Up until a couple weeks ago, I used to read the New York Times online everyday. It was my daily ritual, and I quite enjoyed it. But as we all learned in seventh grade, nothing gold can stay.
About a month ago, I came across an article in the New York Times about the New York Times, and how they decided that they were going to begin charging for their online news service. It turns out this was accurate self-reporting, and a while ago, I reached my limit - I read my 20th article since they turned on The Charge Machine, and my allotted four weeks of free reading was far-from-up. If I wanted to continue reading the New York Times, I would have to pay a minimum of $15 every four weeks. Lucky for me, "that's only $3.75/week!" It's also $.54/day, and just over $.02/hour. Alright!
About a month ago, I came across an article in the New York Times about the New York Times, and how they decided that they were going to begin charging for their online news service. It turns out this was accurate self-reporting, and a while ago, I reached my limit - I read my 20th article since they turned on The Charge Machine, and my allotted four weeks of free reading was far-from-up. If I wanted to continue reading the New York Times, I would have to pay a minimum of $15 every four weeks. Lucky for me, "that's only $3.75/week!" It's also $.54/day, and just over $.02/hour. Alright!
So, having established how much it costs, and more importantly, THAT it costs, the next step was to find another online news source. Easy enough, right?
Right?
Perhaps not.
I am having the darnedest time finding a place to read my daily news. Nothing seems to live up to the New York Times website. The Seattle Times, for example, has a poorly designed site. The BBC is British. The Times Picayune ... need I say anything about the Times Picayune? It feels kind of like changing from coffee to tea - I WANT MY CRACK BACK!
Here's my question: Does anyone have any advice about where to read the daily news for free online? I actually really like the layout of the New York Times website, and the pictures are pretty too. But I'm American, I want my shit for free. Any ideas?
npr.org. You already pay for it, so might as well use it.
ReplyDeleteI can't help but chime in - Slate.com, Drudgereport.com, Takimag.com - There are a ton and more to come. But, with the New York Times you get what you pay for. What do you pay for? You are paying writers to do the research, to have the expertise, and a staff of editors to make sure the work is factual, well-written, and succinct. I mean - Tom Wolfe still does work for them. It's worth it.
ReplyDeleteI think I might go for it and get a paper subscription - I have always wanted to do that. If I'm going to pay, I might as well get the full-on romance of reading the paper with coffee and perhaps even a scone, like they did in the good ol' days. And you get full digital access along with a subscription, so I can get my computer-time kicks too. For me, it's kind of like buying vinyl instead of just an mp3. If I'm going to shell out the dough, for some reason I feel better about having the artifact - even if it costs a little more. It's an old school mentality, but hey, I recycle so it's not so bad... Either way, it truly appears that nothing measures up to the New York Times. It's simply da best! I did spend about two hours on NPR today though. I'm going to have so much news now, I won't have time for anything else... I just might have to retire.
ReplyDeleteYeah, It must have been Gary Werden.
ReplyDeleteIt couldn't have been me, because I have known about your colorful little secret since our days as Shogun Warriors in Mr. Bell's class. And since then, I have worked diligently to conceal my distaste for your kimchi ways. Your Korean eyes, however, could never hide their hatred for Mr. Bell's obsession with Japanese culture. Or maybe that was just you despising his all around douchery. Either way, I knew.
I appreciate your delicacy on this matter. I do not remember being a Shogun Warrior, but it sounds awesome, probably more awesome than it actually was. I'd prefer Samurai, though. Yojimbo and Sanjuro "ftw," as they say.
ReplyDeleteAhh, but a samurai IS a shogun warrior. And, it wasn't very cool. And I'm glad you spotted this even though I commented on the wrong post. I'm one-quarter retarded.
ReplyDelete