Boston Globe to launch paid website, BostonGlobe.com next year

Breaking news this morning on the Boston media front.

Boston Globe publisher Christopher M. Mayer announced today that the company will launch a new paid-subscription website, BostonGlobe.com during the second half of 2011.

The site will offer content in the Globe's daily print edition.

Boston.com will remain free.

This is definitely an interesting strategy and if everything goes according to plan revenue wise, it's a direction that other newspapers could follow suit in.

A lot of papers are currently pursing the online subscription fee, however this is a little bit different, since Boston.com and The Boston Globe are technically separate, but right now used as one site to promote all of its news and stories (exactly like The Republican in Springfield, Mass. and its online home MassLive.com).

"Our research shows that Boston.com currently attracts several different types of users. Some are readers whose main interest is breaking news and things to do, while others want access to the entirety of The Boston Globe,” Mayer said. “These two distinct sites will allow us to serve both types of readers with maximum effectiveness, while continuing to provide advertisers the large engaged audience they have come to expect from Boston.com.”

The New York Times, which owns the Globe, plans to charge readers of NYTimes.com next year as well.

The Worcester Telegram & Gazette, which is also owned by the Times Company started charging a fee for readers last month on its site, Telegram.com.

Sooner or later, we knew this would be coming.

Red Sox weekly recap (Week 25)

Sunday September 19, 2010 - Saturday September 25, 2010

Weekly record: 4-2
Overall record: 86-68
AL East standing: 3rd, 7.0 games behind Tampa Bay
AL Wild Card standing: 2nd, 5.5 games behind New York
Runs scored: 32
Opponents' runs scored: 25
Home runs: 8; Victor Martinez (2), J.D. Drew (2), David Ortiz, Josh Reddick, Jed Lowrie, Bill Hall
Team leader (HR): Ortiz (31)
Team leader (RBI): Beltre (99)
Games left: 8
Weeks left: 1.1
Week 25 in 2009

Red Sox weekly recap (Week 24)

Sunday September 12, 2010 - Saturday September 18, 2010

Weekly record: 4-2
Overall record: 82-66
AL East standing: 3rd, 8.0 games behind New York
AL Wild Card standing: 2nd, 7.5 behind Tampa Bay
Runs scored: 36
Opponents' runs scored: 26
Home runs: 6; Jed Lowrie (2), Victor Martinez (2), David Ortiz, Adrian Beltre
Team leader (HR): Ortiz (30)
Team leader (RBI): Beltre (98)
Games left: 14
Weeks left: 2.1
Week 24 in 2009

College newspapers: Mizzou columnist now realizes the dangers of iPods

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::NEWSFLASH:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

This just in: iPods are causing hearing loss in young adults.

For real? Wow, I didn't know that. I mean, it's only been reported on the news since 2005.

I'm sorry, but this isn't anything new.

The Maneater's Chris Gu wrote a column today entitled, "Column: iPods: Hearing hazard?"

In the column he first talks about his freshman year dating back to 2004.

2004? That was six years ago, going onto seven. What's up with this kid still in school?

I can understand if he was going straight through for his master's, but that's usually a six-year plan (if he didn't take any breaks in between). Perhaps his PhD in journalism? That's possible I guess since that is now the lowest requirement to even teach journalism (at a college). We can only hop I guess, or not.

Anyway I'm getting off the subject. Continuing...

Here an insert his column that I found to be intriguing:

"Surveys have revealed the average college student listens to MP3 players for one to three hours every day, most often during exercise or while walking to class. Most students report using the factory-issued iPod earbuds and listen to music at a "medium" volume.

"Although these findings may not seem alarming, the inherent design of iPods and the environment in which they are used might increase potential risk of hearing impairment. The iPod's long battery life allows users to listen to music for an almost unlimited amount of time and the factory earbuds do not block out ambient noise. This inability to cancel out unwanted noise is often compensated by users increasing the volume of the device while walking to campus, riding the bus or exercising at the gym. In addition, a significant percent of students reported using their iPods while driving a car (18 percent) or riding a bike (39 percent), activities in which reduced awareness of what's going on around them could result in serious accidents."

