Unless I missed it, which is quite possible, NYTimes.com has changed its business model.
It used to be that if you were registered and logged into your account, you could send anyone the full text of any current article via the e-mail this article functionality. No longer. Now you can only send a link to the article, which, I’m sure, requires the person following that link to <look of shock and horror> register at NYTimes.com in order to access the content.
I suppose I shouldn’t be bitching. I’m still getting the New York Times for free. Wonder when that will change.
They’re wrestling with their business model. They used to sell (and I subscribed to) the headline clipper/search thingie — very useful given the volumes of interesting content they have — while the articles were free.
On some, there’s an interstitial page with an advertisement.
The Wall Street Journal switched their model for forwarding articles to one where the recipient gets a link valid for seven days. No login is required, however. (I wondered how many other people just select “printable” view and paste it in an email sent directly to the recipient?)
In semi-related news, online advertising revenues for America Online are up and their future business model.