WHAT!?! WHY???? NO!!!!

This is extremely disappointing, as I've really enjoyed discovering new music through this feature.

I would much rather see you keep Audiofile, and jettison Video Dog, which has become nothing more than a one-note showcase for those inane Rabbit Bites videos.

i hope that you truly intend to "beef up" your culture section...the balance between political reporting and non-political reporting has been slipping for some time. i'm as conscientious as the next reader, but this 08 coverage is already proving wearying.

Count me in as someone who will deeply miss Audiofile. I loved it since Wednesday Morning Download, and I've discovered SO much good (and unusual) music here. I agree with the other reader that Video Dog doesn't serve much of a purpose for me. And I like to be on top of political topics as much as everyone else, but I used to be excited to come to Salon each day because I saw interesting and entertaining things in all different areas. I am really disappointed in the direction Salon seems to be going.

I love the fact that I can peek in there, read a quick paragraph about some band I've never heard of, and then listen to a song. It's just enough to keep me coming back every day. I hope you reconsider this move...

I never look at it.

But Joan, can you explain what has happened to Video Dog? Did you guys sign contracts with Rabbit Bites, the cartoonists and Red State? I think I'd rather watch the piano playing cat! I like Red State OK, but it's not called Red State Dog.

Fix it or can it. Video Dog used to be a fun feature.

His provocations have been too transparent (e.g., Sgt. Pepper column) and his attempts at pop culture (American Idol updates) too sleazy.

Still there should be room for good, competent music coverage.

Last week I received notice to renew my subscription to Salon. I debated whether I would or not. Frankly, in the last 2 years there hasn't been much in your pages to keep me interested. With the exception of Audiofile. That's one of your better features. If I had known it was going away, I probably would not have resubscribed.

That's disappointing. Audiofile is a great column.

Ouch. Like gcassels, I rely on Audiofile to discover new music. There's no shortage of sources for music on the Web, but Audiofile is unique in its generous scope and solid taste -- a combination that's always hard to find. The podcast has become part of my daily commute, and I'll really miss its pleasures and surprises.

Please reconsider.

Actually, I visited Audiophile much less often after Thomas Bartlett left. I don't know. Maybe the frequency of coverage on things like American Idol and Avril Lavigne made me less eager to visit it as often as I used to. But to yank it out seems wrong, unless what you replace it with is still a great source for articles about good music I never heard of.

I do want to add my "me too" to the issue about Video Dog not being so pleasant anymore. The Rabbit Bites stuff are just not funny enough to visit on a regular basis. I actually LOVE Red State Update, but what happened to the regular VARIETY of videos that we used to see on a daily basis?

i like the feature, but probably won't miss it. to be honest i've hated most of the music i discovered through it, and already knew of the rest. hoping to see lots of full fledged music crit/commentary in the future, but only as it is called for instead of being de facto. maybe even some slams here and there... audiofile was way too positive about mediocre to bad music sometimes, you know.

be nice to continue seeing sample dl's or streams here and there!

I love audiofile! Audiofile introduced me to The Ark, Dungen, Be Your Own PET, etc. So what does "beefing up our culture department" mean? People ask me how I find the good music I do and I tell them Salon.com- that is great advertising! Keep audiofile?! What will the new "music" section be then?

I agree with some of my fellows that Video Dog needs retooling or it needs to go. As for Audiofile, I could personally take it or leave it.

Glad to hear about the expanded War Room, though.

Now, can we see more Joan?

All hail the Dear Leader.

Dropping Audiofile is not a good idea.

1. Unlike your other cultural features, Audiofile offered something a bit unique, particularly for those readers like myself who don't naturally cotton to searching out downloads on the web.

2. To do so just as internet radio goes down is not smart. Salon could use that as a opportunity to expand its introductions of new music to people. Instead you are tossing away and you don't even have any sort of replacement ready.

If your new "culture department" doesn't have equivalents to these two features, you'll be making a grave mistake. People come for the fluff and stay for the substance - I know that's how I ended up here.

And, to add to the cries about Video Dog, I have to say it's the one feature that's really annoying on your site. The preview videos are garish and annoying on your front page, and the substance is rarely - if ever - worth the clicks it takes to get there. Red State? Rabbit Bites? I'm so apathetic I forgot to sigh.

Why are you getting rid of the fun stuff? Salon seems to be taking itself a bit too seriously these days... Is there a crack in your monocle or something?

First you foist Paglia on us. I haven't read her since her first column, when I found she was still a narcissistic fraud, but I really, really dislike a single penny of my subscription going to pay her. And now you're getting rid of AudioFile!? It was a wonderful way to discover new music and the new video feature has been interesting, too. What next-- Ask the Pilot? When Pat Smith goes, I'm out the door, too.

And I still miss The Fix.