Premium Posts

I used to enjoy coming to this site, it was a daily fix for me. That is until recently. The number of premium posts has increased dramatically. Today i see that on the home page there are 15 posts that are premium and only seven that are for unpaid members. I think that i have to find a new daily fix. 🙁

Conversation 70 comments

  • Simard57

    28 December, 2017 - 9:00 am

    <p>I have had the opposite feeling and finding more value in the subscription I paid for.</p><p>less that $1/week</p>

    • jimchamplin

      Premium Member
      29 December, 2017 - 5:31 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#231782"><em>In reply to Simard57:</em></a></blockquote><p>There we go!</p><p><br></p><p>Also, if everyone who bitches about the ads would pay the rather meager fee per month, then they <em>wouldn't need to put the ads there.</em> It's not that much, people. Seriously.</p>

      • pecosbob04

        29 December, 2017 - 9:56 pm

        <blockquote><a href="#232834"><em>In reply to jimchamplin:</em></a></blockquote><blockquote><em>Or they could just install an ad blocker.</em></blockquote><p><br></p>

        • jimchamplin

          Premium Member
          29 December, 2017 - 10:34 pm

          <blockquote><a href="#232909"><em>In reply to pecosbob04:</em></a></blockquote><p>I have an ad blocker installed.</p><p><br></p><p>And I still pay for the Premium account. These two things are NOT exclusive. In fact, I have thurrott.com WHITELISTED even though I'm Premium.</p><p><br></p><p>… at least… I think I do…</p>

      • hrlngrv

        Premium Member
        29 December, 2017 - 11:54 pm

        <p><a href="#232834"><em>In reply to jimchamplin:</em></a></p><blockquote>. . . pay the rather meager fee per month . . .</blockquote><p>There's a per month option?</p>

  • pecosbob04

    28 December, 2017 - 9:33 am

    <p>Yep, I understand where you are coming from. It appears that Paul et al have made a business decision predicated on the premise that minimizing the number of free articles will drive premium subscriptions. Since I only come to the site for the comedy and snark I will never convert to premium, but I am sure that the team has copious before and after data that will be used to validate or invalidate the decision to eliminate free content. I foresee a day when the only free content on the site will be an upgrade link.</p>

    • Paul Thurrott

      Premium Member
      28 December, 2017 - 10:08 am

      <blockquote><a href="#231786"><em>In reply to pecosbob04:</em></a></blockquote><p>What we have is ideas about how to make money in an age when web advertising has collapsed to nothing. I've discussed this many times. We're not a charity, sorry.</p><p><br></p><p>https://www.thurrott.com/paul/143645/announcing-big-changes-thurrott-com</p><p><br></p&gt;

      • pecosbob04

        28 December, 2017 - 11:52 am

        <blockquote><a href="#231801"><em>In reply to paul-thurrott:</em></a><em>Which is pretty much what I said. My focus was on the process while your reply focuses on the underlying need. No need to apologize. It is what it is!</em></blockquote><blockquote><br></blockquote><p><br></p>

      • JVarde

        29 December, 2017 - 12:54 pm

        <blockquote><a href="#231801"><em>In reply to paul-thurrott:</em></a></blockquote><p>If "web advertising has collapsed to nothing," why are there so many of them on the site? If they don't generate much money, give us a break and get rid of them. We'd be much happier with your push to Premium.</p>

        • hrlngrv

          Premium Member
          30 December, 2017 - 12:10 am

          <p><a href="#232329"><em>In reply to JVarde:</em></a></p><blockquote><em>. . . </em>why are there so many [ads] on the site?</blockquote><p>Maybe Paul just doesn't like the people visiting his site.</p>

        • Brad Sams

          Premium Member
          30 December, 2017 - 12:57 pm

          <blockquote><a href="#232329"><em>In reply to JVarde:</em></a></blockquote><p>It's a simple math problem.</p><p><br></p><p>If ads used to pay $1 per thousand views…and now pay 50 cents, you need two ads to make the same revenue.</p><p><br></p><p>We can't remove the ads for non-prem for a couple of reasons…part of the value proposition of premium is that there are no ads and also the majority of the visitors to this site are not premium and we need the revenue from those ads to help support the site.</p>

