Anyone use Craig's list?

[MacQuarrie]

When I have a vacancy in my triplex, I advertise it on Craigslist, and it's done okay for me. So far only one scammer, and a fairly inept one at that.

[MacQuarrie]

I don't know how it is now, but it used to charge just for job listings. Craig runs a skeletal staff.

Law of Unintended Consequences:

I mean, Craigslist is a damn fine thing, and many of us have done well off it, and it's improved the community no end. But it's also putting small (and indeed large) newspapers out of business. It's not immediately obvious, but many newspapers really rely on small ads (particularly dating and sex small ads) to keep afloat. And Craig's put paid to that.

Oh well.

Oh well, indeed. Nobody has a right to stay in business, and certainly nobody has an obligation to support any given industry. If newspapers want to survive, they might want to start figuring out what business they're actually in, and figuring out what they do better than the competition.

[Deathstroke]

Well I was going to use it to start my prostitution business but now that they are cracking down on that, I'm figuratively screwed.

[Shellhead]

Oh well, indeed. Nobody has a right to stay in business, and certainly nobody has an obligation to support any given industry. If newspapers want to survive, they might want to start figuring out what business they're actually in, and figuring out what they do better than the competition.

You should join in the More Bailouts? discussion here. We're arguing about whether or not the Big Three automakers should get a bailout.

http://forums.comicbookresources.com...d.php?t=245366

[StoneGold]

Oh well, indeed. Nobody has a right to stay in business, and certainly nobody has an obligation to support any given industry. If newspapers want to survive, they might want to start figuring out what business they're actually in, and figuring out what they do better than the competition.

Well, that's part of the problem. What would you rather your newspaper be in the business in - updating your local community on current events, or advertising?

[majamD]

I've used it to sell whatever stuff I have that is too big to ship for ebay. So far, so good.

[MacQuarrie]

Well, that's part of the problem. What would you rather your newspaper be in the business in - updating your local community on current events, or advertising?

I recognize the reality that newspapers have always been primarily in the business of advertising. It's why they exist, it's why they've always existed. I've worked at enough newspapers to know that.

[StoneGold]

I recognize the reality that newspapers have always been primarily in the business of advertising. It's why they exist, it's why they've always existed. I've worked at enough newspapers to know that.

Yeah, but they've generally become truly great when they've ignored that from time to time.

I realize that the news as a purely informational entity is something of a fantasy, but these days, even the fantasy is getting replaced by "is it making money?"

[MacQuarrie]

Yeah, but they've generally become truly great when they've ignored that from time to time.

I realize that the news as a purely informational entity is something of a fantasy, but these days, even the fantasy is getting replaced by "is it making money?"

William Randolph Hearst started the Spanish-American War to sell newspapers and make money.....

[StoneGold]

William Randolph Hearst started the Spanish-American War to sell newspapers and make money.....

Yes, and because Hearst did something means it's a universal condition.

[MacQuarrie]

Yes, and because Hearst did something means it's a universal condition.

No, but it puts the lie to your earlier comment, "....but these days, even the fantasy is getting replaced by "is it making money?""

It's not "these days;" It's "always been."

[darkkeeperjr]

Co-worker of mine uses the list to buy bedroom sets then turn around and sell them at a huge mark up.