No drop-shadows, no reflections, no cute button, no trendy colors, not even any gradients! The designers of the new CNN.com eschewed every trendy tool designers are using today. I have to say I was a little put off. How dare they not show-off their photoshop wizardry! I came around, however. What a novel approach, use type, good layouts, clean lines, and simple color scheme to give it a modernist look. I applaud the design team for going back to the basics, and creating something fresh and innovative.

ADDENDUM: They now have a huge banner ad at the top of the site that pushes the most important content below the fold on my Macbook (1440×900px). What a great way to trash a design.