Some newspaper are looking at new business models. Extending the newspaper business to users of online services is a natural, if difficult, move … these systems may never be more than an electronic extension to the newspaper and want-ad services that account for so much of the revenue for publishing firms.
Predictor: Cisler, Steve
Prediction, in context:In a report on community networks written in 1993 and published on the Web site of Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility, Steve Cisler writes: ”America Online (AOL) has been collaborating with the San Jose Mercury News, the flagship of the Knight-Ridder chain of newspapers. With the readership (and advertising revenues) for many newspaper in decline, some newspaper are looking at new business models. Extending the newspaper business to users of online services is a natural, if difficult, move. The Merc, as the paper is known locally, has set up the Mercury Center on AOL that provides the full text of articles in the paper, a way of corresponding with columnists and editors, searchable classified ads, in addition to extra new material plus years of archived articles using a fairly attractive and easy to use graphic interface. The service began in the Spring of 1993, and the testing period for new users is still in effect. With 12 full-time staff plus the involvement of many of the print-based staffers, this new business bears watching. Users pay $9.95 per month and receive 5 hours of use (at 2400 bps access speed) in the monthly fee … these systems may never be more than an electronic extension to the newspaper and want-ad services that account for so much of the revenue for publishing firms.”
Biography:Steve Cisler was the chief library scientist at the Apple Corporate Library and was active in the early Internet community as a writer/activist. (Research Scientist/Illuminator.)
Date of prediction: January 1, 1991
Topic of prediction: Getting, Sharing Information
Subtopic: Newspapers
Name of publication: Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility Web site
Title, headline, chapter name: Community Computer Networks: Building Electronic Greenbelts
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
www.cpsr.org/program/community-nets/building_electronic_greenbelts.html
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Anderson, Janna Quitney