dumbed down by going into Berliner format and covering a wider mix of stories etc etc. I, however think it's just moving with the times...

Jeff Minter · Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 328

Is this really relevant?

In the grand scheme of things, we are both isolated forms of media expression with extremely limited - if any - influence.

Edwina Lee · Joined: 06 Oct 2006 Posts: 682 Location: High Wycombe, UK

Squat is a very innovative magazine site indeed. It addresses the contemporary cultural scene very well. However, it won't address the more fundamental issues which concern british chinese.

Trying to do both would dilute the engagement of chatters too much.

Each site specialise in different things. That is good.

Edwina xx

assis104s · Joined: 31 Mar 2003 Posts: 144

pamelachow - it just sounds like you're working for them really! Are you trying to convert all of us?!

pamelachow · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 8

i just trying to present a balanced argument Smile

And, you are what you read, so i was just defending myself from people who seemed to be attacking my intelligence level.

If anything, I think DimSum has more influence. It was first, before the other pretenders!

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