The Internet is breaking into real life!

I wanted to talk about one not-so-ordinary startup. I will probably skip the introductory part of what social news sites are in the era of web 2.0 with a brief description of one of such Ukrainian MYNEWS projects . For those who are interested, you can read the corresponding post on this topic in my blog.

So, the life of this site since the beginning of 2008 has evolved very standardly. Although the service did not stand out for anything unique, this did not prevent it from developing uniformly in a positive direction - traffic increased, an active group of users formed. Moscow (News2.ru) was also not immediately built. And all this continued until the summer, until something unusual happened. In the top there was news from the author himself, part of the text of which I present to your attention:

Hello. It is June 2008. In fact, another month of another year, if not for one “But.” In June 2008, it is planned to issue a free morning newspaper based on the MYNEWS website. Those. all the news that you brought “today” to the top, “tomorrow” will be printed in the newspaper, naturally with reference to the source (if any), with the name of the publisher user and, which is not found in any newspaper, the most popular comments.

Again, I will relieve you of my thoughts about how unusual it would be to observe a situation when absolutely real people would read an article from your blog on the way to work in the subway, and then, while already in the office, they might visit the site itself. Or, for example, during the next break, admins of an average computer firm will discuss not Habr’s news, but your article. Instead, I post an interview with the author of the project, which, I think, will be able to clarify something:

1. Hello. How did such an original idea come to mind?
Actually this idea was in my head from the very first day of the creation of the project. I really wanted him to have some very significant distinguishing feature, I wanted to do something that no one had done, at least in Ukraine.
And in Kiev, free newspapers were actively distributed, the idea of ​​which I really liked. But I didn’t want a regular newspaper - journalists, editors, censorship, etc. I wanted something new, light, youth. So the idea was born to combine the site and the print edition.

2. There are some specific details - when can I expect a newspaper? What will be the initial circulation? Even approximate figures.
We plan to release the first issue of the newspaper on June 23/24. Circulation we think will be at least 1000 copies. Already agreed with news agencies, so as not to infringe their copyrights. T-shirts should be ready by 20, so that people who will hand out newspapers are clearly visible.

3. I know that at first it will be distributed at 2 metro stations (where there are many students). What are the further plans to promote the publication to the masses? And in general, is there a bright future?
The primary plans are all metro stations in Kiev. We also plan to deliver newspapers to large office centers in Kiev. And then the cities of Ukraine with the largest number of Internet users. We still do not have an ordinary newspaper, but we can say an online newspaper.

4. Interested in the material side of the issue. Are there any sponsors, how do you plan to achieve self-sufficiency or even profit?
There are no sponsors at the moment, and we are not looking for :), everything is financed at our own expense. Regarding monetization, there is probably nothing original - we expect a growing popularity of the project, which advertisers will come with. Our only difference is that we will have 2 advertising platforms - a website and a newspaper. 5. For what purpose are you launching this project - both personally for yourself and globally, why is this needed?
Firstly, such a project in Ukraine has never been before. It is always interesting to do something completely new. Secondly, we give ordinary people even more opportunities for self-affirmation, communication, self-expression, etc.
Thirdly, the project will be a source of interesting information that is published and selected by ordinary users. Neither the website nor the newspaper will be clamped into any format framework. What we want is what we publish - freedom! In the newspaper there will be not only an article on a certain topic, but also comments that, again, the users considered the most significant / correct / funny ... That is, a person who has read the article will also be able to get acquainted with “opinion leaders”, if I may say so .

6. Sometimes it seems that you work alone. Is this really so?
Do not believe it, it really is. The fact that I do not have time or do not know how, I order from those who have time / know how

7. First, a news site, now a newspaper, do you think to work with a permanent team?
I understand that sooner or later I will come to this. It's just that now it turns out to cope without a permanent team. When I stop coping, the command will appear.
8. What else can you add in the end? To interest, surprise or wish future readers of the print edition?
I want to wish the readers of the print a pleasant SURPRISE, SHOCK state :) They have never seen such a print publication, I hope they enjoy it.
I wish you all success in any positive endeavors.

- What do you think about such an event? Will it be possible to launch a newspaper, how much can it be popular? And personally, would you read it in the morning on the subway on the way to work? Write your thoughts, thoughts and suggestions in the comments, it is interesting to hear your opinion!

PS Attention. So as not to criticize me for no reason, I want to put some points on the "i". 1. I have nothing to do with the site; 2. The note was not written for his PR or promotion of my blog; 3. I think the discussion of this very original project may be of interest to both Habr’s readers and may benefit the author in the form of wishes or sensible remarks;