          • hrlngrv

            Premium Member
            30 December, 2017 - 9:29 pm

            <p><a href="#233154"><em>In reply to brad-sams:</em></a></p><p>Perhaps impractical, but maybe add a facility for nonsubscribers to pay, say, US$1.00 for premium articles beyond the 3 freebies per month. That is, add an a la carte option. Maybe also US$1.00/day, US$5.00/week for the ad-free experience.</p>

          • PincasX

            11 January, 2018 - 12:14 pm

            <blockquote><a href="#233154"><em>In reply to brad-sams:</em></a></blockquote><p>As a non-premium spectator (that is more accurate than reader as the comments are really the part of the site that are the draw) I have no issue with ads. Clearly the content has to be bring in revenue if it isn't coming directly from the visitor. What I think is flawed is charging people to get rid of ads. The is an implicit admission that the content itself is not worth the price but value is in how the content is displayed. The value proposition should be in providing premium level content not in reading the same content sans ads. Simply put, the content not being worth paying for is why most of your visitors are non-premium. I know that sounds prickish but I see no need to sugarcoat the reality. </p>

    • JaseCutler

      28 December, 2017 - 12:29 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#231786"><em>In reply to pecosbob04:</em></a></blockquote><p>&gt; Since I only come to the site for the comedy and snark</p><p><br></p><p>This has been me, but I bought premium so I could have First Ring Daily. Listen to it faithfully every day.</p><p><br></p><p>Now that the podcast is free… I may still stay a premium subscriber because I appreciate them as journalists, but they flipped it around on why I was a premium user. What I want is now free. </p><p><br></p>

  • Paul Thurrott

    Premium Member
    28 December, 2017 - 10:07 am

    <p>I explained the changes to the site back in mid-November. Everything I write except for reviews and interviews (and podcasts) is Premium now; this has been the case for over 6 weeks now. You noticing more Premium posts now just means that I've been more active over the holidays than the other writers here. </p><p><br></p><p>https://www.thurrott.com/paul/143645/announcing-big-changes-thurrott-com</p&gt;

  • xperiencewindows

    28 December, 2017 - 10:39 am

    <p>I agree with OP. This is not a knock on Paul, but it's simply hard to justify paying for some of the articles or content the articles discuss. But business is business.</p>

  • jimchamplin

    Premium Member
    29 December, 2017 - 11:44 am

    <p>Well…</p><p><br></p><p>Seeing as it's Paul's name on the site, and it's Paul's writing that I'm here for, I'm happy to pay for the product that I want. I'm a man of means by no means. Except for twice in the last 15 years, I can't afford to buy a new computer and purchase used machines. I can't afford a car, and rely on public transportation and on rare occasion, Lyft.</p><p><br></p><p>But I <em>can </em>afford to pay for Thurrott Premium. It's one of the only subscriptions I have. Well worth it, too. </p>

  • StevenLayton

    29 December, 2017 - 11:57 am

    <p>I’ve just re-subscribed after a month where I’d decided not to. The recent change to how the Premium articles are created changed my mind. Well played guys ;-)</p>

  • Bob Shutts

    29 December, 2017 - 1:09 pm

    <p>I understand the need for more revenue. I just can't justify the cost. Like OP, I used to check in here every day. Not so much now. </p><p><br></p><p>I do hope the new pricing plan succeeds for the Thurrott/Sams/Hassan crew.</p>

  • Jules Wombat

    29 December, 2017 - 1:57 pm

    <p>Yep the Site is no longer a 'must daily see' anymore, much too many premium articles these days, which I suspect are more opinion pieces in any case. There is very little developer content here anymore.</p>

    • lvthunder

      Premium Member
      29 December, 2017 - 10:04 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#232358"><em>In reply to Jules_Wombat:</em></a></blockquote><p>There has never been a lot of developer content here.</p>

  • lwetzel

    Premium Member
    29 December, 2017 - 2:32 pm

    <p>Damned if you do and Damned if you don't. Jules, Bob, xperiencewindows and any that feel it is not worth the fee, Change the channel. Go elsewhere and get your joy and comfort. This isn't the only place to get information of this type. </p><p><br></p><p>What ever you do though, some of us would really like it if you would just stop whining in your posts here.</p><p><br></p><p>My $0.04 (due to inflation).</p>

