The (in)famous first post

In keeping with the spirit of most blogs, these iconic first words are nothing but meaningless drivel.

My internal newsman wants to rip that sentence apart for a variety of writing sins but, as with everything here, it's meant to do a quick-and-dirty job of conveying whatever behind-the-scenes workings and random thoughts I might have that aren't worthy of the "real" publication.

Obviously everything is in a partially constructed state and still will be for a couple more weeks until I get an idea of how much demand there might be for this newspaper (stretch as it is right now to call it that) and how much quality copy I can produce. I don't intend to do everything by myself forever, but until I have something credible in place it's tough to ask others to devote time to it.

The March 17 issue came out two days late partially due to a cold that kept the entire staff (cough) grounded, although that's an improvement over the three-day delay of our premier issue. The next issue on March 31 will be another "mini" four-pager, but at least getting it out on time can be called another step forward.

The plan is to grow slowly, hopefully as soon as I can find a printer who will do an affordable job. These mini editions are costing me 8 kr. ($1.25) each, hence the limited size and distribution. I can keep doing this for a while, but it'd be nice to find some advertisers – I'm hoping to get some online unless some locals actually want to pay me – to help make a better product feasible.

Doing that means getting the Web site fully functional, since there's a great deal of content there not featured in print. Many of the links are still dead, but more are being activated daily so be patient and keep trying.

Right now I'm distributing the print editions at The University Centre In Svalbard (they're by the entrance), at the Radisson SAS Polar Hotel, Fruene and Busen. If you can't find any and want a copy (or, bless you, want to put some out for others) drop me an e-mail.