I dunno.
The Timesonline is one of my favourite reads. Truly. But they've gone back to a subscription, in answer to the general decay of the news gathering process. You want good stuff, you pay. Here's one of those 'in theory' things. In theory, yes. In practice, damn.
I've long considered that when I open my cable/internet/phone bill each month, and gape at the 190-something dollars it drains from my account (HST just added a little; I believe in that too, so shut up) and I think, "really? all that money so we can watch Mythbusters and Friends re-runs?". And somehow I manage to convince myself that bundling up interests and selling them out as a package makes sense. So when I see the Times wants some coin, I think "bundle it up with a bunch of others, and I'll pay". But to do stand-alone subscriptions is death.
What I really wanted to say was that I was getting all ready to link Jeremy Clarkson's review of the new Rolls-Royce Ghost for you. It ran in the Wheels section of the Star today, but due to constraints of the syndication agreement, the Star can't run it on their site. So, I was helpfully going to link it directly from the Times' site, where it ran a couple of weeks ago. Only I can't. So. There's that.
Why do I care, you ask? Well, it's an awesome review. And I'm going to go drive the new Ghost myself next week, so for once, I could tell you if Jeremy is full of crap, or brilliant. Hint: I'm firmly in the love him camp, and it's a great review. Go buy today's Star. In the meantime, here's the link to the Top Gear review and pics.
And I'll write up my take on the new Rolls next week. Once I get past 'oh, pretty....'
I read Clark's story on the Rolls. What he sees as A Rolls Royce that allows richer people to look down upon the plebian entry level, wealthy I see as a way for RR to make more money by maximising their vertical integration structure. Clark says its a good car but can't get over the fact it's not the top shelf item. My question, would he care so much if not from the UK? Is this a class thing or does he really think the Ghost whould have wool carpets at shaved pile nylon prices? Sounds a bit like a commie to me! LOL
ReplyDeleteI have seen video of the Buggatti Veyron doing 253 mph which, although not driven by Jeremy, is introduced and then extroduced (so it's not a real word. I'm pretty sure you know what I mean) by him. I await the star Wheels section with bated breath every Saturday... first for your article and secondly for his. Yes, in that order. Because I can't get his article online (it's the Scottish blood in me that won't let me pay for it... especially once I've paid for it once in my Wheels section) I am going to save it and compare the two articles once yours is written.
ReplyDeleteShould make for entertaining reading.
You'll love it! In a couple of weeks I'll be scotting around Milton and then an autocross circuit at Downsview in the 2011 Honda CR-Z Hybrid. Bet mine gets better mileage than yours!
ReplyDeleteOne reason I read The Star online is because it was one of the first free online newspapers. The Globe and Mail, at the time, charged and I wasn't interested in paying. I came because it was free, I stayed (in part) because of your column! Maybe if nobody decides the Times is worth paying for, they will go back to ad revenue and stop charging.
ReplyDeleteOzzie,
ReplyDeleteStay off Derry Rd in Milton, I've got it torn up on either end of town.
If you see a survey crew on Steeles, bring iced caps!
DJW
Good to know, DJ. Will bear that in mind.
ReplyDelete