Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/58364
Editor's Journal The fine print Embracing change is more enjoyable than we often like to admit I recently had a friendly debate with a younger co-worker about print vs. online editorial. His argument was that every- thing is going digital. "Bah hum- bug," summed up my response. Being an old newspaper guy, I admit that I can be a real pain when it comes to change. It's just part of our nature to be cyni- cal about just about everything new. Not so long ago, I swore to another friend that there was no way digital photos were going to replace film within the next decade. Can you still buy film? I also have made passionate arguments that newspapers won't disappear in my lifetime. While I still believe a few large news- papers and a decent number of community newspapers will con- tinue to publish for the foresee- able future, we all have witnessed the demise of a growing list of weeklies and dailies. Then in the middle of my stubborn rant, I suddenly real- ized I probably hadn't picked up more than a handful of news- papers in the past two years. Oh, I still read my local paper and some national publica- tions, but I rarely soil my hands with newsprint. By the time the newspaper is placed in the rack, I have already read almost every- thing that's in it online. When I look at the headlines on paper, they seem like yester- day's news. I guess even at my old age of 46, I have evolved farther into the digital age than I care to admit until cornered in a lively debate. To my defense, when I want to read more in-depth pieces 6 | TRUCKERS NEWS | APRIL 2012 or when I want to read something for entertainment, it's usually a magazine I pick up. But for quick information, I click away with the grow- ing crowd of gotta-have-it-now online users. Last year, I spoke to a journal- ism class at the University of Ala- bama, my alma mater. I asked the students how they receive news. While they listed a hodgepodge of places, almost all were online. Honestly, the generation gap isn't as wide as you might think. Many of Truckers News' loyal readers are regular visitors to our website as well as active on our social media offerings. I have come to appreciate the instant interaction of our Facebook site. I can talk to drivers and get im- mediate feedback about issues, which often makes my job easier. Recently, I have taken over the evening postings on the Truckers News Facebook page and have enjoyed reading your comments. Some are insightful and others are just downright entertain- ing. If you're not already a fan, I encourage you to join. It's a great way to share information and get to know each other in a more personal way. While I've done a good job of convincing my friend that I'm an old curmudgeon hopelessly lost in the Dark Ages, I'm actually developing a pretty good com- puter tan. Randy Grider is editor of . Write him at rgrider@randallreilly.com. VOLUME 36 | ISSUE 4 WWW.TRUCKERSNEWS.COM Toll Free: (800) 633-5953 Editorial Fax: (205) 750-8070 or Email: tneditorial@rrpub.com Sales Fax: (205) 349-6359 or Email: lmagner@rrpub.com EDITORIAL Editor-in-Chief: Randy Grider Editorial Director: Max Heine Executive Editor: Jack Roberts Senior Editors: Todd Dills, Max Kvidera Managing Editor: Kathleen Buccleugh Equipment Editor: John Baxter Associate Editor: James Jaillet Contributing Editors: Kay Bell, Jill Dunn, Carolyn Magner, Sean Randall Executive Director, Research & Analysis: Avery Vise Manager, e-media editorial: Marlin Caddell DESIGN & PRODUCTION Art Director: David Watson Production Designers: Kenneth Stubbs, Timothy Smith Senior Media Manager: Patti Clark Senior Production Director: Mary Springer Distribution Manager: David Rucker BUSINESS VP, Trucking Sales: Brad Holthaus VP, Trucking Media Operations: Stacy McCants VP, Events: Alan Sims Executive Director of Sales: Chip Magner Account Executives: Brent Hutto, Tommy Belk, David Wilkinson, Steve Miller, Wes Turner, John Causey, Jeff Campbell, Richard Hinton Director of Media Operations: Emily Larson Marketing Manager: Cameron Kizzire Director of Interactive Marketing: Kyle Jernigan Media Controller: Terry Browning Circulation: Julie Puckett, Kelli Kitchens CORPORATE Chairman, CEO: Mike Reilly President: Brent Reilly Chief Administrative Officer: David Wright Chief Process Officer: Shane Elmore Senior VP, Trucking: Jeff Mason Senior VP, Editorial & Research: Linda Longton Senior VP, Acquisitions & Business Development: Robert Lake VP, Interactive Media: Nick Reid 3200 Rice Mine Road NE Tuscaloosa, AL 35406 www.randallreilly.com In Memoriam: H. Pettus Randall II (1911-1976) - Founder H. Pettus Randall III (1945-2002) - Chairman All advertising for Truckers News is accepted and published by Randall-Reilly Publishing Company, LLC, on the representation that the advertiser and/or advertising agency are authorized to publish the entire contents and subject matter thereof. The advertiser and/or advertising agency will defend, indemnify and hold Randall-Reilly Publishing Company, LLC, harmless from and against any loss, expenses or other liability resulting from any claims or suits for libel violations of right of privacy or publicity, plagiarism, copyright or trademark infringement, and any other claims or suits that may arise out of publication of such advertisement. Copyright © 2012, Randall-Reilly Publishing Company, LLC, All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Address subscription requests to: Truckers News Subscription Dept., P.O. Box 3187, Tuscaloosa, AL 35403. 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