Is Swimming World online blocking you?

RE: Is Swimming World online blocking you?

Former Member — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 13:19:45 GMT

Swimswam is soooo much better than swimmingworld! It is not even close now. They get ahold of news faster, and they get more of it. They get more high profile interviews. Garrett is the best person in front of the camera that swimming has.

RE: Is Swimming World online blocking you?

smontanaro — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 11:23:52 GMT

I was referring specifically to NYT workarounds and "just say no" to the Wall Street Journal (whose editorial positions are completely counter to most of my positions anyway, so I would never give them my $$). News outlets like the NYT and its ilk have far too many competitors for them to pretend that they offer something so unique that many/most users will pay for the content. They have to find some other way to make their nut each month. I don't have a problem with SW charging for their content, though it will have to provide fairly unique editorial and reporting content to make it. There's no reason to use them for objective stats like meet results. Also, I was honestly unaware of their monthly free download limit. I've never used the SW site enough to bump into it. Skip

RE: Is Swimming World online blocking you?

FindingMyInnerFish — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 09:35:00 GMT

Must admit that I do use the work-around for NYT of "liking" it on FB and then clicking on the links there. They don't seem to "count" even after I've viewed my ten articles. And yet I can understand where Brian Stack is coming from. Niche magazines/newspapers in particular deserve the support. Also, I'm a free-lancer (not for SW, although I'm willing if they have a check for me). ;) And the problem with free content is that often newspapers have laid off so many writers that the market for our services gets more and more competitive, while pay is harder to come by. (So many craigslist ads for "writing gigs" that say, "no pay but looks great on your resume": nice, but I also like things to look great in my wallet.) All of which makes me rethink my approach to the NYT. Without writers, there is no content. And as the scriptural saying goes, "the laborer is worthy of wage."

RE: Is Swimming World online blocking you?

Former Member — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 05:44:43 GMT

If they want an unique voice, they should hire Jim Thornton and give him free rein. Just imagine what sort of swimsuit issue he could produce...

RE: Is Swimming World online blocking you?

Jim Clemmons — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 02:39:20 GMT

...and "just say no" to the Wall Street Journal (whose editorial positions are completely counter to most of my positions anyway, so I would never give them my $$). Skip :rolleyes: ... :mooning:

RE: Is Swimming World online blocking you?

knelson — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 02:28:38 GMT

Prior to the internet all content came at a cost, unless you went to your local library. Now with the internet and "free" content newspapers and magazines are disappearing at an amazing rate. That's the new world order and there's nothing that going to change it. Another decade and virtually all print media will have gone the way of the dinosaur.

RE: Is Swimming World online blocking you?

Former Member — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 15:29:50 GMT

If you have IE8 or 9, try going to a "inprivate" browsing session and see if you can access the site again from within that browser window. I get around newspaper "5 free articles only" nag screens with this workaround, lol. Unethical, maybe but it works.

RE: Is Swimming World online blocking you?

Former Member — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 15:19:42 GMT

I believe Swimming World has had premium subscription for a number of years, with some content provided for free and some provided at a fee. That's right, but now the entire site is inaccessible.

RE: Is Swimming World online blocking you?

Former Member — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 13:52:08 GMT

I can access Swimming World just fine. As the message said you have likely reached the monthly limit of “free content”. As a suggestion, if you like www.swimmingworldmagazine.com then you may wish to subscribe. For $40/year you get the magazine and complete access to their content. Brent, Jason and the entire SW staff do a phenomenal job of informing our swimming community. Our subscriptions allow them to continue this service. It's been a free site for years. I'm a little suspicious that a few days before the trials they require a subscription to enter.

RE: Is Swimming World online blocking you?

Rob Copeland — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 10:30:25 GMT

It's been a free site for years.I believe Swimming World has had premium subscription for a number of years, with some content provided for free and some provided at a fee.

RE: Is Swimming World online blocking you?

Former Member — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 10:13:33 GMT

Outside of porn and dating sites, has there ever been a successful website that required viewers to pay to access unlimited content? I think SW is shooting themselves in the foot. I really like John Lohn's observations and I will miss the semi-insane article comments by those who even more obsessed with the sport than I am, but I'm not paying $40 a year to find out Phelps/Lochte splits when I can get them for free by simply going to a myriad of other sites.

RE: Is Swimming World online blocking you?

Former Member — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 10:04:52 GMT

Switch to www.swimswam.com for lots of great swimming coverage. Thanks- Mel rocks!

RE: Is Swimming World online blocking you?

Rob Copeland — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 08:41:51 GMT

RE: Is Swimming World online blocking you?

Former Member — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 06:28:25 GMT

Outside of porn and dating sites, has there ever been a successful website that required viewers to pay to access unlimited content? The New York Times is now limiting access and requiring a subscription if a viewer goes beyond a certain number of articles per month.

RE: Is Swimming World online blocking you?

Brian Stack — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 06:15:05 GMT

The NYT restriction is fairly easy to get around. I have a computer at work, a laptop, and an Android phone. WSJ: Just say, "no"... Prior to the internet all content came at a cost, unless you went to your local library. Now with the internet and "free" content newspapers and magazines are disappearing at an amazing rate. Swimming magazines were never hot sellers, there's a reason only Swimming World remains. If swimmers don't support them they too will disappear. Here's what SW offers for $39.95 annually: News Channels: We offer 10 exclusive content areas for those that want to access High School, USA News, College, Masters, World, Synchro, Diving, Water Polo, Open Water or Industry News. Results and Records: Readers can access results and records from every level of swimming including High School, College, Olympic and World Records. Rankings: Current rankings, including All-Time Rankings, National & International, College, High School and Age Group Rankings TV Shows and Events: Thousands come to our site each day to watch our Morning Swim Show, Streamlined News, Performance of the Week, and our Popular Polls. Our Event Race Videos have no industry equal. And you get the print magazine. Swim Swam and the other swimming blogs are great but they can't compete with the amount of coverage that SW provides all for less than a USMS membership. Chip in for what you want to use or don't the choice is yours, but griping about having to pay for someone else's hard work, well . . .

RE: Is Swimming World online blocking you?

Former Member — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 05:45:05 GMT

Switch to www.swimswam.com for lots of great swimming coverage.

RE: Is Swimming World online blocking you?

smontanaro — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 03:37:41 GMT

The NYT restriction is fairly easy to get around. I have a computer at work, a laptop, and an Android phone. WSJ: Just say, "no"...

RE: Is Swimming World online blocking you?

Jim Clemmons — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 03:34:50 GMT

The New York Times is now limiting access and requiring a subscription if a viewer goes beyond a certain number of articles per month. Wall Street Journal is now fee ($) only, I believe.

RE: Is Swimming World online blocking you?

smontanaro — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 02:18:43 GMT

Newspapers keep trying with little or no success...

RE: Is Swimming World online blocking you?

knelson — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 02:06:57 GMT

Outside of porn and dating sites, has there ever been a successful website that required viewers to pay to access unlimited content?

RE: Is Swimming World online blocking you?

Rob Copeland — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 01:34:04 GMT

If you have IE8 or 9, try going to a "inprivate" browsing session ... Unethical, maybe but it works.Or it may be as simple as deleting a cookie.