The website for Gannett’s well-known USA Today newspaper shifted to a “network journalism” model in early March, and so far the returns have been very favorable.

Over a month later, it’s still strange to see the changes at USA Today when visiting their site. Reader comments cycle through at the top of the page, while stories have links to Comments and Recommend along with their headlines.

The whole look and feel of the site changed dramatically, and a number of USA Today visitors found the update jarring enough to respond negatively to USA Today editor Ken Paulson’s discussion of the new networking features. Don’t say social networking or citizen journalism, though; in USA Today’s world, it’s the age of network journalism.

Many people have responded well to the relaunch. USA Today said they have increased visitor rates by 21 percent, and many have registered for the site’s advanced features. To date, over 40,000 user comments have been tapped out on their stories.

I asked executive producer Joel Sucherman of USAToday.com about the commenting taking place. As one might expect, he cited some hot-button issues as ones gathering lots of interest, like the fall of radio legend Don Imus over his commentary on Rutgers women’s basketball. Iraq and Hilary Clinton’s Presidential aspirations, both major national news topics, likewise attract plenty of interest.

It’s been the smaller stories that have pulled in the most compelling comments. Sucherman said reports on weight loss, adoption, and health, stories that by themselves aren’t on the same scale as the headliners, generate the most interesting feedback.

He cited the scandal at Walter Reed Hospital as one that drew a number of personal stories, including one from a doctor who formerly practiced at the facility. USA Today reporters have followed up with some of those commenters to further develop their observations into articles.