Seattle Times Launches Subscription-Based Community Bulletin Board System

Strategic Insights -

The Seattle Times Extra, a subscription-based community bulletin board system, has begun operating in the Greater Seattle area. This new service offers news, information, and communication services to help users get the most out of life in the Pacific Northwest. The service is free through the end of March, and users can access it via modem-equipped IBM-compatible and Macintosh personal computers.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Seattle Times Extra offers daily newspaper content, local and Internet e-mail, forums, classified advertisements, and newspaper archives, including reviews, recipes, and guides.
  • The service provides a searchable restaurant guide featuring over 2,500 area eateries and a collection of past articles on personal technology.
  • Extra users can exchange ideas with Times reporters and editorial staff in the Seatimes and Issues forums.
  • After the free period, users can subscribe for unlimited access to the service in 13-, 26-, and 52-week increments for $21, $36, and $60 respectively.
  • The Seattle Times Extra is a service of Times Information Services, Inc. in partnership with The Seattle Times.

Statistics:

  • Over 2,500 area eateries are included in the searchable restaurant guide.
  • The service offers more than 1,200 categories in its telephone information service, including business and financial news, soap opera updates, stock quotes, and horoscopes.
  • The Seattle Times newspaper has been published since 1896.
  • The Seattle Times has the largest daily circulation in Washington state and the largest Sunday newspaper circulation in the Northwest.

Sources:

  • SEATTLE TIMES EXTRA, a subscription-based community bulletin board system, began operating today, said John A. Williams, The Seattle Times senior vice president of marketing and president of new business divisions.
  • The service is free through the end of March via modem-equipped IBM-compatible and Macintosh personal computers.
  • Peggy Rinne, vice president and general manager of Times Information Services Inc., said users can access Extra in a text-based format or download software for a graphical interface.
  • Customer service representatives are available to answer questions between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 206-464-8356.