More Web-Time, Less Newspaper Reading
November 6th, 2005 Posted in Blog Services, Web-based Services
I'm not only a newspaper journalist but, not surprisingly, an
avid newspaper reader. That said, there is a pile of unread
weekend newspapers sitting in my living room. In those all too
brief moments of total down time, I find myself gravitating
to the Web rather than picking up a newspaper. I'm still reading
but it's blogs and various Web sites (including those of newspapers).
But I'm also blogging, checking e-mail, listening to music and finding the
answers to all those mysteries that pop into my head during the week
(i.e. is Walter Matthau still alive, how many goals did Cam Neely score with the Boston Bruins; can I get a cheap pair of Crocs
on eBay). Have, heaven forbid, newspapers lost their appeal? Probably
not but I think it suggests they must change to adapt to the Web's
growing presence. Whether it's blogs and podcasts; stories and features
that leverage print and the Web, or print-only stories that
cover what something means rather than what happened, newspapers
must change their stripes….and soon. Of course, the Web has been an
ongoing conundrum for newspapers because they have yet to find a
financial model that can let a Web site successfully co-exist with the
print product. Is the right model online subscriptions that
such as the Wall St. Journal provides?
Can advertising/AdSense provide newspapers with an online ROI? Do
newspapers need to get into the business of providing customized and
targeted news services to individuals willing to pay a subscription fee
for timely and relevant information? Lots of questions and lots of
answered questions.
avid newspaper reader. That said, there is a pile of unread
weekend newspapers sitting in my living room. In those all too
brief moments of total down time, I find myself gravitating
to the Web rather than picking up a newspaper. I'm still reading
but it's blogs and various Web sites (including those of newspapers).
But I'm also blogging, checking e-mail, listening to music and finding the
answers to all those mysteries that pop into my head during the week
(i.e. is Walter Matthau still alive, how many goals did Cam Neely score with the Boston Bruins; can I get a cheap pair of Crocs
on eBay). Have, heaven forbid, newspapers lost their appeal? Probably
not but I think it suggests they must change to adapt to the Web's
growing presence. Whether it's blogs and podcasts; stories and features
that leverage print and the Web, or print-only stories that
cover what something means rather than what happened, newspapers
must change their stripes….and soon. Of course, the Web has been an
ongoing conundrum for newspapers because they have yet to find a
financial model that can let a Web site successfully co-exist with the
print product. Is the right model online subscriptions that
such as the Wall St. Journal provides?
Can advertising/AdSense provide newspapers with an online ROI? Do
newspapers need to get into the business of providing customized and
targeted news services to individuals willing to pay a subscription fee
for timely and relevant information? Lots of questions and lots of
answered questions.
November 6th, 2005 at 6:12 pm
While I realize that Le Devoir doesn't make much of a profit, I like what they've done with their online presence. It's the only online newspaper I'm paying for, and Paul Wells said the same thing earlier this week on his blog.
Le Devoir has good free content, great writing, RSS that's updated, PDF, access to recent editions, and even twenty-five articles per month from very old archives.
I'm sorry but I tried the online Post and Gazette, and they don't offer nearly the amount of features for four dollars less per month. There's a trick to making some content free, which CanWest didn't — perhaps, still - get as they put up a wall to the “letters to the editor. Charge for two-thirds of the journalists, but don't charge for the regular people who write a brief opinion for free.
The Globe & Mail, La Presse, etc., use a terrible software called NewsStand. Le Devoir trusts their clients with their PDFs without a lock on it. Other companies wouldn't be able to that, and if people abused LeDevoir, then I'd still pay to have access to everything else they offer. However, it's sure nice to scroll through a PDF of the tv guide, and to have newspapers on my desktop should the Internet connection go down.
The only times I cancel Le Devoir are when I've been subscribed to too many things, but I now only pay for the top quality out there. WSJ.com is great quality as well, I must admit their website, email newsletters, arts and tech coverage, are top notch; probably still the number-one-non-xxx subscription online. (I may one day get WSJ.com back, especially if their editorial page ends up closer to the centre.)
I'll one day donate to Le Devoir as sixteen dollars a month, and no tips needed, help me as I strive to get close to bilingual, plus I learn what people around me think.
An English national newspaper approaching the quality and service of Le Devoir would be welcome, and dare I say it, save the preseent country. A little less for the CBC could be put into helping the Globe and Post, or perhaps begin a new one.
I'm in the minority but thought I'd share.
November 8th, 2005 at 9:17 am
Reading a newspaper is essentially a passive act, and we should recognize that the Web sites they publish are in most cases a poor excuse at brand extension that could possibly offer some interactive services to readers, but do not serve the same function.
Can't wait to see you in your Crocs, Mark. All should bow down and kiss Mark's feet!
MarkFan