Comments on: SF Chronicle Trims Business Section; The Best Are Gone http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/ Startup and Technology News Sat, 30 Aug 2008 14:21:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Laid off? Take your Skills to the Web « Local Media in a Web 2.0 World http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1752050 Laid off? Take your Skills to the Web « Local Media in a Web 2.0 World Mon, 12 Nov 2007 17:18:20 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1752050 [...] right-sizing, and lay-offs. Pretty common these days in the land of TV, Radio and Newspaper. Most of the time they are due to the economic pressures of having to hit a new budget while the [...] [...] right-sizing, and lay-offs. Pretty common these days in the land of TV, Radio and Newspaper. Most of the time they are due to the economic pressures of having to hit a new budget while the [...]

]]> By: The online newspaper format debate « The PressDisplay Blog http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1569481 The online newspaper format debate « The PressDisplay Blog Thu, 23 Aug 2007 21:44:34 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1569481 [...] the blogosphere doesn’t stop talking about it either.  Here’s a post from TechCrunch this month that might interest you,  where the author talks about the plight of [...] [...] the blogosphere doesn’t stop talking about it either.  Here’s a post from TechCrunch this month that might interest you,  where the author talks about the plight of [...]

]]> By: Gayle Moss http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1567872 Gayle Moss Wed, 22 Aug 2007 16:59:56 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1567872 For those of you looking for a full content PDF of a newspaper, have you heard of www.pressdisplay.com? It offers over 500 full digital replicas of newspapers from around the world. It starts with a PDF from the publisher and adds a lot of cool features like email sharing, blogging, instant translation, audio, mobile (yes, even for an iPhone or BB), search and monitoring and offline reading. It's the whole paper without the paper and it's in the standard newspaper format. You can try it for free for 1 month if you register and use the offercode: news Enjoy! Gayle For those of you looking for a full content PDF of a newspaper, have you heard of http://www.pressdisplay.com? It offers over 500 full digital replicas of newspapers from around the world. It starts with a PDF from the publisher and adds a lot of cool features like email sharing, blogging, instant translation, audio, mobile (yes, even for an iPhone or BB), search and monitoring and offline reading. It’s the whole paper without the paper and it’s in the standard newspaper format. You can try it for free for 1 month if you register and use the offercode: news

Enjoy!
Gayle

]]> By: Dan Fost http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1547555 Dan Fost Fri, 10 Aug 2007 05:10:26 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1547555 Mike - thanks for the kind words. Count me among those who hates to see newspapers struggling to get by in the Internet age, but I think they'll find a way to survive. Plenty of old media have survived the onslaught of new media - print survived radio, radio survived television, etc. And you're mistaken to think Al Saracevic doesn't get new media. He pushed to have us launched Tech Chronicles, and is just the guy to lead the Business section. As witnessed by that post you linked to, Al is just wickedly funny, fearless, and opinionated, and like any good journalist has a fine eye for contradiction. Sounds to me like a good combination for the blogosphere. Mike - thanks for the kind words. Count me among those who hates to see newspapers struggling to get by in the Internet age, but I think they’ll find a way to survive. Plenty of old media have survived the onslaught of new media - print survived radio, radio survived television, etc.

And you’re mistaken to think Al Saracevic doesn’t get new media. He pushed to have us launched Tech Chronicles, and is just the guy to lead the Business section. As witnessed by that post you linked to, Al is just wickedly funny, fearless, and opinionated, and like any good journalist has a fine eye for contradiction. Sounds to me like a good combination for the blogosphere.

]]> By: Massimo http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1544135 Massimo Wed, 08 Aug 2007 17:58:06 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1544135 David Lazarus was a fine reporter and will do great at the LA Times. I read countless articles by him in the Chronicle over the years. Many were great examples of good, investigative journalism, discussing difficult topics and questioning the status quo. A quick example: a few years ago he wrote a long, in-depth analysis on all issues regarding homelessness in San Francisco. The Chronicle published his findings over several days, in one of the best reports written about this never-ending Bay Area problem. David will be missed. David Lazarus was a fine reporter and will do great at the LA Times. I read countless articles by him in the Chronicle over the years. Many were great examples of good, investigative journalism, discussing difficult topics and questioning the status quo. A quick example: a few years ago he wrote a long, in-depth analysis on all issues regarding homelessness in San Francisco. The Chronicle published his findings over several days, in one of the best reports written about this never-ending Bay Area problem. David will be missed.