    • jimchamplin

      Premium Member
      29 December, 2017 - 5:33 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#232369"><em>In reply to lwetzel:</em></a></blockquote><p>Hear, hear!</p>

    • Jules Wombat

      30 December, 2017 - 8:09 am

      <blockquote><a href="#232369"><em>In reply to lwetzel:</em></a></blockquote><p>You really haven't been paying attention to the software development industry have you. The open source ethos is now dominant, even Microsoft now understands and accepts this fact. Open source, and making contributions into GitHub is what we all should be expected. See any Scott Hasleman video to under</p>

      • lwetzel

        Premium Member
        30 December, 2017 - 11:15 am

        <blockquote><a href="#232369"><em>In reply to lwetzel:</em></a></blockquote><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">When I paid my premium membership I did so expecting nothing less than what Paul and company posted here. When I feel that they are not providing me with what I expect I will withdraw my membership and go elsewhere to get what I want. It is easy to find other opinions simply by using GOOGLE. I promise not to BORE the rest of the readership by posting statements like this;</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;"><span class="ql-cursor"></span>"Yep the Site is no longer a 'must daily see' anymore, much too many premium articles these days, which I suspect are more opinion pieces in any case. There is very little developer content here anymore."</span></p>

  • JimP

    29 December, 2017 - 3:08 pm

    <p>Agreed. I find myself going more often to:</p><p><br></p><p>www.neowin.net/</p><p><br></p><p>www.onmsft.com/</p><p><br></p><p>www.windowscentral.com/</p>

    • hrlngrv

      Premium Member
      29 December, 2017 - 11:47 pm

      <p><a href="#232371"><em>In reply to JimP:</em></a></p><p>ZDNet, ComputerWorld, Ars Technica and even The Verge ain't bad, and they'll provide more balance than Windows Central.</p>

  • PincasX

    29 December, 2017 - 4:36 pm

    <p>Well, you also get to read three “premium” articles a month as a free member. I have taken advantage of that but personally don’t see the value. There is never any sort of analysis or insight. It Paul restating the same opinions he voiced elsewhere. The good news Mehdi’s content is almost always free and I find him to be the strongest writer for the site. He seems most concerned with offering something beyond rehashing what is in the news. </p>

    • skane2600

      29 December, 2017 - 7:10 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#232782"><em>In reply to PincasX:</em></a></blockquote><p>It's hard to argue against Paul's coverage when you can read only 3 of his articles per month 🙂 My problem is that since I can neither read the comments on those articles or comment on them myself, there's not much motivation to read them. Then it's just Paul mono-logging.</p><p><br></p><p>But as a non-paying member … </p>

      • pecosbob04

        29 December, 2017 - 9:47 pm

        <blockquote><a href="#232879"><em>In reply to skane2600:</em></a><em> </em></blockquote><blockquote><em>I have it on good authority that the inability to read comments is a bug not a feature. The comments are the best part.</em></blockquote><p><br></p>

        • skane2600

          30 December, 2017 - 1:22 am

          <blockquote><a href="#232907"><em>In reply to pecosbob04:</em></a></blockquote><p>You may be right, but if it's a bug, correcting it has been a low priority.</p>

          • pecosbob04

            30 December, 2017 - 12:51 pm

            <blockquote><a href="#232941"><em>In reply to skane2600:</em></a></blockquote><p>Low priority bug for low priority subscribers. Seems logical.</p>

            • skane2600

              30 December, 2017 - 2:48 pm

              <blockquote><a href="#233153"><em>In reply to pecosbob04:</em></a></blockquote><p>I guess it depends on your point of view. Any bugs can tarnish your reputation. As a developer any unfixed bugs in my work get under my skin. If there's not time to fix the problem it's probably better to just change the policy so the requirements and the implementation match.</p>

              • PincasX

                11 January, 2018 - 12:04 pm

                <blockquote><a href="#233257"><em>In reply to skane2600:</em></a></blockquote><p>I noticed that the premium comments are now fixed. I agree with you that the it damages the developer reputation leaving bugs unfixed. It also undercuts the soapbox that some of the authors on here like to get on. </p>