For one thing, you should not be listening to your iPod while driving your car. We live in an age that newer cards now have adapters and bluetooth technology to sync your iPod and play it through your stereo. If you're not blessed with a newer vehicle you can even buy adapters to plug into the cigarette lighter.

Chu reports this, but instead of blasting people for listening to their iPods while driving he offers tips.

Tips!?!?!?!??!?!?!!?!?!?

"Be aware that using MP3 players in loud environments can cause listeners to increase the volume subconsciously and might increase the risk of accidents when driving or riding a bike."

Of course it'll increase accidents because you can't hear anything else going on around you! You wouldn't be able to hear the police car, ambulance, a person yelling at you for almost hitting them on the crosswalk because you had Miley Cyrus blasting in your ears.

That's amazing.

How about this, ditch the ear buds and buy noise canceling headphones so you don't have to blast it in your ear so you end up wearing hearing aids by the time you turn 30.

But really nice column.

Red Sox weekly recap (Week 23)

Sunday September 5, 2010 - Saturday September 11, 2010

Weekly record: 2-4
Overall record: 78-64
AL East standing: 3rd, 9.0 games behind New York
AL Wild Card standing: T-2nd with Chicago, 8.5 games behind Tampa Bay
Runs scored: 36
Opponents' runs scored: 40
Home runs: 11; Marco Scutaro (3), David Ortiz (2), Adrian Beltre (2), Victor Martinez (2), Ryan Kalish, Darnell McDonald
Team leader (HR): Ortiz (29)
Team leader (RBI): Beltre (96)
Games left: 20
Weeks left: 3.1
Week 23 in 2009

College newspapers: ASU columnist schools Justin Bieber

I haven't done one of these in a while.

If you're a regular to the blog, you know that I like to write about the college newspaper scene, since I am an editor-in-chief alumni myself.

Thanks to the power of Twitter and my compiled 'college-newspapers' list, I found this on my feed and found it to be intriguing.

Dustin Volz of the Arizona State, State Press wrote a piece about Justin Bieber criticizing his fans entitled, "Bieber Breakdown".

"I’m writing about Bieber because I came across what is possibly one of the funniest online news headlines.

'Justin Bieber wants fans to stop screaming,' it read.

I had to click.

I was, frankly, worried for the teen sensation. Maybe he suddenly developed a serious hearing problem, I thought. Or maybe he wants his fans to give a moment of silence to honor something or someone modestly important. This could be real news.

No such luck. Bieber’s just sick and tired of hysterical fans losing any shred of dignity around him. He can’t take it anymore. He’s fed up with them and just wants to have a normal life, apparently."

What? Justin Bieber is "fed up?" What did you expect Mr. 16-year-old teen sensation? There is a price you pay for being a star. You officially cannot have a normal life anymore and that's the unfortunate reality of it.

“And don’t come up to me while I’m eating,” Bieber told his fans via Teen Vogue magazine. “How would you like it if I came into your house and started taking pictures of you while you were eating? I hate that.”

Don't go up to him while he's eating Bieber maniacs! Geez, let the man eat his flipping McDonald's Big Mac and fries.

Volz joked with this remark,

"First off, I doubt fans — as loony as many may be — are breaking into Justin’s house and taking photos of him sipping juice at the breakfast table. He doesn’t live in Huntsville, Ala."

And it gets even better. Bieber claims he shops at Walmart. I guess it's possible, but dude, talk about sticking out like a glass of Mountain Dew surrounded by water.

"Okay, two more things. I’m skeptical Bieber shops at Wal-Mart. This is the same kid who unseated Lady Gaga for the title of having the most-viewed YouTube video of all time. The same kid who uses 3 percent of Twitter resources at any given moment, according to Gizmodo. He’s pals with Usher and Kanye — they wouldn’t allow bargain-bin shopping for their hip-hopper-in-training."

I highly suggest you head over and check out the full read. Sorry Justin, but that's what happens when you're super famous at a young age because more than likely 99.9% of your fan base is going to be crazy teenage girls. Just do what everyone else does and disguise yourself or just don't go to Walmart anymore.

