Paul Ford on TimesSelect

Paul Ford’s astute and optimistic take on The New York Times’s plan to start charging $50/year for web access to some of their content. My big question that I haven’t seen answered anywhere is whether this content will be ad-free, like when you pay extra for HBO, or whether you’re still stuck with web ads. I read The Times op-ed page every day, so I’m leaning toward paying, but if they’re still going to put large animated ads in my face, that might keep me from coughing up the dough.

★ Sunday, 22 May 2005