                • pecosbob04

                  11 January, 2018 - 4:25 pm

                  <blockquote><a href="#236887"><em>In reply to PincasX:</em></a></blockquote><p>Now if only the Premium articles would correctly show the number of comments.</p><p><br></p>

                • skane2600

                  12 January, 2018 - 12:55 pm

                  <blockquote><a href="#236887"><em>In reply to PincasX:</em></a></blockquote><p>Thanks for pointing this out and thanks to the thurrott.com folks for fixing it.</p>

      • PincasX

        30 December, 2017 - 8:35 am

        <blockquote><a href="#232879"><em>In reply to skane2600:</em></a></blockquote><p>I think that you see the inability to comment or read comments as the motivator to read Paul’s articles pretty much says it all. His content just isn’t compelling on its own. The fun part is in the shitshow that is the comments :)</p>

        • skane2600

          30 December, 2017 - 12:12 pm

          <blockquote><a href="#232959"><em>In reply to PincasX:</em></a></blockquote><p>To be fair to Paul, I want to read and comment everywhere, not just on Paul's site. So one shouldn't conclude that Paul's content "isn't compelling" just on the basis that I value it more with the ability to read comments and add my own.</p><p><br></p><p>In any case, I'm just one member so the true value of Paul's work isn't decided solely by my opinion. :)</p>

  • hrlngrv

    Premium Member
    29 December, 2017 - 11:45 pm

    <p>Mehedi Hassan hasn't exactly replaced the former non-premium content. Seems like Blue Whale Web didn't require a daily or weekly minimum number of posts from him, so he seems to average one article every other day. Sad to say, but that may imply no reason for non-subscribers to visit more than 2 times a week.</p>

  • Jason Liao

    30 December, 2017 - 12:44 am

    <p>Even though I am not a paid member, I benefit from reading the titles of the premium content. I then depend on Windows Weekly to fill up with the details.</p><p><br></p><p> I do not know why I am not a paid member, partially because of my habit and partially due to the Dan Rubino factor. I know Paul offers deeper analysis with a broader perspective, but I cannot help but like Dan a little better. </p>

    • irfaanwahid

      13 January, 2018 - 12:44 am

      <blockquote><a href="#232928"><em>In reply to Jason_Liao:</em></a></blockquote><p>I agree with you. I mean, I have been reading Paul for a long time now, since the SuperSite days. I do like his analysis and way of writing. I don't mind paying for this site but I still do not find the real value in it. </p><p>I do like Dan Rubino and Zac from WindowsCentral, and listening other Podcasts, Windows Weekly, Sams Report fills in the missing gaps. </p><p>With all this, I feel less and less to pay for Thurrot Premium. </p>

  • Bats

    30 December, 2017 - 1:27 am

    <p>Sooooooooooooooooooo….</p><p>Those who are complaining about the Premium content……would you say that Thurrot.com IS PRICING IT WRONG?</p>

    • wright_is

      Premium Member
      30 December, 2017 - 2:25 am

      <blockquote><a href="#232942"><em>In reply to Bats:</em></a></blockquote><p>No. It is the only site I subscribe to, but I find it is worth the money. Given the amount of crud being churned out elsewhere and that many sites are buried in advertising – and that the adverts are getting more and more intrusive, when they aren't carrying malware – I would rather pay for clean access to well written content. </p><p>Around the middle of the year, I was in two minds about renewing. During the discounted renewal period, the price made sense and the quality of the site has improved again.</p>

    • yaddamaster

      01 January, 2019 - 11:35 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#232942"><em>In reply to Bats:</em></a><em> Yes. For me that's the primary problem. I already have three other monthly blogpodcast subscriptions that each cost $5 /mo. And those I can listen to while I jog. Or read the transcript. $7 /mo for a few premium articles I might be interested in WOULD be worth it if it's the only site for which I pay. But it's not. And I'm not going to pay $17+ /mo for these type of subscriptions. Sorry Paul. $2.5 or $3.5 – I could probably justify that. But once it goes about the $50 yearly fee……no. $7 /mo is $84 a year. That's almost the price of an office 365 home subscription. Yeah…..no way. Again, sorry Paul. I know it's a business…..but it's also your passion so I'm sorry.</em></blockquote><blockquote><br></blockquote><blockquote><em>And no – I'm not asking for more audio or video. I like Paul and Brad's writings but their podcasts just aren't engaging enough even at 3x the normal speed. And Leo is like listening to paint dry.The man can talk for six hours and say exactly nothing. So more Leo isn't the answer. :-)</em></blockquote><p><br></p>