]]> By: Johnson http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1544115 Johnson Wed, 08 Aug 2007 17:43:22 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1544115 @32 Phileg - And I suppose you think that morass of links and info in most website design is the ultimate UI design? Like http://www.msnbc.msn.com/ for example. What do I look at first, where do I go, where was I, how do I get back? Sheese. I only suggested PDF because it could easily & accurately represent a real world newspaper. I am sure there are other similar options. My point was that newspaper design has been massaged over a long period of time and I personally am comfortable with that design. So I would like an online representation. @32 Phileg - And I suppose you think that morass of links and info in most website design is the ultimate UI design? Like http://www.msnbc.msn.com/ for example. What do I look at first, where do I go, where was I, how do I get back? Sheese. I only suggested PDF because it could easily & accurately represent a real world newspaper. I am sure there are other similar options.

My point was that newspaper design has been massaged over a long period of time and I personally am comfortable with that design. So I would like an online representation.

]]> By: KingJacob http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1544053 KingJacob Wed, 08 Aug 2007 16:55:21 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1544053 Why dont they just adapt to new media like other newspapers? Even the terrible Houston Chronicles adapted with their chron.com and are staying well in the black. Why dont they just adapt to new media like other newspapers? Even the terrible Houston Chronicles adapted with their chron.com and are staying well in the black.

]]> By: Matt Keegan http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1544039 Matt Keegan Wed, 08 Aug 2007 16:38:33 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1544039 What's a newspaper? Seriously, most twenty-somethings aren't interested in following a print publication and the days of type-press media are over. Yes, consolidation and select pubs will likely survive but online media is where its at. What’s a newspaper? Seriously, most twenty-somethings aren’t interested in following a print publication and the days of type-press media are over. Yes, consolidation and select pubs will likely survive but online media is where its at.

]]> By: randy http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1544001 randy Wed, 08 Aug 2007 16:15:19 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1544001 LOL ^ LOL ^

]]> By: Phileg http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1543924 Phileg Wed, 08 Aug 2007 15:20:28 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1543924 Johnson: "I’m still waiting for someone to take the whole newspaper, put it into PDF format on the web and make it look exactly like the newspaper all the way" Yeah.. because people LOVE flipping through PDFs on their screen all day. You must have a Masters in user interface design. Johnson: “I’m still waiting for someone to take the whole newspaper, put it into PDF format on the web and make it look exactly like the newspaper all the way”

Yeah.. because people LOVE flipping through PDFs on their screen all day. You must have a Masters in user interface design.

]]> By: Rich Miller http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1543723 Rich Miller Wed, 08 Aug 2007 12:41:11 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1543723 The Chron cuts simply continue the prevailing trend: newspapers are slashing costs and quality is suffering, and the journalists who used to work for them are moving into the blogosphere. It's no longer a war between new and old media. The Forbes blog-basher turned out to be <a>Fake Steve Jobs</a>. Walt Mossberg is blogging. The Internet has won. It's time for the blogosphere to declare victory and gracefully absorb some of these talented journalists, and do a little less dancing on their former employers' graves. The Chron cuts simply continue the prevailing trend: newspapers are slashing costs and quality is suffering, and the journalists who used to work for them are moving into the blogosphere. It’s no longer a war between new and old media. The Forbes blog-basher turned out to be Fake Steve Jobs. Walt Mossberg is blogging. The Internet has won. It’s time for the blogosphere to declare victory and gracefully absorb some of these talented journalists, and do a little less dancing on their former employers’ graves.

