Category: Life

My interest, yes; my money, not yet

So, as nearly everyone in the blogosphere has already reported, Amazon announced the Kindle today — their attempt at reinventing reading.

I read Steven Levy’s Newsweek story over the weekend, and I must admit to being intrigued by the possibilities. And if I were doing a lot of flying, I’d be even more intrigued — the idea of having many books with me but only carrying one item is very appealing.

But I’m not flying much these days (with any luck at all, no more this year). And I’ve paid the early adopter’s price once this year already.

So I think I’ll wait for the next episode in this movie — but if you feel like giving it a shot, feel free to click the link above to order!

Another paper cut at the Merc

When I brought in this morning’s Merc, I noticed that the Sunday comics looked a little different. But I don’t read tomorrow’s paper until I’ve finished today’s, so I thought no more about it.

But there was a front-page box and a full-page announcement in today’s paper telling readers that, to conserve paper, the Sunday comics were being cut to four pages and many comics (including several of our favorites) were being relegated to online-only as of now.

I think it’s time for the Merc to consider changing its business model and reconstituting itself as “Public Merc”, supported by donations from readers, augmented by major sponsors like Fry’s, Macy’s, and Western Appliance. It can’t be much less effective than what’s happening now, can it?