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rachel at phoenixfeather.net
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May 14, 2004
Online Frustrations
Fire , Media , Rant

The last couple of days there has been a rant brewing in my head. So many news papers are now requiring that you sign up and log in every time you want to read one of their articles. Sorry guys, but I am not the only one who is getting more and more pissed about this. I don't really mind giving you some info about me, though with all the people who just make stuff up I don't know how accurate you can say the data you collected is. And if I'm a member of a site its because the site needs to be confidential, or its a place that I need to go to do some specific job - like when I log in here to write on my blog.

Last night I had this discussion with Kevin, Rick and Ammy. We know that these companies marketing departments have latched on to this idea and they aren't going to let go, but it doesn't really benefit them that much and they actually lose readership this way.

In the past my habits have followed a path of: Oh, I would like to read that - I have to sign in? - oh fine - then i read. Or: Oh, I would like to read that - I have to sign in? - yeah, maybe later.

It's annoying, I get frustrated and I move on in one fashion or another. Today the New York Times did it to me and it was the last straw. I signed up a while ago for their email list that gives me the headlines every day. And so I get my email and read the headlines. Most times I don't end up wanting to read the rest of the article. I did today though, so I clicked on the link in the email and low and behold... THE LOG IN PAGE!

They sent me an email, can't the email tell the page to check my old cookie and be done with it? I mean really, I'm coming from my email that they sent to me - I'm quite obviously already a member. Lets not put a requirement on how determined you are and how many places you have to remember which login combination for in order to be an informed citizen.

*sighs* This time I was annoyed enough not to log in and not to read.

Anyone want to tell me about the situation in Colorado where the bishop is denying religious rights to anyone who votes for a politician or policy that doesn't support the churches desires? (hee hee - this one is another rant all in its self!!)

Comments

echo your thoughs x100000 re: registrations. One paper I (used to) go to with great frequency was the washington post, because it's my old hometown paper. until recently, they would sort of randomly poll you when you clicked on an article link, asking for d.o.b. and zipcode, and that was fine with me, though I used my old dc area zipcode so I would seem less of a bumpkin...

the data collected has to be 50% useless at best...maybe its done on purpose, to preserve their bandwidth from lazy surfers?

Posted by: contessa at May 14, 2004 08:39 PM

They don't seem to understand this just doesn't work. As a paper they should want to utilize the web to bring in new customers who might decide that the paper is worth while enough to buy. However having the login required deters me from reading.

I think the NY Times is a great paper, but I swear I basically spend my life logging into my bank statement, my blog, my email, my credit card payment, my this my that... GACK. I so DON'T need another one.

Posted by: rachel at May 15, 2004 01:23 AM


http://www.bugmenot.com/

I've used this site a number of times to bypass the login pages. Its quicker than registering and protects your privacy.
--Ryan

Posted by: Ryan at May 15, 2004 04:39 AM

Maybe Gmail will be able to read your mind so much someday that it will start providing news clips on the sides instead of adverts....especially if it scans your email and reads your comments of frustration, like these. ????
Brave new G-world.

Posted by: S. at May 16, 2004 07:15 AM
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