]]> By: Johnson http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1543388 Johnson Wed, 08 Aug 2007 08:36:23 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1543388 TechDumpster wrote: Michael - what’s hurting your blog is the lack of focus and poor writing (Duncan Riley’s articles are the most obvious example). You should focus on writing on solid web companies that are really making a difference ... ========================== Yup. We need more stories about social networking companies - NOT. As for the Chron, I read it every day. I find it good to get away from the computer. I like how the newspaper includes something for everyone. You get to choose from the whole selection of stories, in one place, without having to do any work other than flip the page. Like many old newspapers, the Chron has made many mistakes. Their SFGate web site sucks. It's a mishmash of a site. There search functionality doesn't work very well. You can click on a link that says Today's Chronicle but it doesn't look anything like the newspaper. And if you need any help from what passes for support there, good luck in getting a reply. The Chron still won't allow the use of anonymous names in their letters to the editors section. So I refuse to send letters to the Editor. I think this is a big point for many younger people. I'm still waiting for someone to take the whole newspaper, put it into PDF format on the web and make it look exactly like the newspaper all the way. The newspaper format is tried and proven over 150 or more years. It is an optimized way to provide information. But instead, newspapers try to map their proven format into something that looks like everything else on the web, a mess of stories, columns, frames, etc. TechDumpster wrote: Michael - what’s hurting your blog is the lack of focus and poor writing (Duncan Riley’s articles are the most obvious example). You should focus on writing on solid web companies that are really making a difference …
==========================
Yup. We need more stories about social networking companies - NOT.

As for the Chron, I read it every day. I find it good to get away from the computer. I like how the newspaper includes something for everyone. You get to choose from the whole selection of stories, in one place, without having to do any work other than flip the page.

Like many old newspapers, the Chron has made many mistakes. Their SFGate web site sucks. It’s a mishmash of a site. There search functionality doesn’t work very well. You can click on a link that says Today’s Chronicle but it doesn’t look anything like the newspaper. And if you need any help from what passes for support there, good luck in getting a reply.

The Chron still won’t allow the use of anonymous names in their letters to the editors section. So I refuse to send letters to the Editor. I think this is a big point for many younger people.

I’m still waiting for someone to take the whole newspaper, put it into PDF format on the web and make it look exactly like the newspaper all the way. The newspaper format is tried and proven over 150 or more years. It is an optimized way to provide information. But instead, newspapers try to map their proven format into something that looks like everything else on the web, a mess of stories, columns, frames, etc.

]]> By: Al http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1543376 Al Wed, 08 Aug 2007 08:28:09 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1543376 The Chron is way too liberal. The one-sidedness makes me feel like I'm reading fiction. Why read something when you know so much infromation is purposely left out? The Chron is way too liberal. The one-sidedness makes me feel like I’m reading fiction. Why read something when you know so much infromation is purposely left out?

]]> By: Zeta http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1542745 Zeta Tue, 07 Aug 2007 22:14:53 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1542745 Here one awesome post right on the topic: http://tinyurl.com/33z3sf End of a large print news outlet is as relevant to web 2.0 as a launch of a new site. Here one awesome post right on the topic: http://tinyurl.com/33z3sf
End of a large print news outlet is as relevant to web 2.0 as a launch of a new site.

]]> By: Zeta http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1542734 Zeta Tue, 07 Aug 2007 22:07:31 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1542734 Could be a good opportunity to replace some of poor performing TC writers and get one of the laid off journos to do some writing here, Mike? Could be a good opportunity to replace some of poor performing TC writers and get one of the laid off journos to do some writing here, Mike?

]]> By: patricia http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1542666 patricia Tue, 07 Aug 2007 21:03:20 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1542666 Print media's taking a real beating right now, especially business press. The IT trades had already and started to move to digital, which has helped them. InfoWorld's no longer published in print - only online. I can remember when it was not only available in print, but thick with pages. I think this is going to cycle around to all of the verticals in all print media - fashion, entertainment, children/parenting, etc. Most of the tech verticals already had their downturn and moved online, but I'm sure some will see changes like this too. Ah, disruption. It's not a good time to be a print journalist (or just getting out of journalism school) but I suspect that in two years, most print will get the digital world, have made their moves, and money will be pumping back in, but things will never be the same again, that's for sure. Print media’s taking a real beating right now, especially business press. The IT trades had already and started to move to digital, which has helped them. InfoWorld’s no longer published in print - only online. I can remember when it was not only available in print, but thick with pages.

I think this is going to cycle around to all of the verticals in all print media - fashion, entertainment, children/parenting, etc. Most of the tech verticals already had their downturn and moved online, but I’m sure some will see changes like this too.

Ah, disruption. It’s not a good time to be a print journalist (or just getting out of journalism school) but I suspect that in two years, most print will get the digital world, have made their moves, and money will be pumping back in, but things will never be the same again, that’s for sure.

