06 February, 2006

Free internet

I've been online for a while. Back when I first started downloading songs wasn't seen as wrong. A waste of time maybe back on the 28.8 modems, but not wrong. Gradually business has taken over the net and it's become "respectable". Nothings free anymore.

Except for news sites. I can't remember the last time I bought a paper. The ability to go straight to the section of the "paper" that I'm after is something that I find extremely useful. So much easier then flicking through a paper paper.

How long will it last though? As business see's a niche it can take up, or a way to make people pay for something it will happen. Already some news sites allow access to some parts to whet your appetite but deny access unless you're a subscriber to others. For a small fee you can access everything.

I don't know why anybody would given the plethora of choices available in free news sites but it is obviously a good business choice to try and lock consumers into one site. If you do pay, then you're going to want the most out of your investment and therefore spend more time at that particular site. Allowing them to build a profile of you and therefore target their ads more effectively. Lets face it, TV is really about creating vehicle for ads, no television station out there makes money on broadcasting shows.

Am I far too cynical? Is there still good in big business? I say no to both. And like the rest of you, I'm not going to do a thing about it.

Good night Australia.

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