Tuscaloosa News Forum

Forums: Politics, crochet, gardening, hate, cake decorating--you name it, and they're out there. Yes, we used the word hate to describe some since there's no better description. The TimesDaily boasts that its online news site, complete with reader forum, is the largest read site in the Shoals. Yet, rumors persist that editor Scott Morris has plans to discontinue this popular venue.

Apparently the TD isn't the only newspaper to be the subject of rumors. The Tuscaloosa News, unlike the TD, is still part of the New York Times group, a company that has announced it will be eliminating its forums come February. So what of the TNF?

According to sources at the Tuscaloosa News, that newspaper will continue its popular forum, buying the current software or finding a format that is compatible with the present forum. Why should we in the Shoals care?

Visit the Tuscaloosa News Forum and count the number of members from the Shoals. The number grows daily for a variety of reasons. The TNF seems to have actual moderation--effective moderation at that. We invite you to visit it. You just might like it.


What's up with this: Andy Betterton is advocating that Blackberry Village subdivision revert to R-1 zoning. Fairly easy to advocate de facto zoning, isn't it? We've supported the R-2 zoning as an improvement over the former trailer park; obviously Eugene Sak is living up to his promise of doing what's best for Florence and the subdivision's neighbors.

Shoalanda

TimesDaily to Charge for Online Content?

The Tennessee Valley Printing Company is owned by the Shelton family; currently the fourth generation of Sheltons manage this growing business. Yes, in this economic recession, the Tennessee Valley Printing Company is still growing, but by acquisition, rather than increased sales and revenue. Obviously, this decades old company knows it needs the latter to survive another generation.

The Decatur Daily, the company's oldest newspaper, charges for its online content. In other words, one must subscribe to the newspaper in order to read it online. The Moulton Advertiser, purchased by the Tennessee Valley Printing Company in 2007, still maintains free access to its entire online site. When the company purchased the TimesDaily from the New York Times earlier this year, it made few changes in online services; however, sources say this may soon change.

According to the Wall Street Journal, newspapers that offer their articles online lose subscribers, while those papers offering only "teasers" have a robust and growing subscribership. Declining sales of newspapers may have coined the word "newosaur," but not all newspapers are falling victim to the lure of free news on the Internet. Obviously, the Tennessee Valley Printing Company doesn't want the TimesDaily to become a newosaur, and we can't blame them.

When (and if) this new policy goes into effect, what of the TimesDaily Forums? The Decatur Daily discontinued their forums without notice some time ago; TimesDaily editor Scott Morris has publicly stated he doesn't like the anonymity of such websites. In other words, forum junkies should be prepared to move on to other forum venues. We understand some forums offer not only serious intellectual discussion, but cordial camaraderie--something the TimesDaily Forum lost eighteen months ago.


What's up with this: Many cities ban unelected politicians (read: overbearing candidates) from participation in Veterans Day parades. If that's the policy of the town of Tuscumbia, organizers forgot to tell a certain candidate for District Judge and his family.

Shoalanda

The New TimesDaily and Us

The twenty-five year reign of the New York Times at our local newspaper is officially at an end. Since the Shelton family has elected to dismiss some of the higher ranking TD staff, we may infer that changes are in store. Many have e-mailed me to ask what changes. To be perfectly candid, I have no idea.

I understand that the NYT did not exercise total control over the local paper; I also understand that it did exercise at least marginal control. This control will now fall into the hands of a North Alabama family. I'm sure many changes will be immediate, while those on a larger scale will be implemented over a longer period of time. The Internet is no replacement for the printed page, and I hope that each of us will give the new TD a place in our daily lives.

That being said, the Internet is the place for rapidly breaking news stories. In our area, the ShoalsInsider does a fantastic job of keeping the public informed on late breaking news and those other topics that the TD has not felt worthy of space.

Similarly, it seems many still do not understand (or want to admit to understanding) the difference between a journalistic effort like the SI and a blog such as Shoalanda Speaks. Blogs are editorial in nature and, while often reporting the news, go much farther in offering opinions on what that news means to a community.

Shoalanda currently boasts around 1,000 unique viewers a week. Anyone may e-mail us (the address is conspicuously posted to the left of this column). So far, of all our readers, only one has sent us a rebuttal statement on any issue that we have covered. We printed the entire statement on the CITY program verbatim and are happy to do the same concerning any other issue. We have also made clear in the past which blogs we are affiliated with and which we simply recommend or showcase. Anyone who claims to find that nebulous is being intentionally obtuse.

If any have doubts as to the agenda of Shoalanda Speaks, let us be as direct as possible. We support:

Local charities which aid and enrich the citizens of the Shoals

Accountability for our tax dollars and elected officials

Accountability for teachers and others who work with our children/teenagers/mentally disabled

The stern and swift punishment of those who abuse women and other innocents in our community

If these are not your goals, may I suggest that they should be. The Shoals will not change without us. Let's make our voices heard.

Shoalanda

The Decatur Daily?

It seems the TimesDaily is in financial trouble. This is not news to many. The subsidiary of the New York Times has been downsizing for months and its sale or demise has been speculated on in several venues. Now it's probable our local paper will be sold to the Decatur Daily.

If the TD should become part of the Sampson family stable, as the Moulton Advertiser did some years ago, what can we expect? If the TD has not been profitable for the New York Times, it will not be a money-maker for anyone else unless some changes are made.

What changes? Indeed, that is the question. Less local news? Perhaps fewer weekly editions? The Moulton Advertiser is not published seven days a week. Albeit, this Lawrence County news bearer reaches a much smaller audience than does our local TD, but in this economic downturn, who knows?

We here at Shoalanda Speaks have always suggested our readers rely to a large degree on the ShoalsInsider for breaking news, as well as for news not commonly reported in the print media. We have also advocated following local and state blogs for similar information.

This is the future, and apparently the future is here now.


What's up with this: On the very day a possible sale of the TimesDaily is announced, the building is evacuated due to strange chemical smells. It certainly does smell.

The TimesDaily Forum

The TimesDaily forum placed second in our favorites poll. For several years, the TD had offered a readers forum online, but in November 2006 the Florence-based newspaper initiated an easier to use model powered by eve, a state-of-the-art program for managing online media. Since that time, the TD forum has grown to over seven thousand registered users. Of course, not all who register contribute regularly to the forum, but on any given day the TD forum will outdo other local venues in its visitor count.

Earlier this year, Elizabeth Hoekenga took over the position of media editor and, with it, the directorship of the forum. Miss Hoekenga has made broad changes in the forum design, not all of them eagerly accepted by forum users. Perhaps it's this reason that the the TD forum placed only second in our poll, but despite user issues, this forum remains the ultimate stop for those interested in pithy political issues, both local and national.

With the large number of users has come censorship issues that some readers have referred to as "draconian." Those who use the TD forum should remember that the newspaper and its parent company, the New York Times, take liability issues seriously. Those who post should also remember to place topics in the appropriate section or return to find them moved at best or deleted at worst.

For all the bureaucracy and user complaints, the TD forum remains the go-to source for much of what's happening in the Shoals. It might not be a fun place, but it is informative.


What's up with this: Let's hope the two new Lauderdale County Commissioners are aware that all floors of the new courthouse annex are illuminated 24 hours a day. If readers see this as a waste, please feel free to contact them and tell them that Shoalanda sent you.