I thought we were beyond this, but no: it seems that quite a number of people who are old enough to know better are making silly pronouncements to the effect that Tablet Is The New Print.

This calls for a mind-expanding whack on the side of the head, preferably applied with Maslow's hammer. Abraham Maslow was the psychologist famous for his "hierarchy of needs." He also was famous for saying "If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail." That's called Maslow's hammer, or sometimes "the law of the instrument."

If you're a designer, you tend to see the world as a series of design problems. If you're a newspaper journalist, you tend to look at the Internet and think of "online newspapers." That, by the way, was the chief product visioning error of the period from 1995 to today, an era when non-newspaper Internet companies got insanely wealthy and newspaper companies took a nosedive into the dirt.

So now we have the tablet. The iPad is not the first, but it's the first to come reasonably close to getting it right from a usability perspective, and it will lead to a new breed of devices that will supplant the personal computer for a large percentage of the population.

Old media people are really, really excited about the iPad. Many believe that it heralds a return to the form, the business model and the look, if not the feel, of printed newspapers and magazines.

This is foolish and self-defeating, as we should have learned from 15 years of operating on the Web. The Tablet Is Not The New Print. That's not how the world works.

If you're a Web person you're probably thinking: "of course, the tablet is the new Web."

It is, but a word of caution is in order. This is not the old Web on new devices. It's not even the old Web minus Flash and minus all the viruses, malware and other insanity of the fading Microsoft era. It's something far more intensely personal, more tactile, and -- for more reasons than merely Apple's failure to support multitasking -- focused.

But it's still the Web with all its interactivity and social interaction. And it's still the Web, searchable, real-time, practically infinite. It's not a restoration of the scarcity that made fortunes for print empire-builders from Hearst and Pulitzer to Rupert Murdoch.

Laying out splashy pages with InDesign and cramming them into a 40-minute downloadable iPad app might make you feel good, but it's not the future of journalism.

Thirteen hours of Twittering by Austrian businessman @freakingcat tells an eyewitness tale of Bangkok burning in detail that generally has escaped conventional/professional journalism. I grabbed a snapshot of his posts from a long and painful Wednesday in Thailand's capital. You might wish to scroll to the bottom, and read up.

Its getting night! Tomorrow the sun will rise again! Thailand will be changed forever!
37 minutes ago via Twitterrific

freakingcat just have candle light dinner. Bangkok in darknest, it will be a very long night
about 1 hour ago via mobile web

fff
about 1 hour ago via mobile web

At khlong toei believe it or not reds still hold a meeting at their stage
about 2 hours ago via Twitterrific

It gonna be a night of horror for Thailand but there will always be a new tomorrow. Lets work together for Our future!
about 3 hours ago via Twitterrific

Tweeting with almost no battery. Freakingcat is ok. We still are in shock about what happened to Bangkok but we deal with it!
about 3 hours ago via Twitterrific

Received messages for phone interviews. Now almost iphone empty if electricity returns yes email me: freakingcat@gmail.com
about 3 hours ago via Twitterrific

To all reporters and firefighters medics soldiers and police out there...we thank you for risking your lives for everybody. Lets move forwar
about 3 hours ago via Twitterrific

I dont want to report tonight anymore about the violence and destruction th thailand. I have experienced enough today. I wish for peace !
about 3 hours ago via Twitterrific

Freakingcat prepares now for a long night without electricity. Our hearts reach out to all of you who stood by us and even offered accomodat
about 3 hours ago via Twitterrific

We fear looters might come but have blocked every door and window in our house. Our soi locked too. I thank you all for your prayers.
about 4 hours ago via Twitterrific

Freakingcat still alive. Situation more quiet now. We stay in our house and prepare for a night without electricity. Drawing last laptop ba.
about 4 hours ago via Twitterrific

Fire at electricity works still on...rama 4 is a ghoststreet. Thanks for all tweeters. We stay in our house overnighy.
about 5 hours ago via Twitterrific

Lots of firetrucks sirens heard at khlong toei
about 5 hours ago via Twitterrific

Now thaksin you got what you wanted? Bangkok is burning! Thailand is crying!
about 5 hours ago via Twitterrific

All reporters please hide somewhere inside! Reds start to attack you!
about 5 hours ago via Twitterrific

Called austrian embassy and reported our location. We try to stay in our house overnight. Please people of the world, pray for peace !
about 5 hours ago via Twitterrific

Please tweet me the emergency number of austrian embassy
about 5 hours ago via Twitterrific

We will try to stay tonight in our house and tomorrow decide where to go. Thx for all your offers to help!
about 5 hours ago via Twitterrific

Curfew at bangkok. Still huge explosions here. Announcrment of government now via loudspeakers on street
about 6 hours ago via Twitterrific

