I loved you, New York Times...

Yesterday The New York Times' website implemented its long-awaited (dreaded, in my case) pay wall, that limits online readers to 20 free articles a month before it asks (requires) that they subscribe.

Twenty free articles a month might sound fine and dandy to... well, I don't know who... but I probably go through that many in a day or two. Many people do. Of course, the easy solution to that is obvious: subscribe! But. I'm in college. I am poor. And I am desperately cheap.

From the Times Publisher Arthur Sulzberger Jr. (you can read his entire explanation letter here):

"As you have seen during this recent period of extraordinary global news, The Times is uniquely positioned to keep you informed. The launching of our digital subscription model will help ensure that we can continue to provide you with the high-quality journalism and substantive analysis that you have come to expect from The Times."

I mean, I get it. Newspapers all over the world are struggling to keep afloat. But that doesn't mean I'm not going to pout about it.

I love the Times for that "high-quality journalism and substantive analysis" Sulzberger was talking about. I've defended the Times (and CNN as well) to people who have called it liberal hoopla (in so many words...) because, lets face it, they are the best at the NEWS part. Just because I'm a conservative doesn't mean I should have to suffer through FOX News (or, heaven forbid, the Fox News website) and shun everything else. I don't have to agree with every Op-Ed column that appears in the Times to acknowledge that it is good at what it does.

I'm not sure whether or not I'll subscribe. Perhaps after the first month of rationing I"ll change my mind, but for now I'm disappointed enough to do without.

For reporters, there's an app for that

For now I have a plain-old flip phone, but if an iPhone or some type of smartphone is in my future, I will certainly take a look at the kind of apps that are handy for a reporter to have.

Wes Baker e-mailed me a link today to a list on poynter.org of eight must-have apps for reporters.

I suppose it's not a matter of if, but when. As every technology matures, we all eventually have it. From TVs, to color TVs, to cable, to PCs, to cellphones, to laptops, to HDTV, etc.

News reporters need everything at their disposal possible these days. More than ever it is important to get the news to the audience first. He who is first, gets the most traffic. And eyeballs equal dollar signs.