As we noted a few weeks ago, CNN launched a new beta site to test its features for its forthcoming relaunch scheduled for next week on July 1st.  The beta site is now off-line.  Senior Vice President and Senior Executive Producer Mitch Gelman explains on the beta site's blog that:

We've absorbed and dissected that feedback so we can evolve and craft a CNN.com that works for you.

So, to respond your suggestions, we took the Beta offline on Tuesday, June 26. We’re making some changes based on the thoughts you sent us…

Personally I find this strategy rather interesting.  Why not make one tweak at a time and make sure that the adjustments are what people wanted before officially lauching?

We'll just have to see how people react to the tweaks CNN is making based upon its feedback from its beta period.