      • irfaanwahid

        02 January, 2019 - 1:48 am

        <blockquote><em><a href="#389710">In reply to yaddamaster:</a></em></blockquote><p>I tend to agree with you on First Ring daily. I have tried to watch multiple times but the podcasts are very dry and not engaging. </p><p>On the other hand, I disagree with you on Windows Weekly. I believe that's engaging, informative and entertaining at times. The one thing I appreciate the most for Windows Weekly is the occasional guests they have, eg Chris (MS CMO).</p>

  • Jason Liao

    30 December, 2017 - 10:46 am

    <p>If you want fast-food news, visit mspoweruser.com. If you want deeper analysis and board perspective, this is the site. If you are passionate about Windows and want positive reinforcement from Dan and Zac, go to wpcentral.com.</p><p>. </p>

    • Finley

      Premium Member
      31 December, 2017 - 12:57 am

      <blockquote><a href="#233045"><em>In reply to Jason_Liao:</em></a></blockquote><p>Love it</p>

    • kherm

      Premium Member
      11 January, 2018 - 10:12 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#233045"><em>In reply to Jason_Liao:</em></a></blockquote><p><br></p><p>If you want fast-food news, visit mspoweruser.com.</p><p><br></p><p>Sorry, but you lost me there….</p>

    • dhr2018

      13 January, 2018 - 6:51 am

      <blockquote><a href="#233045"><em>In reply to Jason_Liao:</em></a></blockquote><p><br></p><p>What you write about windowscentral is certainly true. They have an exceptionally rabid fanbase, particularly when it comes to Win Mobile. Among the commenters, there are some ppl on WC who are hitler-in-the-bunker-1945 kind of delusional when it comes to that OS. </p><p>The kilometer-long editorials of Jason Ward are at least amusing, he seems to change his pet topic (which is supposed to change the tech world and MS) every few months or so.</p><p>I used to visit Windows Central to have a laugh, but not any more.</p>

  • rvanallen

    Premium Member
    31 December, 2017 - 9:51 am

    <p>New to Premium, years on free. I personally believe this resource is valuable and should be supported. Recently retired as a Field Service Technician of 30-some years. Good content is worth the price to keep it "alive" even if I'm not in the field daily anymore. I will re-evaluate each renewal. I should pay back something for "free" use in the past as it really has been helpful (and funny at times). Thank You.</p>

  • Tomaz

    11 January, 2018 - 8:39 pm

    <blockquote><a href="#236987"><em>In reply to peten1020:</em></a></blockquote><p>"Qaulity" is a matter of perception. You're perception is WEIRD.</p>

    • peten1020

      12 January, 2018 - 2:52 am

      <blockquote><a href="#236994"><em>In reply to Tomaz:</em></a></blockquote><p>Guess what, value based "qaulity" is a determination on price and other attributes like in this case, is it informative, interesting, concise, relevant to the title, original. Is the author making any effort or just has to meet the daily quota?</p><p><br></p><p>On your second point, why is my perception "WEIRD"? Is it because you did not like the formatting of my post, cause for $7 a month I should be able to set the size of the font, at lest. </p>

    • PincasX

      12 January, 2018 - 10:37 am

      <blockquote><a href="#236994"><em>In reply to Tomaz:</em></a></blockquote><p>You are correct that quality is subjective but per Brad the majority of visitors to this site are not premium members. So the majority of readers are in the same camp as peten1020 and don't see the quality as being worth the price. So while you may think it weird, it is the majority opinion. </p>

  • kherm

    Premium Member
    11 January, 2018 - 10:17 pm

    <p>I just got a Premium subscription for Christmas, and so far I'm loving it. I knew that when Paul announced the strategy change not long ago that I'd need to suck it up and go Premium, but so far I have no complaints. And, I'm happy to support the Hon. Brad Sams &amp; Paul Thurrott Memorial Fund. </p>