Please if it is possible get us out from here tomorrow. We need a hotel room for 3 and cats.soi baan plai nuan. Khlong toei
about 6 hours ago via Twitterrific

We will evacuate tomorrow if possible. We need a hotel room for 3 people and our 3 cats please people help us!
about 6 hours ago via Twitterrific

Got a bit of electricity from laptop. Electricityworks burns out completely. We fear wind may turn and set our house on fire
about 6 hours ago via Twitterrific

30 meter flames! Fire getting worst. Huge explosions!!!
about 6 hours ago via Twitterrific

Battery almost finished. Electricity works cannot be saved. I will tweet you if i find power. Pray for bangkok! Pray!
about 6 hours ago via Twitterrific

Rama 4 is all destroyed! I am crying!
about 6 hours ago via Twitterrific

Firefifhters try to break open electricity gates.... Huge huge explosions all khlong toei full of smoke
about 6 hours ago via Twitterrific

Transformator blew up!!! Insane fire at whole electricity building now....fire at kt stage
about 6 hours ago via Twitterrific

All windows destroyed of mrt khlong toei. Smoke took pics but cannot send. Apocalypic!!!! Hell
about 6 hours ago via Twitterrific

Firetrucks arrive but fire out of control!!! My god!!! Mrt getting burned too
about 6 hours ago via Twitterrific

Firetruck just beside at soi baan plai nuan cannot get out! Reds destroy everything!!!
about 6 hours ago via Twitterrific

My god!!! Huge fire at electricity work khlong toei just beside our house! Huge thick smoke!
about 6 hours ago via Twitterrific

Electricity building beside our house on fire!!! Thicl smoke
about 6 hours ago via Twitterrific

Helicopter is circling over bon kai...sporadic loud bangs...loudspeaker announcement. People heard shouting, ambulances and more bangs
about 6 hours ago via Twitterrific

Many loud bangs at khlong toei, every few seconds...loudspeaker announcement, ambulances heard
about 7 hours ago via Twitterrific

Massive fires at chidlom bts...
about 7 hours ago via Twitterrific

Unconformed reports that central world and paragon are burning. Ambulanes heard at khlong toei
about 7 hours ago via Twitterrific

Many loud explosions heard now at khlong toei!!
about 7 hours ago via Twitterrific

Rours protesters entered central world and start to burn things at 1st floor.
about 7 hours ago via Twitterrific

Funfire bombs and firecrackers at central world plaza...even after reds surrendered reports say
about 7 hours ago via Twitterrific

Loud bang now heard at khling toei street near stage...prob. 2 helicopters circling
about 7 hours ago via Twitterrific

5 red leaders turn themselves in says TAN network!!! Bangs still heard at khlong toei
about 7 hours ago via Twitterrific

People throw petrolbombs at stores, its reported...fights still going on in some parts of bangkok
about 7 hours ago via Twitterrific

More explosions reported at chidlom. I doubt that reds at khlong toei will follow nattawuds request to surrender. They are agitated
about 7 hours ago via Twitterrific

Nattawud and jattuporn arrested!!!! Reds at khlong toei still not give up! One loud bang heard again, helicopters circling above
about 7 hours ago via Twitterrific

Siam and central world reported cleared! Red leaders urge reds to surrender
about 7 hours ago via Twitterrific

Rockets fired from near kt stage...estimated 600 ppl there..saw at least 10 black masked guys passing by towards stage. Now our soi locked
about 7 hours ago via Twitterrific

Crowd at khling toei stage screaming all together...area under expressway completelu empty reds confirm sniper
about 7 hours ago via Twitterrific

Locals say now sniper at mrt khling toei area so thats why everyone leaving towarfs stage...scary not one stays back!
about 7 hours ago via Twitterrific

Many guys with black facemasks moving by...threaten me not to take pic and put phone down. Run to safety into our soi
about 7 hours ago via Twitterrific

Motorbikes warn people to move away from under expressway. All run now
about 7 hours ago via Twitterrific

Area under expressway almost free of people, tyres in front of lumpini tower smoking not burning
about 7 hours ago via Twitterrific

Now quiet at khlong toei so i take a peek... Many agitated reds in front of stage...maybe 400
about 7 hours ago via Twitterrific

Can hear from my house at khlong toei crowd shouting angrily. I am scared to go out now! Explosions stopped.
about 8 hours ago via Twitterrific

Fire outside sheraton/westin hotels ashoke/sukhumvit reported
about 8 hours ago via Twitterrific

@vaitor you are a hero, please watch out!!! Dont get shot!
about 8 hours ago via Twitterrific

RT @Tonymaggs: @freakingcat download echofon free. It allows retweets. You're a star, best I'm following...:-)
about 8 hours ago via API

Cannot download another program on iphone to re-tweet phone internet connection too slow but thanks guys for advise!!!
about 8 hours ago via Twitterrific

