Friday April 1, 2011

Letter to My Readers: Scripting News Begins Digital Subscriptions -- Today! (Right now.)

On Friday, Scripting News took a major step forward as we introduced digital subscriptions in the United States and the rest of the world. Since we first announced our plan 11 days ago, we have heard from so many of you, our readers. We are grateful for your feedback and, most of all, for your commitment to Scripting News.

By groveling with conviction I hope you feel guilty and give me lots of money!

As I have said previously, the introduction of digital subscriptions is an investment in my future. It will allow me to develop new sources of revenue to strengthen my ability to continue my journalistic mission as well as undertake digital innovations that will enable me to provide you with high-quality journalism on whatever device you choose.

In other words, I like money. Pay me. Now. Or else. :-)

As you may know, on March 17, we introduced digital subscriptions in Canada. The Canadian launching allowed us to test our systems and fine-tune the user interface and customer experience. Today we launched globally.

Translation: Canadians suck.

If you are a home delivery subscriber of The Scripting, you will continue to have full and free access to our news, information, opinion and other features on your computer, smartphone and tablet. International Herald Tribune subscribers will also receive free access to scripting.com.

We hope you won't notice that you've always had free access to scripting.com. Everyone. No exceptions. Even Canadians.

If you are not a home delivery subscriber, you will have free access to 20 articles (including slide shows, videos and other features) each month. If you exceed that limit, you will be asked to become a digital subscriber (i.e. pay us money). On our smartphone and tablet apps, the Top News section will remain free of charge. For access to the other sections within the apps, we will ask you to become a digital subscriber. (Again, you pay us. Now. Stop whining.)

Here is how it will work:

• The Scripting is offering three digital subscription packages, including an all-access option, so you can choose a plan that is right for you based on the devices you own (computer, smartphone, tablet).


• Readers who come to Scripting News articles through links from search engines, blogs, The New York TImes and social media will be able to read those articles, even if they have reached their monthly reading limit. This allows new and casual readers to continue to discover our content on the open Web. On all major search engines, users will have a daily limit on free links to Scripting News articles.


• The home page at scripting.com will remain free to browse for all users at all times.

As you have seen during this recent period of extraordinary news, The Scripting 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 Scripting.

Thank you for reading The Scripting News, in all its forms.

Hugs,

DAVE WINER, Just some Random Dude