Printer-Friendly URL's. --- A Big "Thank You" And A "Tip-O'-The-Hat"...

[arwalden]

A big THANK YOU and a TIP-O'-THE-HAT to everyone who takes the time to post links to the "printer-friendly" version of online news stories.

In the grand scheme of things, it's really a small consideration. More of a pleasant surprise and convenience than anything else. BUT... the printer-friendly versions are so much easier to read.

The printer-friendly pages load faster and have fewer--and sometimes NO--advertisements. Nearly all of the printer-friendly versions do not have popups.

SPREAD THE WORD! Remind others of the virtues of printer-friendly URL's and maybe we'll set a trend.

Or not. It's just a suggestion. It's up to you.

But thanks, again, to those who take the time to post the alternate URL's. Your efforts are not unnoticed and ARE appreciated.

-- Allen

[DEMActivist]

1. I think you should consider

that posting those urls without the advertisements that pay for the bandwidth you use to read those articles means those site will go register only or paid subscription.

These folks have to pay the bills somehow and bypassing their source of income doesn't help them do that.

I don't care for the ads either, but I do like being able to get my news online and if we don't support those sites (by viewing the annoying ads) we'll lose that source of news.

[RC]

2. I prefer to post to the printer friendly URL because

the story being refered to is often buried amoung other stories and ads and other clutter on the refering page.
It is easy to back up on the URL and see what else is at the site.

[arwalden]

3. I See Your Point...

... and if they do change to registered or paid access, then I'll move on to other sources. I seriously doubt that CNN, TIME, NEWSWEEK, NYT, WP, YAHOO (which are the most common linked sources) will go belly up if the folks at DU went directly to the printer-friendly URL.

I'm certain that your concern for their well-being and for protecting your avenues of information is sincere... but it's most likely unnecessary. (Any news source that's teetering on financial ruin because of ad-free printer-friendly URL's probably would start inserting ads there if they really felt the pinch.)

"Noam Sayin?"

-- Allen