How to start and publish an independent Newspaper

Free Republic ^ | 09/21/2003 | Chad Fairbanks

[Chad Fairbanks]

LOL

Some of the concepts in these Xerox editors have been incorporated into editors running on more reasonably named operating systems-- EMACS and VI being two. The problem with these editors is that Real Programmers consider "what you see is what you get" to be just as bad a concept in Text Editors as it is in Women. No, the Real Programmer wants a "you asked for it, you got it" text editor-- complicated, cryptic, powerful, unforgiving, dangerous. TECO, to be precise.

[CyberCowboy777]

My father is a Real Programmer and that actually brought back memories! LOL!

I am just a lowly Network/Hardware Guy.

My software development consists of batch files and scripts to make my Microsoft world easier to live in.

The paper mills we work for give us the most exposure to outside 'retail' stuff. We support an AS/400 software package and manage/support a Custom package running on a Stratus.

[Chad Fairbanks]

I'm often called a 'cowboy', or more accurately, a 'loose cannon'... I'm actually thinking of asking to have my job title and business cards changed to read "Loose Cannon"...

[CyberCowboy777]

The PC term is 'Creative'.

[Chad Fairbanks]

LOL...

[GSWarrior]

There are MANY jobs (professions, really) that Chad has to learn: how to write, edit, proofread, do layout, design, write headlines, do the typesetting, sell advertising, do distribution, the bookkeeping, taxes, and running the office and warehousing stuff. This also doesn't include the time to research, study and think-through what you're writing about.

Give me five people, including myself, and I could give you a very nice, 20-24 page monthly newspaper. One person for the billing, business end, etc. One editor/production manager/delivery person; an editorial assistant; and two salespeople. Most writers would be on a free-lance basis. Don't need an office or a warehouse. We'll print up 15,000 copies to start.

I personally could do the first 7 things you listed above. Not that I'd want to.

[CyberCowboy777]

Like the PC term for an a$$hole is “interesting character”.

"He is a....ummm....interesting character."

[Chad Fairbanks]

That explains.. an awful lot...

[CyberCowboy777]

hehehe

[CaptBlack]

What about a website?

Cheaper and easier to produce and probably would reach more folks.

[eleni121]

I am amazed at the timing of your post. As I was leaving the college where I teach today I noticed (again as I do every week) several rags - the Federalist (LaRouche's rag), the Socialist Workers publication, and another one - all very very left of center. They are dropped off on a weekly basis and students can pick them up and read them. Never never have I seen one conservative paper that is available free of charge.

Is there any such paper? Does anyone know where I could find something like that? The availablity of these left wing trashy papers influences many many minds---especially those who are just waiting to be influenced.

[holyscroller]

"I personally could do the first 7 things you listed above. Not that I'd want to."

That's the problem GW. Sounds like half the folk on here are old experienced newspaper people. The problem is, we all know how much work this is, and when the time comes, none of will want to take it on. Whoever takes this on had better have a pretty big whip.

[Chad Fairbanks]

That is under consideration... :0) Small. Small is the key right now :)

[Chad Fairbanks]

The problem is, we all know how much work this is, and when the time comes, none of will want to take it on

Please don't take this as a criticism of you, because it's not intended that way, but I just want to say that what you wrote above is a common problem in any topic or project, not just this one :0(

[GSWarrior]

You really have to be dedicated and love that type of work to succeed. You certainly won't get rich.
I'm not willing to put up my own money for that. If I had enough extra money, however, I would likely be involved in some sort of publishing. My professional training was as a journalist, in the Marine Corps, actually.

[jennyp]

Please don't take this as a criticism of you, because it's not intended that way, but I just want to say that what you wrote above is a common problem in any topic or project, not just this one :0(

I was editor of the Washington Libertarian for a few issues back in 1993. I took it from an 8 1/2x11 format to 8-page tabloid, where it stayed for about a year IIRC (a few months after I stepped down). I thought of it as the closest thing the Washington LP had to "mass media exposure". I had visions of turning it into an independent news-monthly, similar to what you're describing.

I think the biggest limiting factor for a project like this is in getting your employees/collaborators to consistently carry out their commitments. Delegating responsibility is the secret to making something like this work - and yet it's the achilles heel as well.

So - that pretty much rules out a volunteer organization. You must raise enough seed capital to be able to hire the core group of essential personnel as bona-fide, paid employees. Even if the pay isn't much, ideally these people would be relying on their paychecks from this company. It's a weird psychological block that people have, IMO, but if they're volunteers who made a verbal commitment to perform an ongoing job, it always ends up at the bottom of their personal priorities when crunch time comes. (If not in the first month, then after the initial excitement has died down.)

If you structure it as a corporation, maybe enough Freepers from around the country would buy into it to fund a well-capitalized operation. Especially if it helps spawn other similar ventures in other parts of the country.

[apackof2]

Some things ARE worth fighting for BUMP!

[Chad Fairbanks]

Well, I've gotten FReepmail from others around the country who are now at least considering doing something like this locally, based on this thread - which is a good thing.

I guess the bottom line is for me to put together a really great plan, and go from there...

I thank you for your comments - they are appreciated very much :0)

[Chad Fairbanks]

Thanks!

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet: The Armadillo Times! LOL

: ) Psst. I don't think Chad likes it. He said he did, but I think he was just being polite - kind of a little pat on the head.