I go the following message - what at first looks like normal everyday spam - but in reality - it is the San Jose Mercury News - the main newspaper of Silicon Valley - and the flagship paper of the Knight-Ridder newspaper behemoth - starting what appears to be a limited form of interactive citizen journalism.

-- David Speakman http://www.DavidSpeakman.com http://www.davidspeakman.com/ 501 Moorpark Way #83 Mountain View CA 94041 Phone: 408-382-1459 -----Original Message----- From: MercuryNews.com [mailto:mercurynews_editor@esp.realcities.com] Sent: Monday, June 27, 2005 2:11 PM To: david@speakman.com Subject: New features on MercuryNews.com

http://esp.realcities.com/a/hBCwGL5APnpdQAXbibAADHj3vL9/mni1 MercuryNews.com http://esp.realcities.com/a/hBCwGL5APnpdQAXbibAADHj3vL9/mni2 Mercury News M Dear MercuryNews.com subscriber,

Don't just read it. Write it!

We've introduced exciting new features and enhancements at MercuryNews.com http://esp.realcities.com/a/hBCwGL5APnpdQAXbibAADHj3vL9/mni1 . You, the reader, can chat with our writers and sound off on everything from local restaurants to the latest video games. We're also putting a tighter focus on local news and on information you can use to plan your life, such as up-to-the-minute weather and traffic reports.

Please take a look! And please give us your feedback http://esp.realcities.com/a/hBCwGL5APnpdQAXbibAADHj3vL9/mni3 .

* In Entertainment http://esp.realcities.com/a/hBCwGL5APnpdQAXbibAADHj3vL9/mni4 and Life http://esp.realcities.com/a/hBCwGL5APnpdQAXbibAADHj3vL9/mni5 & Style, you can submit your own reviews of summer blockbusters, restaurants and concerts and win prizes! Plus, talk back to our entertainment critics in our new http://esp.realcities.com/a/hBCwGL5APnpdQAXbibAADHj3vL9/mni6 a+e Interactive blog.

* In News, we have a brand new photo http://esp.realcities.com/a/hBCwGL5APnpdQAXbibAADHj3vL9/mni7 site, complete with wallpapers and narrations by our award-winning photo staff. You can also buy http://esp.realcities.com/a/hBCwGL5APnpdQAXbibAADHj3vL9/mni8 photos on the site to display in your office or home.

* In July we'll have flag-to-flag coverage of the San Jose Grand Prix -- log in to read what columnists like Ann http://esp.realcities.com/a/hBCwGL5APnpdQAXbibAADHj3vL9/mni9 Killion, Mark http://esp.realcities.com/a/hBCwGL5APnpdQAXbibAADHj3vL9/mni10 Purdy and Tim http://esp.realcities.com/a/hBCwGL5APnpdQAXbibAADHj3vL9/mni11 Kawakami have to say about the race.

* Every week we offer chats with Action http://esp.realcities.com/a/hBCwGL5APnpdQAXbibAADHj3vL9/mni12 Line's Dennis Rockstroh, Mr. http://esp.realcities.com/a/hBCwGL5APnpdQAXbibAADHj3vL9/mni13 Roadshow, Gary Richards; Drive http://esp.realcities.com/a/hBCwGL5APnpdQAXbibAADHj3vL9/mni14 editor Matt Nauman and real http://esp.realcities.com/a/hBCwGL5APnpdQAXbibAADHj3vL9/mni15 estate reporter Sue McAllister. And every Tuesday don't miss our Lunch http://esp.realcities.com/a/hBCwGL5APnpdQAXbibAADHj3vL9/mni16 with Sports, when columnists and reporters who cover the 49ers, Giants and Earthquakes will give you their behind-the-scenes insights into the local sports scene.

* Use our weather http://esp.realcities.com/a/hBCwGL5APnpdQAXbibAADHj3vL9/mni17 and traffic http://esp.realcities.com/a/hBCwGL5APnpdQAXbibAADHj3vL9/mni18 pages to find the fastest way to make your weekend getaways -- and whether you'll need to pack extra sunscreen!

http://esp.realcities.com/a/hBCwGL5APnpdQAXbibAADHj3vL9/mni2 Mercury News M Follow the dot. It means there's an interactive feature you can take part in or find an online extra feature not available in the printed Mercury News.

Stay informed this summer with Mercurynews.com http://esp.realcities.com/a/hBCwGL5APnpdQAXbibAADHj3vL9/mni19 !

Sincerely, Regan Senkarik General Manager, MercuryNews.com

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