Printed paper still holds special value
A reader made a simple request last week for a copy of The Enterprise in which an article about a co-worker had appeared. It’s a common request, so we have practices in place on how to quickly and efficiently fulfill those needs.
The question, for those newspaper naysayers out there, might be, “Why did he want it?” Why would someone want a newspaper article containing words his co-worker submitted and a photograph his co-worker supplied to us? After all, he had the originals, why would he want a copy from the newspaper?
Did he think we wrote a particularly brilliant headline? Did his photo look especially good on the low-quality off-white paper that is newsprint?
No, he wanted the copy of the newspaper because being in the newspaper remains a big enough deal to enough people that those moments are worth preserving.
It’s one of the arguments I present to people who want to tell me that there will be no newspapers in 10 years: People still want to hold a paper in their hands and they still want to cut out that article and stick it in a scrapbook.
It’s true that in 10 years it might come as a computer printout rather than from their newspaper rack, but to many, many people, newspapers still hold a level of importance and respect that can’t be duplicated by online media.
■ ■ ■
A small group of my family members was among the thousands who thronged to college graduation ceremonies this weekend. As we stood among the shoulder-to-shoulder crowd afterwards, waiting to catch a glimpse of “our” graduate, we noticed that we also were part of another phenomenon: We all reached for our cell phones.
Whether talking, texting or checking messages, it seemed at that moment virtually every person in the crowd was connected to someone else in some way.
Even a decade ago cell phones weren’t all that common (remember pagers?), nor were they compact little devices with all manner of applications.
Technology in the newspaper industry and in the world at large has moved at what seems to be hyper-speed.
It is that technology that appears to be on the forefront of developing and expanding media.
Remember when cell phones were just for making calls? Now they are your calculator, navigation system, Web access, gaming system and musical entertainment. If you’re a fan of Twitter, you can even receive updated Beaumont Enterprise headlines on your cell phone.
The message here is to embrace technology and get on board. If you don’t, you’ll spend a long time looking for a pay phone — where all you can do is call someone.
■ ■ ■
Sometimes if it seems too good to be true, it actually is true.
One Enterprise subscriber left a voice mail this week seeking verification of a phone call she had received.
Very suspiciously, she said she had received a call from someone representing The Enterprise who told her she could get the eEdition, an electronic version of The Beaumont Enterprise, for a penny per month in addition to her regular print subscription.
Before she committed, she wanted to verify the identity of the representative and the authenticity of the offer.
Both are completely legitimate. Existing subscribers can get the eEdition for a penny per month. Go to BeaumontEnterprise.com for details.
Just don’t try to convince your spouse that your subscription to our eEdition is their Christmas present. You’ve just been outed.
■ ■ ■
Speaking of Christmas, it’s a good time to remind our readers that producing a daily newspaper requires some dedication to the process and product.
Many local refineries and other manufacturing plants keep shifts going through the holiday. Also working are the first responders and hospital or nursing home employees, hotels and some restaurants — and your newspaper staff.
You get a newspaper every day, seven days a week, 365 days a year because someone works to produce and deliver it to you.
Your support of our efforts makes them worthwhile. Thank you for that, and have a Merry Christmas.
The question, for those newspaper naysayers out there, might be, “Why did he want it?” Why would someone want a newspaper article containing words his co-worker submitted and a photograph his co-worker supplied to us? After all, he had the originals, why would he want a copy from the newspaper?
Did he think we wrote a particularly brilliant headline? Did his photo look especially good on the low-quality off-white paper that is newsprint?
No, he wanted the copy of the newspaper because being in the newspaper remains a big enough deal to enough people that those moments are worth preserving.
It’s one of the arguments I present to people who want to tell me that there will be no newspapers in 10 years: People still want to hold a paper in their hands and they still want to cut out that article and stick it in a scrapbook.
It’s true that in 10 years it might come as a computer printout rather than from their newspaper rack, but to many, many people, newspapers still hold a level of importance and respect that can’t be duplicated by online media.
■ ■ ■
A small group of my family members was among the thousands who thronged to college graduation ceremonies this weekend. As we stood among the shoulder-to-shoulder crowd afterwards, waiting to catch a glimpse of “our” graduate, we noticed that we also were part of another phenomenon: We all reached for our cell phones.
Whether talking, texting or checking messages, it seemed at that moment virtually every person in the crowd was connected to someone else in some way.
Even a decade ago cell phones weren’t all that common (remember pagers?), nor were they compact little devices with all manner of applications.
Technology in the newspaper industry and in the world at large has moved at what seems to be hyper-speed.
It is that technology that appears to be on the forefront of developing and expanding media.
Remember when cell phones were just for making calls? Now they are your calculator, navigation system, Web access, gaming system and musical entertainment. If you’re a fan of Twitter, you can even receive updated Beaumont Enterprise headlines on your cell phone.
The message here is to embrace technology and get on board. If you don’t, you’ll spend a long time looking for a pay phone — where all you can do is call someone.
■ ■ ■
Sometimes if it seems too good to be true, it actually is true.
One Enterprise subscriber left a voice mail this week seeking verification of a phone call she had received.
Very suspiciously, she said she had received a call from someone representing The Enterprise who told her she could get the eEdition, an electronic version of The Beaumont Enterprise, for a penny per month in addition to her regular print subscription.
Before she committed, she wanted to verify the identity of the representative and the authenticity of the offer.
Both are completely legitimate. Existing subscribers can get the eEdition for a penny per month. Go to BeaumontEnterprise.com for details.
Just don’t try to convince your spouse that your subscription to our eEdition is their Christmas present. You’ve just been outed.
■ ■ ■
Speaking of Christmas, it’s a good time to remind our readers that producing a daily newspaper requires some dedication to the process and product.
Many local refineries and other manufacturing plants keep shifts going through the holiday. Also working are the first responders and hospital or nursing home employees, hotels and some restaurants — and your newspaper staff.
You get a newspaper every day, seven days a week, 365 days a year because someone works to produce and deliver it to you.
Your support of our efforts makes them worthwhile. Thank you for that, and have a Merry Christmas.
posted by Sheila Friedeck at 12:15 PM
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