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Northfield News opens up access to its website

Aug.11 2007 at 07:22 by Griff Wigley

NN-Interactive-9.02_Small.gifThey may have done this a while ago but I noticed this morning that Northfield News apparently has ended its practice of requiring site visitors to have a paid subscription in order to access all the content of its website.

I don’t think they’ve announced this and their FAQ page, last updated in July of 2002, still says “Most of the content is secured so subscribers can see the full story when they click on the briefs shown in each section.”

On top of their recent release of some stories on their website in between print editions and their addition of an online comment box at the end of many articles, this is a very welcome change. It may be economically smart but more importantly, it’s a great benefit to the area’s civic blogosphere because area citizens and leaders can easily link to issue-related articles and discuss them anywhere. Kudos to publisher Sam Gett.

Posted in Media, Technology

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6 comments so far

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    Penny Hillemann     August 11, 2007 10:14 am

    The News announced a few weeks ago in a commentary on the op-ed page that this change would be coming. It’s indeed a very welcome step for the community.

    #1

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    Griff Wigley     August 11, 2007 12:17 pm

    Thanks, Penny. I found it: Share your opinions on our website. I must say, I’m pleased that I scooped them on this. ;-)

    #2

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    Sean Hayford O'Leary     August 13, 2007 4:27 pm

    I’m glad that the site is open, but it’s not at all welcoming. Their search isn’t effective and they never include photos in their articles like they do in the print edition.

    And what’s the deal with the comment form? Not only do they have CAPTCHA, they have an elaborate list on what’s not permissible:

    - Post or transmit any unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, fraudulent, false, defamatory, discriminatory, obscene, vulgar, hateful, pornographic, profane or indecent information of any kind, including without limitation any transmissions constituting or encouraging conduct that would constitute a criminal offense, give rise to civil liability or otherwise violate any local, state, national or international law.

    - Post or transmit any information, software or other material that violates or infringes upon the rights of others, including material that is an invasion of privacy or publicity rights or that is protected by copyright, trademark or other proprietary right, or derivative works with respect thereto, without first obtaining permission from the owner or right holder.

    - Post or transmit any information, software or other material that contains a virus or other harmful component.

    - Post, transmit or in any way exploit any information, software or other material for commercial purposes, or that contains advertising.

    - Advertise or solicit to anyone to buy or sell products or services, or to make donations of any kind, without the express written approval of Northfield News.

    - Gather for the purpose of spamming, phishing or password harvesting email addresses that have been posted by other users of the Sites.

    - Use or attempt to use another person’s account, password or services.

    - Disrupt, interfere with or otherwise violate the security of the site or any services, accounts, passwords, servers or networks related to the site.

    - Send repeated messages to another user or repeat postings of the same message under the same or multiple subjects.

    If you want to create effective online discussion, you really need to do it on the user’s terms — at least until the discussion areas become popular.

    #3

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    Griff Wigley     August 13, 2007 10:33 pm

    Yep, lots of improvements are needed to their site, Sean, I agree. I’d really like to see a photo gallery where lots more of Dan Iverson’s photos could be displayed, esp. ones that DON’T make the paper.

    #4

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    Jerry Bilek     August 14, 2007 10:14 am

    The News has made a number of improvements to the website. I think they will continue to improve. More pictures would be welcome as would a new layout.

    #5

  6. Icon
    Photographer Dan Iverson departs from the Northfield News - Locally Grown     May 13, 2008 8:51 am

    […] summer, I wrote in a blog comment that “I’d really like to see a photo gallery where lots more of Dan Iverson’s photos […]

    #6

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