Is the Long Tail Killing Paid Online Services?
I have begun to notice a real shift in my online habits… I unsubscribed from Webshots Premium because I find there’s even richer artwork for my desktop (not to mention an array of awesome services) on Flickr. I unsubscribed from Audible because I can get much more interesting spoken word content by downloading podcasts through the iTunes Music Store. I spend much more time reading blogs than I do the Wall Street Journal Online, so I am considering letting my subscription lapse. The Journal put the nail in their own coffin by making the best chunks of their content available for free for bloggers. I still pay for and use Backpack – and I love it, but I also see there are great free alternatives like Tiddlywiki that are getting stronger every day. My frustrations with TypePad’s comment moderation tools and slow performance are encouraging me to take a hard look at WordPress – a free blogging tool. What’s next? I think my T-Mobile Hotspot subscription could be in danger if Google has it