Udon thani city hall on fire! Protesters torch them!
about 8 hours ago via Twitterrific

7 read leaders to surrender!! Isnt that great news guys???? Lets hope this is true and fighting will stop soon!!!
about 8 hours ago via Twitterrific

Now huge loud bang heard at khlong toei! Dont get out on the streets!!! Helicopters still hovering above
about 8 hours ago via Twitterrific

Ch3 reports red shirts took over century park hotel
about 8 hours ago via Twitterrific

Continuous gunshots at expressway khlong toei, mrt area. Its heating up here. Constants small explosions. Many more gunshots! Now big expl
about 8 hours ago via Twitterrific

Loudspeaker annoyncements heard now by reds at khlong toei near expressway, helicopters, many gunshots now!!!!
about 8 hours ago via Twitterrific

Khling toei many explosions!! Shots very near by MRT !!! Its dangerous!! Get out from there!!!
about 8 hours ago via Twitterrific

Channel 9 jatuporn wants to surrender!!!
about 8 hours ago via Twitterrific

Senator lertrat told tv thay red leader want to surrender!!
about 8 hours ago via Twitterrific

Iphone program doesnt allow me to re-tweet messages,so i type them from what infos i get from heroes out there. Only khlong toei first hand
about 8 hours ago via Twitterrific

Explosions many heard at khling toei...maybe firecrackers maybe gunshots
about 8 hours ago via Twitterrific

Urgent! Rumours that arisman was arrested...awaiting confirmation
about 8 hours ago via Twitterrific

Big loud bang heard now at Khlong Toei. Another one!!!! loud! Helicopters again above
about 8 hours ago via Twitterrific

Just bern told that reds at Khling toei stage are mobilizing and are moving towards lumphini . 6 min ago!
about 8 hours ago via Twitterrific

@vaitor spoke of din deng area sorry forgot to mention
about 9 hours ago via Twitterrific

Warning from hero @vaitor reporters hide cameras and take off green armband!!!! Danger crowd Angry!!!
about 9 hours ago via Twitterrific

@JSeymour026 i can hear and saw helicopters 10 min ago above soi baan plai nuan...now only hear them at distance
about 9 hours ago via Twitterrific in reply to JSeymour026

About 100 reds under expressway khlong toei...angry....helicopters circling above
about 9 hours ago via Twitterrific

Gunshots and explosions heard at Khlong Toei. Helicopters circling again
about 9 hours ago via Twitterrific

Police hospital confirms death of italien journalist
about 9 hours ago via Twitterrific

Thai media report soldiers slowly advance towards stage...few protesters there
about 9 hours ago via Twitterrific

Reds putting gas canisters on road near pathum wan to stop advance of troops
about 9 hours ago via Twitterrific

Khon kaen redshirts storm city hall...snipers shoot at firefighters on rama4 soi ngam dupli
about 9 hours ago via Twitterrific

@vaitor reports 2 foreign reporters shot 2 more bodies found
about 9 hours ago via Twitterrific

Great @vaitor is fine he is near stage now...soldiers moving forward
about 9 hours ago via Twitterrific

@BKKsmiles5 GREAT !!!! Please RT number to all and send message out to catch those bastards who have brought us so much suffering
about 9 hours ago via Twitterrific in reply to BKKsmiles5

Hope @vaitor is fine! That young guy is so brave and his work is fantastic
about 9 hours ago via Twitterrific

Troops seize lumphini around statue about to approach ratchprasong
about 9 hours ago via Twitterrific

Please hunt down those red shirt leaders! They are terrorists!!!!
about 9 hours ago via Twitterrific

025511515 if you see one of the red shirt leaders who fled, call this number to catch those bastards
about 9 hours ago via Twitterrific

To my followers: cannot retweet messages now. Please follow others like @georgebkk @tulsathit @vaitor
about 9 hours ago via Twitterrific

Message to dan river: show some guts man! You get paid for doing your job! So start doing it!!!! Non red local thais are upset about you!!!
about 9 hours ago via Twitterrific

Update...flames reaching up to overpasd at rama 4 in front of lumphini tower 10 meters!!!
about 9 hours ago via Twitterrific

Met crazy farang who wants to walk home now from rama 4 khling toei to sathorn
about 10 hours ago via Twitterrific

Reds extremely agressive at Khong toei prevent me from getting near stage and take pictures
about 10 hours ago via Twitterrific

Maybe 800 reds now at KT stage, ready to support reds at ratcjprasong
about 10 hours ago via Twitterrific

Still smoke at bon kai! Reds on motorbikes start to leave
about 10 hours ago via Twitterrific

Urgent! Repeat! 500 reds now start grouping at KT and will storm to ratchprasong
about 10 hours ago via Twitterrific

Red told me crowd now all form a group and will try to go to ratchprasong for helping reds there to fight
about 10 hours ago via Twitterrific

