Why I Read the Online Product Now
posted at 6:39 pm
on Sep. 5, 2005
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I subscribe to a mailing list called Online-News. On it, a fellow posted his list of top ten reasons why he still reads the newspaper. I posted this as my reply.
Tom,
Your list was very funny and true. However, I thought I ought to respond with the other point of view….
Top 10 Reasons for Reading a News Site
1. My news site has never stained my clean shirt or my car seat.
2. Anywhere I travel, my news site goes with me. It doesn’t pile up while I’m away.
3. I can listen to my news site’s podcast while standing, while eating, while riding a bus, OR while I drive my car.
4. If I read a story I like, I can send it to a friend without a stamp.
5. My news site doesn’t just have sections—it’s customizable, and it shows my wife and I exactly what we’re interested, separately.
6. I’ll give you the battery advantage. But my news site has each apartment listing with detailed descriptions, photos and a precise map. My newspaper says “Downtown, 2 bd/2 bt, 5 appl., ht & ht wtr, balc, d/i pool, n/p, n/s. $1200”
7. My news site never gets stolen off my doorstep or delivered late. Or wet.
8. My news site doesn’t need to be recycled.
9. If my news site is makes a mistake, they correct the original story, and when I read that story later, I will see the corrected version. My newspaper may not be broken, but it could be wrong.
10. I can read my news site in a light breeze.
But I think the most important reason for reading a news site is this:
11. In the past ten years, my news site has gone from a tiny experiment to being the place I turn to for news and community. In the past ten years, my newspaper… well, how many people can say their newspaper has become more relevant, trustworthy and useful?
Subject: Why I still read the print product
From: Tom Rouillard
Date: Sept. 4, 2005
I worked in print for seven years followed by eight in online. I know the future is online, but I just can’t resist picking up a newspaper and reading a column of briefs or a short story or just the photo caption if I don’t have much time.
So, at the risk of sounding outdated and blind to the future, here are my…
Top 10 Reasons for Still Reading a Newspaper
1. The newspaper has never burned my lap. (Macs run hot!)
2. The flight attendant has never told me to put my newspaper away.
3. I can read my newspaper while standing, while eating, while riding a bus.
4. I can give my newspaper to someone else when I am done.
5. I can read the A section while my wife reads the metro section.
6. My newspaper’s battery never dies.
7. If my newspaper gets wet, I can buy another for about a buck.
8. I can recycle my newspaper at the curb.
9. If I drop my newspaper, it doesn’t break.
10. I can read my newspaper during a lightning storm.
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