Thursday, March 17, 2011

March 28th

Don't forget to mark it on your calendars.

New York Times Online Subscription Service Launching March 28

The New York Times on Thursday unveiled details about its long-awaited paywall, a digital subscription service that will cost between $15 and $35 per month, depending on your level of service.

I can't speak for you of course, but it will be the last day I stop reading the New York Times. It will be quite a milestone.

For those who don't want to subscribe, the Times will offer 20 free articles per month...

Okay, okay. That's not quite true. I might accidentally read something there, but that 21st time each month is going to annoy the @#$% out of me, lol.

Update:

Speaking of annyoing the @#$% out of me, check this out.

NY Times risks losing readers with new pay model

It will charge $15 per month, or 4 weeks...

Since when are 4 weeks considered to be a month? Last time I checked there were not 13 months in a year.

I added a poll so that you could vote on how much I should pay for online content. Be sure to vote! Hahaha!

14 comments:

Mr Slippery said...

Do they remove all the ads if you pay for a subscription? They don't need the ad revenue if you are paying for it directly, right? Fail.

Anonymous said...

I like your ballot--back in the USSR--oh how happy we are!!

Stagflationary Mark said...

Mr Slippery,

I'm probably just being too harsh. Netflix will no doubt raise prices to $15 (in the budget plan), increase the payment frequency to every four weeks (instead of per month), replace their blockbuster movies with text versions of the same, AND use ad revenue to enhance profits.

I mean really! What's not to like? Sign me up! ;)

Stagflationary Mark said...

Anonymous,

Back in the US
Back in the US
Back in the USSR! ;)

mab said...

Stag,

I changed my vote (had trouble deciding). Is that okay?

Also:

"It doesn't matter who votes. It only matters who counts the ballots." - Joseph Stalin

Yikes, my word verification is "gulca". California gulag? Underwater home-owers.

Anonymous said...

Back in the US<<

Hmmmm..just how did you vote in the last selection :).

Stagflationary Mark said...

mab & Anonymous,

Can I interest you two in PlatinumPlus Preferred Citizenship?

After just one year in the club, members can also begin earning extra votes for elections. "Wouldn't you like to earn up to five bonus votes for the next presidential election?" said U.S. Rep. Roger Wicker (R-MS), a co-sponsor of the measure. "With your new PlatinumPlus citizenship, you can."

Stagflationary Mark said...

USA Today: Inflation risk can hurt portfolio that plays it too safe

Others are considering Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities, or TIPS, which are Treasuries that adjust the principal upwards if there’s inflation. These investments, though, can turn out to be poor choices if inflation doesn’t materialize as feared...

Here's yet another person who thinks inflation helps people who own inflation protected treasury bonds, much like fire must help those who own fire insurance on their homes.

Once again, I'd much prefer to earn 2% with 0% inflation on my TIPS than 102% with 100% inflation. The taxes on the latter would seriously hurt me. Why can't the "experts" seem to understand this?

I do draw comfort in this though. My current poll is telling me that I should not pay more than $0 for online content. I sure do have smart readers! Hahaha! :)

Stagflationary Mark said...

I just stumbled upon some new features.

You can now share each post individually should you so desire. Thanks to nanute for getting me to look into this.

You can also rate my posts for sarcasm content. Just keep in mind that if you do not feel you are getting enough sarcasm I may need to offer a premium service. Sarcasm doesn't come cheap! ;)

Stagflationary Mark said...

I took out the sarcasm rating system. It was too cluttered for my liking. Sorry!

nanute said...

Mark,
Holy Shit! Thanks.

Charles Kiting said...

Back when I used to read hardcopy newspapers, I always borrowed someone else's copy. Not only did the newspapers not complain then, they used to research such behavior and sold their ads based on actual eyeball impressions rather than merely the number of copies sold.

Perhaps the NYT laid off the people who used to know how to operate the business.

Anonymous said...

Back when I used to read hardcopy newspapers, I always borrowed someone else's copy.<<

Hey, were you the one filtching Mrs. Millers' papers at 123 Maple??--I wondered whodunnit :).

Stagflationary Mark said...

I delivered free papers once a week when I was a kid.

I think I was paid 2 cents per paper. WORST job ever.

As tiring as it was to load up a bicycle multiple times with as many papers as humanly possible (to the point the sheer weight of them would dig into my shoulders), there were at least a few people who would yell at me for delivering them.

I did not keep that job long.