That's what I'm talking about, part II
I got this cool e-mail from a reader having trouble with the delivery of his News & Record. Normally, I cringe at these sorts of correspondence because they indicate the worst kind of system failure: someone wants our newspaper and we aren't getting it to him.
But this guy, as you'll see, is my future.
When my paper did not arrive I sat with my morning coffee and pondered why I could not go upstairs and read my News & Record online. After all I could check my e-mail, whip out a few early morning replies, read my son's blog, update my blog and read the paper at the same time.
But I am a creature of habit. The paper, the coffee at my breakfast place is my morning. Even though I want my news to be absolutely current and I love the ability to immediately voice my opinion, I am still a creature of habit. Your efforts to be visionary with the paper really speak to me. I want my newspaper to be interactive. I am writing to compliment you and your efforts, to say if the reason my paper did not arrive by carrier is to remind me that the time is coming for driveway paper delivery to be obsolete, I hear you.
I am also writing to tell you that perhaps with a little incentive, I could use a notebook and wi fi access, I will give up the paper paper. Isn't there the technology to make a newspod, an inexpensive little device that I could have in my breakfast place and might even be portable to the bathroom that would permit me to read the paper 2010 style!
Now, it's possible this writer is jerking my chain to get his darned paper to his house by 5:30 a.m. But he's exactly right about wanting the interactive paper that's more of a flexible LCD that updates and refreshes like a Web page. And that is portable so that he can take it from the breakfast table to the bathroom.
I've no doubt that will be available because there has already been experimentation with precisely that. It wouldn't surprise me for a commenter to say that it is available already. This is precisely why we're experimenting with different ways of delivering news and information to readers, including podcasting, which is now being pooh-poohed in some parts of the blogosphere.
But I can only hope that newspapers -- in particular, this newspaper -- will be among the first adopters. And I'd bet it occurs before 2010.
In the meantime, I passed his e-mail to our circulation department and assured him we will do better on his delivery.
Comments (10)
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This guy I know wrote an article for Wired about the paper computer in 2000.
Posted on August 10, 2005 9:16 PM
John- how can you cringe when some carrier misses a customer. The carrier is charged $5! I wrote before about your lack of respect for carriers when the papers get out late. It happens 3-5 times a month! You were condescending at best, when you said it had nothing to do with a lack of respect for the carriers.
The carriers are there 7 days a week. They gross about $9-10 per hour, but are required to handle all expenses (gas, bags to keep paper dry, etc.). When they miss someone- its $5. Wet paper? $3.00. (Despite the fact you make carriers use bags). If a carrier needs a day off, they have to pay $15-20 per hour.
When the paper's late...not a dime to the carrier. How much has gas gone up in 12 months? How about the bags? And how long since our pay has increased? You refuse to compensate hard working people who- if given proper incentive could help increase circulation. You know alot of these folks are just hard workers trying to get ahead- and you are taking them for granted.
Its posts like this that show your true colors.
Posted on August 10, 2005 10:37 PM
"podcasting, which is now being pooh-poohed"
Um, I've been pooh-poohing it for months!
It's USELESS!
I'll refresh everyone:
First, podcasting defies ALL the basics of the web. On the web, the world can access things on demand -- they are always there. And, they are always there at your pace. It's called "non linear"
Podcasting on the other hand is a broadcasting model. Sure, you can acess it (download it) whenever you want. But, the info you WANT in it and your ability to access the info in the file is completely technology from 1920s radio. YOU MUST SIT AND WAIT FOR THE INFO TO BE PLAYED FOR YOU!
Can podcasting be good for something? Sure: books on tape that you listen to in the car. For news? ABSOLUTELY NOT!
I still don't think you will understand.
Just because you can create audio files doesn't mean it's a good idea. In fact, you've had the ability to post audio files on this site for 8 years. Why do it now? Because it is a trend.
Posted on August 10, 2005 10:38 PM
Chip, have you been enslaved by the N&R or do you continue to be a carrier by choice?
Posted on August 11, 2005 9:21 AM
Jim, the beauty of technology is that there's usually an answer if you ask the right question and dig hard enough. Chaptering, bookmarking, etc. are possible. As we move down this path, this technology may be added. I don't think many people actually understand how to use it, but I'll reserve judgment until we add it.
As far as reading news, boring. Well, with a caveat. We're reading stories in only one of our podcasts, and we're planning to tweak the format in that one in the future. For the rest of our podcasts, you get a different flavor of "news" with locally produced music, interviews and commentary which cannot be experienced in print.
Now, as far as reading news, I just started subscribing to Slate Magazine's podcast. I don't read Slate, but in five to seven minutes (my commute time), I can listen to an interesting story and some of the thoughts about the topic from the reporter. I recently listened to "Ranch dressing: Why do Americans love it so much?", and was fascinated by some of the history of the condiment. It helps that the person reading has a pleasant voice and the show has good production values.
Podcasting a trend? Sure. Will it last? I don't know, but as you mentioned we have had the "ability" the past eight years to provide audio.
Just in the last few years, though, has there been a growth of broadband access to listen to audio and view video content online without the tremendous wait. I'm not going to listen to something on a dialup connection or try to watch a movie trailer either. Now with broadband? Heck yeah!
Also, what most people don't understand about podcasting is that it's not just putting up a file for somebody to download. That's old news as you point out. What's new is the ability to subscribe and have the files download automatically. You can have software organize them pretty easily, and you can put those files on a portable medium (CD, MP3 player, etc.). That's happened just within the past year.
Lots of people were pooh-poohing blogging a few years ago (and some still do), but blogging is giving you and many others a forum to get your thoughts out to a larger audience. The same with the growth of podcasting. And videoblogging. And moblogging. And ...
If Apple and Microsoft are interested in podcasting, then something must be going on.
As for books, how do you know we're not thinking about that?
Posted on August 11, 2005 10:24 AM
No Patrick, not enslaved... just standing up for the circulation little guys. I'm already on my way out as a carrier.
Two things: I love the Newspaper and beleive it can thrive. Second, as a business owner I was impressed at the level of commitment the carriers and the circulation department have for the customer.
Your question implies I should not complain and just quit. (I am doing so)But I will tell you many carriers need the money to supliment there income from their full time jobs. That type of work ethic is rare.
Posted on August 11, 2005 12:59 PM
My paper was waiting for me this morning at 6 AM. I went right back to my comfortable routine. The paper responded well to my comments. But it is what I would expect from a paper that wants to push into the future, presenting real time news with the ability to interact.
I think the N&R is on the right track!
Posted on August 11, 2005 2:31 PM
For the record, Bob p is the writer of the original e-mail to me. Glad we got it right this morning, Bob.
Posted on August 11, 2005 2:34 PM
I spend entirely too much time in front of my computer as it is. Sitting down to read the paper (cover to cover, except for that tree-killin' sports section) is a welcome break. Oh well, if N&R goes totally techno, I suppose that I can just hit the "print" button...
Posted on August 11, 2005 5:22 PM
I enjoy the online paper since I no longer live in G'boro. I also enjoy about another dozen or so on line papers from around the country and around the world.
Posted on August 12, 2005 12:48 PM