  • reservoirmike

    12 January, 2018 - 11:05 am

    <p>I have to agree that the push to Premium has made the quality of the paywall content more suspect. I personally have found it increasingly difficult to pick and unlock what I would describe as 'quality' articles, those with the most potential for the deeper, richer content advertised as Premium.&nbsp;The problem is, most of the Premium articles, at least lately are barely more than glorified Tweets.&nbsp;That is not a flame, just a fact.&nbsp;And I get that with the larger volume of Premium dedicated articles, some will be short and sweet, so it doesn't bother me.&nbsp;But that does not discount the frustration of unlocking an article and finding it to be lesser in both quality and length than some of the free content.</p><p><br></p><p>I also agree the lack of visibility into comments on Premium articles does lessen the experience. Half the fun is participating in the community reactions and the comments they spark.</p>

  • jimchamplin

    Premium Member
    12 January, 2018 - 11:45 pm

    <blockquote><a href="#236987"><em>In reply to peten1020:</em></a></blockquote><p>Don't let the door hit you on the way out.</p>

    • peten1020

      16 January, 2018 - 6:07 am

      <blockquote><a href="#237346"><em>In reply to jimchamplin:</em></a></blockquote><p>Thank you Jimmy for your insightful comment. I appreciate your effort to do your best.</p>

  • GT Tecolotecreek

    13 January, 2018 - 12:13 pm

    <blockquote><a href="#236987"><em>In reply to peten1020:</em></a></blockquote><p>Have to agree with you on this. The couple free premium articles I read each month leaves me wondering "Where's the beef?" So far not a compelling argument to upgrade.</p>

  • anchovylover

    14 January, 2018 - 12:54 am

    <p>I do wonder what some people are expecting for $7 per month. It doesn't even cover two coffees for goodness sake. Thurrott has been around for decades ( sorry Paul ) and offers that experienced perspective that most other sites fail to offer. Sams and Hassan with their knowledge and experience are icing on the cake.</p><p><br></p><p>These threads are both tiring and pointless. All they offer is entitled, self obsessed readers a platform to have a whinge. </p><p><br></p><p>Bottom line…if someone doesn't believe the site is worth pennies a month then leave, you're not forced to be here.</p>

    • dhr2018

      14 January, 2018 - 1:12 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#237540"><em>In reply to anchovylover:</em></a></blockquote><blockquote><br></blockquote><p>Tend to agree. Got the 40 euro (48 $) yearly pass, this will be the "trial" year to find out if the premium content is consistenly good enough to keep on paying. But definitely a plus that in exchange for that money, one does not have to scroll down the countless articles of "DEAL ALERT!" and such to find the real content.</p><p>Moreover, Thurrott is one of the few IT sites where the comments are worth reading (compare with, for example, windowscentral, with its legion of intolerable, hard-line Win Mobile fanatics and annoying neckbeards)</p><p><br></p>

      • irfaanwahid

        02 January, 2019 - 1:16 am

        <blockquote><em><a href="#237619">In reply to dhr2018:</a></em></blockquote><p>I've been deliberating for quite a while now for becoming Premium member of the site (Paul/Brad will hate me for this) since I've been saying this for a while.</p><p>I guess this year will just sign up.</p>

    • peten1020

      16 January, 2018 - 6:23 am

      <p>"I do wonder what some people are expecting for $7 per month…" /s</p><p><br></p>

    • sevenacids

      01 January, 2019 - 10:56 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#237540">In reply to anchovylover:</a></em></blockquote><p><br></p><p>Pennies a month, sure. $7, maybe not, and surely not if they add up. This coffee-comparison is lame and getting tired. It only works when one or two sites charge that much, but not more, and only if you are willing to waste $3.50 a day on a coffee in a stupid platic mug.</p>

  • wright_is

    Premium Member
    02 January, 2019 - 2:49 am

    <p>It is news slow season, so not much happening, so the number of "best of", "what I use" type posts has increased, which are premium content.</p><p>Once the world starts working again, it should go "back to normal", or, of course, you could show your support for the site and subscribe.</p>

