I think like most people boston.com lost relevancy to me as content dried up. In 10 years it went from being my home page to being deleted from my favorites. I'm not sure a new editor-in-chief is going to do much to change that.
Their problem is lack of content, because the Globe (understandably) doesn't want to give away their product for free.
Maybe Bos.com could become newsier again if the Globe let them display stories from the Globe that have been edited WAY down, to just the kernel of the story. (Like the the way Metro can sum-up the entire European refugee crisis in 3 sentences.) Stories would end with, "To read more, go to BostonGlobe.com" where they would try to get you to sign up.
that's the other thing. Letting incognito mode or javascript blocking let freeloaders like me get at the content is a deliberate choice (as opposed to an actual paywall). It says, I choose to spend money on something that doesn't really monetize my content and makes me look like I don't understand how to monetize my content. All in all doesn't look like adults in charge.
Anyone remember an article on Allston Christmas they had a few years back that printed full on profanity and other off-color remarks from their man-on-the-street interviews?
Comments
News-less "news" site
In a nutshell, the problem is best described by this bit of breaking news from boston.com right now:
"Will a robot take your job in next 20 years?"
Well if you work a McDonalds
It might be relevant and far sooner that 20 years.
Lost Relevancy
I think like most people boston.com lost relevancy to me as content dried up. In 10 years it went from being my home page to being deleted from my favorites. I'm not sure a new editor-in-chief is going to do much to change that.
Dumbed it down for clicks.
My guess is they're making more money on fewer dedicated readers. Because that's how the weird economics of the internet work.
Maybe this would work
Their problem is lack of content, because the Globe (understandably) doesn't want to give away their product for free.
Maybe Bos.com could become newsier again if the Globe let them display stories from the Globe that have been edited WAY down, to just the kernel of the story. (Like the the way Metro can sum-up the entire European refugee crisis in 3 sentences.) Stories would end with, "To read more, go to BostonGlobe.com" where they would try to get you to sign up.
Hey it's better than robot-story click bait!
incognito mode
already lets you get their content for free, its pretty great
Yeah...
that's the other thing. Letting incognito mode or javascript blocking let freeloaders like me get at the content is a deliberate choice (as opposed to an actual paywall). It says, I choose to spend money on something that doesn't really monetize my content and makes me look like I don't understand how to monetize my content. All in all doesn't look like adults in charge.
They're already trying just that.
At a rough guess, I'd say one of out every ten of BdC's articles is using the technique you've described.
Wait...
That thing has an editor?
With the Globe employing Shirley Leung...
...maybe Boston.com can become the respectable one of the two.
Bummer, thought this was McGrory
Boston.com, not the Boston Globe - bummer, would have loved to have seen McGrory get canned.
I nominate Hilary Sargent.
I nominate Hilary Sargent. Because when the ship is sinking you may as well have the people who helped sink it, drive it.
It took this long
Anyone remember an article on Allston Christmas they had a few years back that printed full on profanity and other off-color remarks from their man-on-the-street interviews?
If you read those articles
Their Allston correspondent only covered the area of Comm Ave between the Griggs and Allston Street stops on the B line.
I'm 99% sure dude was too lazy to walk more than a few blocks from his apartment to find stories.