Everyone running in panic away from expresdway towards stage
about 10 hours ago via Twitterrific

Mant reds on motorbikes at Khlong toei now all leaving towards stage
about 10 hours ago via Twitterrific

RT @RichardBarrow: Two bodies of civilians were found on Rachadamri Road in the protesters' encampment (Reuters)
about 10 hours ago via API

Explosion heard again at khlong toei
about 10 hours ago via Twitterrific

RT @georgebkk: "reds running around in small groups, carrying handguns, also two guys with ak47 and painted warface!" /via @vaitor
about 10 hours ago via API

RT @Journotopia: On Soi Ngam Dupli, sth of Rama 4, Fire at what looks like Chanpen restaurant. http://twitpic.com/1p1opm
about 10 hours ago via API

RT @tulsathit: RT @Dany_k: RT @BangkokDan: Reports: first signs of panic among Ratchaprasong women & children.\
about 10 hours ago via API

RT @georgebkk: NBT has the govt warning - "Not to leave your home. The fighting is on going." /via @veen_NT
about 10 hours ago via API

RT @georgebkk: 'Now at Chulalongkorn hospital. Heavy gunfire. Helicopters overhead' /via @markmackinnon
about 10 hours ago via API

Now less smoke near lumphini tower
about 10 hours ago via Twitterrific

Freakingcat has no electricity but is back safe at the house
about 10 hours ago via TweetDeck

Huge fire, some explosions at khlong toei expressway http://tweetphoto.com/23017081
about 11 hours ago via TweetDeck

RT @seacorro: #Redshirts ask reporters to leave media area at main stage.
about 13 hours ago via web

At Ratchaprasong it is full of smoke TNN reports, cannot see what Reds are doing
about 13 hours ago via web

I was reading Alan Mutter's spot-on Andreessen’s not-so-hot idea for publishers and once again ran across some comments of the "newspapers need to set up separate online operations and give them freedom" variety.

Here's the problem: It's been done, over and over. It's being done right now. It's happening in ways you don't see, and I promise you won't like the outcome.

Let's take the biggest, and least visible, part first.

For years, investors have been pulling their money out of newspaper stocks and putting it elsewhere. Much of it has gone into pure-play Internet companies like Google. That's about as separate and independent as you're going to get. Not what you meant? Like I said, you aren't liking that outcome if you find yourself working for the Bugville Daily Bugle and it's owned by a capital-starved corporation that's laying people off in order to survive. But it's how capitalism works. Money seeks returns.

The Hearst family heavily bankrolled the startup of cable broadband services back when hardly anybody believed in it. The Tribune Company, before it got itself taken over by a real estate flipper, was a key investor in America Online, which transformed online services from a niche business focused on geeks to an experience for everybody. About.com is owned by the New York Times. Cars.com, Apartments.com, HomeGain.com and HomeFinder.com are owned by a group of five newspaper companies. There are many other examples.

But if you're advocating a separate online department for the Bugville Daily Bugle, then of course that's not what you meant. It is, however, how investors and corporations look at the problem.

Then there were the separate "online division" efforts, some of them set up in vain hope of cashing in on the IPO craze. Cox Interactive, where I worked at the turn of the century, ran all the local operations for all of Cox's TV, radio, newspaper and cable Internet markets. Newhouse did something similar with Advance Internet. Knight-Ridder Digital took the local sites away from KR's newspapers.

Nobody at the Bugville Daily Bugle was happy about that. When these spinoff efforts failed and newspapers regained control of their Web operations, the usual result was a brief power struggle and a settling of vendettas, ending in the unemployment of most or all of the online staffers.

There were many cases in which local newspapers set up internal online groups that operated independently. Several years ago, a Borrell report showed a strong correlation between that organizational form and revenue performance. But it's not as simple as that. Correlation is not causation. I would argue that the organizations that used that structure had an intent that was missing from most of the newspaper industry at that time. They simply intended for their Web operations to succeed. The rest of the industry didn't really give a rat, and it showed.

But something very important has happened at most newspapers in the last few years. It started, I think, when investor Bruce Sherman kicked the legs out from under Knight-Ridder's chair. And it accelerated when the economy came crashing down. There's been a great awakening in America's newsrooms -- and a huge turnover in personnel who weren't willing or able to wake up. There are exceptions, but the newspapers I deal with are, on the whole, very different beasts than they were in the slumber years.

We don't have the luxury of hiring everyone we want, or even need. Local advertisers have radically cut their spending because they're in economic pain, too. This isn't about the "failure of newspapers." It's about the failure of banking. We have to live with the results of that.

For most U.S. daily newspapers today, confronting the world with everybody playing on the same team, using all the tools that are available makes far more sense than splitting what's left of the staff in two pieces, telling each team to ignore the other one, and then bitching about a lack of cooperation.