Who Gives an Eff About DFW.com?
by Steve SmithI’m kind of tired of writing about things related to the Star-Telegram because it seems like piling on, but here’s one more just because it’s impossible to ignore.
Last week, the DFW.com Ink Edition hit newsstands around town with promises to be, according to the press release that found its way to my inbox, “a cutting-edge complement to the entertainment and lifestyle news now showcased on DFW.com . . . but in the accessible, carry-on newspaper format beloved by coffee drinkers and office workers for generations.”
However, my initial thought was, “Who gives a fuck?” Because this is teh Internets, and I have few standards to go along with my vulgar mind, I can type that without compunction. And, yes, it feels good to type as you think it does. My second thought was why the Star-Telegram believes that staring in the face of extinction — a crisis that most believe is driven by the aforementioned Internets — they see fit to launch another print advertising vehicle. It doesn’t seem to really address the problem, does it? The few timesI’ve tried to use DFW.com, I found it to be kind of janky — it needs work in the user experience department. If the Star-Telegram really wants to be innovative, I would suggest building a less sucky website. A little free consulting for you, Gary Wortel.
And that’s about all I thought about Ink Edition until I caught wind of this little controversy somewhere in the Inter-Twitter-sphere — seems that some people are shocked that the S-T thought it was a good idea to publish a segment in Ink Edition called Three people we want to eff this week.
Sure, it’s a lot closer to Perez Hilton than Amon Carter, but is this really a dagger in the throat of journalistic integrity in Fort Worth? I don’t think so, but I also dropped an f-bomb back in the third graf. Besides, the Ink Edition is hardly the op-ed page. Pushing the envelope a little actually seems like a good idea, but is it well executed? Meh.
To me, the biggest problem with this list is popping Keith Urban and Madonna in the top two spots. Wow … that’s so Us Weekly. And then “you dear reader” at No. 3? That’s so obsequious that I think I just threw up a little in my mouth.
But the question remains — is Ink Edition a good idea for the Star-Telegram? At this point, I guess, why the eff not? It’s kind of like emptying out the junk drawer looking for a make-do part to save a trip to the hardware store. You know it’s pointless, but — hey, that duct tape just might work.
What do you think? Edgy and cool? Ill-conceived? Irrelevant?
Tags: star-telegram
16 Comments, Comments or Pings
jacko
Probably the same people who care about this: http://westandclear.com/2009/03/26/360-west-magazine-hits-fort-worth-scene/
Apr 6th, 2009
jlt
I use foul language quite a bit, and I don’t consider myself easily offended in everyday life. I did find this particular DFW.com piece, http://www.dfw.com/104/story/105219.html, very offensive for its absolutely over-the-line headline and subhead. For those who don’t want to click the link, it reads: “I’m not a sushi virgin any more, A sushi virgin pops his cherry at Sushi Axiom in Fort Worth, and lives to tell about it.”
Pops his cherry? Really? Who do they think would read that and find that humorous? It’s repulsive. If by using some risque language they believe they’re connecting with a younger generation I have news: I’m 25 and I find myself increasingly less interested in your blatant, amateur copy of Guidelive.com
Apr 6th, 2009
Austin
Seems a little USA Todayish, and I am not shy on my feelings for them. Perhaps the question should be, Is this a cheapening of ST journalism?
No doubt they should be spending their time figuring out how better to navigate the insolvent waters of modern print media.
On another note, the AP is fighting Google and HuffingtonPost.
I understand that they want their fair share of revenues generated, but it goes against the online grain. Seems a little to similar to the RIAA suing their customers. I mean. Google and Drudge drive traffic. Big traffic. AP want their cake, and half the icing.
It’s just another case of “you are failing because aren’t competing intelligently”.
Apr 6th, 2009
Richie Escovedo
I agree with you Steve, this was and is in poor taste. It is actually quite sad that they feel this is how the S-T will remain relevant. Thanks for sharing.
Apr 6th, 2009
Sonja
Um, well you could look at this a number of ways, and I think the simplist is they want to out-weekly our FW Weekly … and look, they have gotten some exposure. Here I, who had zero interest in reading the DFW.com print thing before, now 1) know that it exists and 2) have some moderate curiousity about who these crass @#$#%^ are anyway. And let’s face it, in the modern media climate, crassness often sells.
