Thursday, March 17, 2011
THE TIMES HAS COME
I knew it was coming. And it will arrive March 28. The New York times will cost money to use.
The Times Announces Digital Subscription Plan
We will be able to see 20 articles per month for free. Then, at least for my situation, there will be a charge of 15 dollars per month.
Shit. I could read or open up to scan 20 articles in a day.
I think that the freebies are really going to go to the people who use other site's links. You know, like here. I put that article up, you go to it, you get to see it free if you don't use more than 20 links in a month.
I think that, on the blog, it means that I will not be using NYT links anymore or, if I do, I will provide an alternative. You may not be a NYT subscriber.
That would mean totally Ebert reviews instead of the NYT.
As for my own use, the Times IS my newspaper. I am on it everyday and a lot during the day. I get the emailed summaries and the afternoon political and general postings. I get the general news Alerts. I get the Technology, Health, Money and Movie Newsletters.
I am a NYT tool.
Am I happy to pay 15bucks a month for the "paper"?
Hell, yes.
I would have gladly paid that long ago.
It is nothing compared to the value received. The Times saves money just by informing me. I can make better life and financial decisions. I can find out how to make best use of my time with books, movies and other pursuits.
Credit to the Times for the balls to go ahead with this. I wish them luck and good fortune.
The survival of the "paper" depends on it and a world without the New York Times is too bleak to contemplate.
UPDATE: I just found out that links from blogs will be free. So, if I link a NYT review or article it will not cost you anything. I have already paid for it.
This is similar to the deal at the Wall Street Journal which, incidentally, costs somewhat less at 13.00/month. But is not worth it. To me. I only miss Carl Bialik. Someday he will leave and write elsewhere.