  • madthinus

    Premium Member
    02 January, 2019 - 6:06 am

    <p>For me it is less about value, quality and quantity. It is about trust. I trust Paul and Brad. I trust their values for reporting and presenting facts and expressing opinions. They are informed and balanced, open and upfront. They don't post a 1000 stories a day, just essential stuff. No fluff, no clickbait no BS. I value that. For me that is worth the money I pay for this site. I read most articles that is posted, daily. I do enjoy a rant and even some of the comments. </p><p><br></p><p>I have a handful of other sources. I follow, Tom Warren on Twitter so I will pick up some of his stories and I bookmarked Dr Pizza's stories at ArsTechnica. I read Mary Jo's site and that is my Windows and Microsoft covered. If it is worth reporting, they will cover it. If you looking for wider Technology coverage, there are better places to find that than here for sure. </p><p><br></p><p><br></p>

    • Bats

      02 January, 2019 - 3:58 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#389763">In reply to madthinus:</a></em></blockquote><p>So I take it, that you are one of the few of that bought a Microsoft Band watch, due to Thurrott's glowing review of it? You must also have a Lumia phone or perhaps even a Continuum?&nbsp;These are just a couple of the endless number of products Thurrott endorsed, just to watch it fail and disappear. You call that trust?</p><p><br></p><p>As for Clickbait,….Thurrott did confess to practicing it on a Windows Weekly podcast. However, he did justify the practice by saying that the clickbait article did nothing more than lead you to his "quality" article, which brings us back to……(see first paragraph).&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>I have watched and listened to Paul since episode 1 of Windows Weekly. I know how the man writes. I know how the man thinks. In my heart of hearts I do believe he's trustworthy…. to a point.&nbsp;However, it's only "to a point" because he's constantly wrong. The reason for that, I believe, is his mis-analysis of data, as well his lack of understanding and vision from a corporate standpoint. Not just, but from a "real person" as well.&nbsp;"Real person" as defined as someone who goes out into the real world and experiences real case scenarios with his/her technology. If you ask me, Thurrott is like Windows Defender…he's sandboxed (lol). Remember when he called Chromebooks and iPads devices that you can't do real work in? He was ridiculing those devices/platforms for years! Then he sees his good friend McKracken and Thurrott became educated on the spot.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Bottomline is this: When you can't analyze the data right, you're opinions will almost always BE WRONG.</p><p><br></p><p>Fair and balanced? Is Thurrott fair and balanced?&nbsp;Truthfully, lately he has. However, for the most part….no. Being that he runs a Microsoft site, I can understand the slant, but Thurrott tries to make it seem that his site is for honest analysis of tech news, in general. Look,…I get it, ok. This is a Microsoft site. However, when I read something that doesn't make sense, I have call them out for it, like that really funny statement by Brad Samms when he said that Surface computers was the savior of the PC industry. LOL…that was funny.&nbsp;You want a real example? Thurrott wrote an article about some law that he said was "hastily" passed in Australia. I think it was about privacy. It was clearly an F'in lazy article, where he doesn't even describe the Australian Law, itself. You trust that? That is fair and balanced to you?&nbsp;</p>

  • dcdevito

    02 January, 2019 - 11:45 am

    <p>I pay for two blog subscriptions: Thurrott and Stratechery (Ben Thompson). For me it's all about the QUALITY, not quantity. Paul is honest and trustworthy in his reviews, it's why I've been reading his stuff and listening to him on podcasts for over a decade. Even when I wasn't much of a Microsoft fan I always found him to give honest and fluff-free reviews and correctly represent a personal computer user. </p>

  • skborders

    02 January, 2019 - 3:53 pm

    <p>I am of a mixed opinion. I am a premium member and have been reading Paul's posts for several years. I originally found him looking for a way to simplify my XP installs and Paul had done a post on how to slipstream updates in to an Install DVD. From then on I have been reading and enjoying his site. I always looked forward to reading his articles on how to do things with the PC, and as he got into reviewing products I took his advice several times when it came to a purchase or a an application to use. It seems though that Paul and the site have gotten away from showing us how to do things and more into news and opinion pieces. </p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">&nbsp;I still come here daily and w</span>hile I appreciate the hard work and respect the opinions offered here, I am not sure I benefit from the site as much as I used to. Though it may be that I don't need as much help as I used to.<span style="display: inline !important; float: none; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); cursor: text; font-family: open sans,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.5em; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span></p>

  • lordbaal1

    03 January, 2019 - 3:39 pm

    <p>Now Paul just complains about Microsoft.</p>

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