There are some who say we are dividing into two Americas, and when you translate that to the media, perhaps the blogs are the highbrows. Strange thought, but nothing I’ve seen while blogging belies it.
Apr 7th, 2009
Kris
Sonja, do you think they will “out-weekly” the Weekly? I cannot see the similarities (especially Editorially) other than printing once a week.
Apr 8th, 2009
Francis
I like the paper in newspaper . . but . . . since I have been out of town for a while I would have enjoyed an online version of the newspaper that was actually readable or usable. It isn’t and I never go there. I get my local news from blogs.
Why can’t the S-T people look at other working models of online newspapers and adopt/steal ideas?
The S-T online is the worst excuse for news I have seen in a local paper. I challenge any one to navigate its topics bar that drops down a detail list and get it on the first try.
The video only bogs everything down. It’s godawful. (my version of the f-bomb)
DFW.com is not much better. Actually, they are equally bad.
Apr 8th, 2009
Sonja
Kris, I do not think their plot to “out-weekly” the Fort Worth Weekly is going to succeed. The similaries between the two journals would be, caters to a younger, more in-your-face kind of crowd, a lot of energy on dating, entertainment and clubs.
Apr 9th, 2009
Tom
I guess they’re trying to launch a version of AH Belo’s Quick in the Fort. But even Quick isn’t what it used to be.
Apr 13th, 2009
Kris
I will bet Quick will fold within 2 months. No ads + no employees = No more money from Papa Belo. Sail on. This is not the best model for Star T to follow right now. If it was Belo would keep it around.
Apr 13th, 2009
Just wondering?
What about the Meadowbrook News, do you like it……..?
Apr 13th, 2009
chinese boomerang
Just had my first encounter with DFW.com Ink Edition yesterday. First thought – much less drab than the FW Weekly. “Smarter” layout and graphics. Maybe the eye candy will get tiring after a few reads?
Second thing that came to mind was – that West & Clear should be thrilled with DFW.Com IE. And this IS the part that is already tiring after one read. It’s like the inane liberal contingent of the Star Telegram let out to play. I mean, there you have the 13 year old girl petulance of John Metz straight from the DaFoWo show. The “impossible to write a review without inserting biased liberal political take” writing of Chis Kelly and an insane article from a writer named Abbie Kopf in her “Pay It Backward” column where she advocates mandatory or forced volunteerism(?) by the federal government of Americans.
In the same way Obama’s “shiny happy” and pretty words will wear off to reveal his bankrupt (literally) ideas, DFW.Com’s bright splashy pages will get old fast. At least the FW Weekly is honest in it’s depressing presentation. But isn’t it liberalism (read unintelligent / unwise thinking) anyway that is killing print journalism?
Why yes, it is.
Apr 18th, 2009
jlt
You know, Chinese Boomerang, you criticize Chris Kelly for throwing his “biased liberal political take” into articles when unnecessary, and then you throw your own biased conservative take into a post that has nothing to do with President Obama and his economic policies. We’re talking about DFW.com, not your take on politics.
You, sir, are the pot calling the kettle black.
Apr 18th, 2009
chinese boomerang
Actually JLT no!
I’m explaining why West & Clear should be THRILLED! with (or give an “eff”for) DFW.Com in that it’s another Liberal outlet. W&C should be cheering not jeering.
Any competition or jealousy between W&C / DFW.com / FW Weekly should be sacrificed for the greater good … Right? Liberals being the great preachers of “sacrifice.”
Apr 18th, 2009
jlt
What on earth… ? I have no idea what you’re talking about now. If you read Steve’s post and following comments, we’re talking about how DFW.com’s drop to the lowest-common denominator to attract readers – Madonna’s adoption efforts, crude language, sex columns…
Why that qualifies as liberal to you is beyond me. How is celebrity gossip liberal?
You brought up Obama because you’re just itching to shout your opinion even if it has nothing to do with the topic at hand. Explain to me how the FWWeekly’s counterculture mantra is similar to DFW.com or West & Clear – and why they’re all liberal outlets.
Apr 18th, 2009
Reply to “Who Gives an Eff About DFW.com?”
By posting your comment, you agree to abide by the terms of the West and Clear comment policy.