Good work State Press, except for one minor thing I just noticed. I believe it's spelled Walmart, not Wal-Mart (according to its website).

Sox sock the Rays; Kalish = high expectations

Ryan Kalish blasts his second grand slam of the season. AP photo

It's always nice to see the Red Sox kick the snuffing out of the Rays.

Despite Boston being 9.0 games back in the AL East and 6.5 out in the Wild Card (behind the White Sox), the season isn't over. I mean it'd still take a miracle for the Sox to make the playoffs, but it doesn't mean we as fans shouldn't be entertained.

Ryan Kalish officially has high expectations to follow for the 2011 season.

The rookie pounded his second grand slam of the season in a 12-5 win over the Rays last night.

David Ortiz (28) and Adrian Beltre (26) also went deep for Boston.

More than likely, these next two games at Fenway will be the last time these two teams square off for the 2010 season. It'd be nice to go out with a bang. At the same time the Red Sox are (dare I say it) helping the New York Yankees.

Yup, the Yankees are holding on to a 2.5 game advantage in the East, but do we really care about that right now? The Yankees will win the division there's no question, so why not screw with Tampa?

Tonight it's David Price vs. Daisuke Matsuzaka on the mound for a 7:10 p.m. start.

Come on Red Sox, you got nothing to lose.

Red Sox weekly recap (Week 22)

Sunday August 29, 2010 - Saturday September 4, 2010

Weekly record: 2-4
Overall record: 76-60
AL East standing: 3rd, 10.0 games behind New York
Runs scored: 22
Opponents' runs scored: 26
Home runs: 5; Adrian Beltre (2), Jed Lowrie, Marco Scutaro, J.D. Drew
Team leader (HR): David Ortiz (27)
Team leader (RBI): Beltre (92)
Games left: 26
Weeks left: 4.1
Week 22 in 2009

Ding dong, the Sox are done.

Daniel Nava's grand slam against the Phillies. (AP Photo)

It's 2006 all over again.

But the difference is that the Red Sox find themselves ridiculously behind the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays.

Now at 8.0 games back in the AL East and 7.0 in the Wild Card (trailing the Rays) it's safe to say it's over.

The 15-13 August record wasn't enough to keep pace of two teams that simply won't quit.

Mathematically, Boston is still in it. But so are the Toronto Blue Jays (69-63). The Baltimore Orioles (who the Red Sox for some reason can't beat to save their lives) are officially out of it with a 49-83 record.

The 2010 season was just a mess right from the beginning. And it's unfortunate.

Of course this is the same season that Clay Buchholz outgrew his shell and is dominating on the mound.

This is the same season that off-season signing Adrian Beltre replaced Jason Bay's missing bat.

And this is the same season that David Ortiz revived himself and was now feared again at the plate.

But this is also the same season that Boston lost Jacoby Ellsbury for pretty much the season, and Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis soon followed.

And to top it all off, for some reason Josh Beckett and John Lackey decided to become two biggest 1-2 pitching combo busts in the league.

The bad clearly outweighed the good, but the 2010 season wasn't all a waste.

Darnell McDonald.
Daniel Nava.
Ryan Kalish.

Nava and Kalish give the 2011 club future hope and excitement. The phrase, 'wait til next year' is of course old and overused news to Red Sox fans, but there are bright sides.

The Rays are going to run into salary and signing issues as they want to lower the current $72 million to around $60 million. This forces them to wave good-bye to either Carlos Pena or Carl Crawford.

The Yankees aren't getting any younger, which means Mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter aren't either.

Jeter's numbers have diminished and there's talk about what's going to happen after this season. He's going to have to take a massive pay cut, as he currently makes $22.6 million, ranking him third on the team behind Alex Rodriguez ($33 million) and CC Sabathia ($24.3 million).

So all in all this is the beginning of the end of the 2010 season. No matter what other 'experts' are saying, mentally this team isn't in it and Theo Epstein needs to start prepping for 2011. What he really needs to do is to persuade Beltre to stay.

That'll take a miracle.