COMMENTS
Holy. Cow. I can't believe it's taken this long, honestly.
What are little kids going to sit on to reach the table??!!
Some caffeine ramblings ........... technology considerations aside, it was interesting to watch the market become more crowded with yellow pages competitors over the past 10 years, diluting the intrinsic value of the product. Cheers to SF for a decision that among other things, helps the environment on a few levels.
I wonder how gov’t agencies and businesses that cater to those who cannot afford or operate an internet connection will have to change to continue to serve their constituents.
BTW, when was the last time anyone saw either white or yellow pages in a phone booth ? Or maybe more to the point, when was the last time anyone saw a phone booth ?
I agree - it's about time. I like that they still give people the option to opt-in, allowing for those with limited or no internet access. I've long been sick of getting 3-4 different versions of the same information thrown on my doorstep, especially when, without fail, only one would be in a format that was even remotely useful.
I'll admit, though, I still find it handy to have a copy around in case the computer's off or something - it can actually be quicker than booting up if you know what you're looking for. Makes for a good backup, if nothing else.
Here's hoping more states follow California's example - publishing thick volumes that everyone instantly throws away is such a waste.
The Trees are much happier in San Francisco! Can't wait for this idea to roll across the U.S.. What's next the U.S. Postal Service?
aaahhhh...finally!
now lets get the US govt to sell the US Postal Service to UPS.
I guess anybody without a computer is screwed. Let's see, that would be my parents and all of my aunts and uncles.
What was wrong with the opt-out model?
So San Fran is the first to ban distribution. Makes me wonder where the last places will be.
I wonder how companies who submitted adv to yellow pages companies will get their money or pre payments back???
Can Massachusetts ban the distribution next? I think we recycle ours the day we get it- does anyone even use this anymore?
Hear that? That is the sound of hundreds of jobs going away for a few tree huggers. There are more trees today than at the beginning of the 20th century. They are farmed for paper like any other crop. I would rather see an opt out for the tree huggers than have to remember to opt in to get something useful.
I think you're kind of missing the point, Dennis. The whole issue is that the vast majority of phone books are thrown away the day they are received. People rarely use them, and it is extremely annoying to get 4 redundant versions of information you can easily access on your computer.
Stopping distribution of phone books eliminates a huge waste, and frees up the resources of paper, manufacturing, and time, for far better uses.
Whether or not phone book publication is eco-friendly or not is completely beside the point - they are no longer useful and are a waste of time and materials to create, print, and distribute.
If the
majority of people would have to opt out, wouldn't it make more sense to make it so the much smaller number of people who still want them have to opt in?
It will be more like thousands of jobs lost. As for the "opt in" scenario, distribution will be a nightmare for publishers so people who don't have internet will have to pay for the yellow pages. Additionally, studies show that advertising in yellow pages is profitable for businesses.
There are many sides to this issue, too many to make snap judgments about whether or not print works...
This is outrageous! The Federal Government needs to step in and mandate that these Yellow Pages be printed and delivered to every household in America! What are we gonna do without the Yellow Pages, people! We're gonna lose our phony baloney jobs if they go under. We need another government program to make certain the Yellow Pages never die! Harumph!
I worked in the Yellow Pages industry for 30 years; my position was eliminated 17 months ago. The end is inevitable, but there is still a good-sized demographic using the print media. Making it illegal to deliver the book seems a bit extreme to me. Just the same, I'm happy to be out of the industry.
If a business doesn't own a computer by now, they should NOT be running a business. This is where the future is going - everything is moving online. It reduces waste and is better for the environment. Yes people will lose jobs, but others will be created. Its called change. Get used to it people.
So how does Great Aunt Mildred opt in for her paper copy?
Is there a handy on-line form at
www.yellowpages.com?
These yellow book publisher guys are powerful lobbyists. Here in Canada, these old school print directories and like minded organizations employ very advanced online marketing shills who will come on and complain about jobs disappearing, and ask 'how will aunt Mildred manage?' etc
I wrote a piece for my blog on
How To Stop CanPages Delivery in Canada? which is near impossible btw and the comments are full of dirty shills working desperately hard to protect their employers' business model. One lady even pretended she worked at the mill and was facing layoffs because of my post... hilarious, but also very sad and pathetic.