OpenFile.ca

[kettal]

I have come across an amazing new site which covers Toronto local news and events. I don't know how many of you know about it, it is called Open File, and I see a lot of potential in it!

http://www.openfile.ca/

 

[Urban Shocker]

So that's where Kathy Vey is.

 

[WillC]

I looked at many of the articles there, but I couldn't see how it is supported financially -- no adverts. Yet it seems to have some journalists who are used to being paid for their work.

 

[Urban Shocker]

They have "partners" and "sponsors":

http://www.openfile.ca/page/partners

But beyond that it's a mystery how these scribes will eke out a meagre living. Perhaps they do it for the love of a good story?

 

[WillC]

Thanks, US, as I see names shortened on another forum I follow. With these partners, it does seem like a meagre living. I always think that 'he who pays the piper calls the tune,' but I don't see any nefarious partners behind this so far.

 

[junctionist]

It looks interesting. The name makes it sound like tax software.

 

[tim_crux]

funding...

hi there - one of the openfile team here, in the spirit of being "open" I can share that their is a revenue model that we will be testing but there was a private investment made to get the project off the ground, Wilf mentions it in his first blog posting: http://www.openfile.ca/blog/beginnings . It's gives a bit more detail in the national post article here: http://news.nationalpost.com/2010/0...launches-hopes-to-redefine-online-journalism/

hope that answers some questions

 

[urbandreamer]

No. It looks lame. BlogTo already covers these stories, as does Eye Weekly etc. Fail.

 

[greenleaf]

I find the site really weird to navigate and hard to use. I can click on stories on the front page, but where are old stories? Am I missing something here?

 

[kettal]

good call. Eye weekly sets such a high standard of journalism that all other news sources are irrelevant.

 

[urbandreamer]

I am not saying that.

OF looks like it was started by a mid-career journalist wondering where the gravy train went. News flash: it's left the station without him!