]]> By: Robert Seidman http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1542659 Robert Seidman Tue, 07 Aug 2007 20:54:49 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1542659 Brian (#17) absolutely summer doldrums for almost everyone. My point wasn't that TechCrunch is hurting and let me be very clear, I don't think TechCrunch is hurting!! I kind of love all the comments from people "who can't read this site anymore because it's so awful" and yet still...read it. The guy from TechDumpster said TechCrunch was hurting -- the chart was supposed to be humorous in depicting that it was TechDumpster that is hurting (too little info to even show up as a line on that chart), not TechCrunch! Brian (#17) absolutely summer doldrums for almost everyone.

My point wasn’t that TechCrunch is hurting and let me be very clear, I don’t think TechCrunch is hurting!! I kind of love all the comments from people “who can’t read this site anymore because it’s so awful” and yet still…read it.

The guy from TechDumpster said TechCrunch was hurting — the chart was supposed to be humorous in depicting that it was TechDumpster that is hurting (too little info to even show up as a line on that chart), not TechCrunch!

]]> By: Good Riddance http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1542627 Good Riddance Tue, 07 Aug 2007 20:34:30 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1542627 good riddance. That snailspam vehicle hasn't published an original thought (save the illegally-acquired barry bonds testimony) in 20 years. The NYTimes sets the slow-news agenda in this country; AP distributes it. That's it. As for your business reporters, Mike: If they're any good, they can go work for Om or Matt. good riddance. That snailspam vehicle hasn’t published an original thought (save the illegally-acquired barry bonds testimony) in 20 years.

The NYTimes sets the slow-news agenda in this country; AP distributes it. That’s it.

As for your business reporters, Mike: If they’re any good, they can go work for Om or Matt.

]]> By: markg http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1542621 markg Tue, 07 Aug 2007 20:29:50 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1542621 techcrunch does increasingly suck as all it does is suck up to everyone, its become a bad version of fuckedcompany. re sf chron, they should fire all their reporters and simply subcontract with bloggers and wires and have a few smart editors pick shit. techcrunch does increasingly suck as all it does is suck up to everyone, its become a bad version of fuckedcompany.
re sf chron, they should fire all their reporters and simply subcontract with bloggers and wires and have a few smart editors pick shit.

]]> By: Jones http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1542603 Jones Tue, 07 Aug 2007 20:10:39 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1542603 LOL @ 18 LOL @ 18

]]> By: vargas http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1542589 vargas Tue, 07 Aug 2007 19:50:28 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1542589 Whoops! Looks like a glitch! I'll try again. . . >>Am I the only person who sees the irony in bay area papers at the heart of DOT.COM world missing the new media revolution. Whoops! Looks like a glitch! I’ll try again. . .

>>Am I the only person who sees the irony in bay area papers at the heart of DOT.COM world missing the new media revolution.

]]> By: vargas http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1542584 vargas Tue, 07 Aug 2007 19:46:45 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1542584 >>Am I the only person who sees the irony in bay area papers at the heart of DOT.COM world missing the new media revolution. >>Am I the only person who sees the irony in bay area papers at the heart of DOT.COM world missing the new media revolution.

]]> By: kalpesh http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1542566 kalpesh Tue, 07 Aug 2007 19:26:18 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1542566 newspapers when they deviate from publishing original stories which can bind or affect community lose on the race and have to wait either for someone to takeover or shut down. Any newspaper is an institution in itself. newspapers when they deviate from publishing original stories which can bind or affect community lose on the race and have to wait either for someone to takeover or shut down. Any newspaper is an institution in itself.

]]> By: Hasan Luongo http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1542562 Hasan Luongo Tue, 07 Aug 2007 19:23:00 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1542562 its a shame, blogs are good and all, but I for one also enjoy chillin out with the paper. The SF Chron is a cultural institution in the Bay Area and to see it demising is pretty sad. its a shame, blogs are good and all, but I for one also enjoy chillin out with the paper. The SF Chron is a cultural institution in the Bay Area and to see it demising is pretty sad.

]]> By: Brian http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1542548 Brian Tue, 07 Aug 2007 19:11:20 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/07/sf-chronicle-guts-business-section/#comment-1542548 Robert (#13): It looks like that graph illustrates a downward trend for the summer months, shouldn't that be expected? Robert (#13): It looks like that graph illustrates a downward trend for the summer months, shouldn’t that be expected?

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