Newsmax - Beginning on September 19, the Times will charge $49.95 a year for online users to access 22 columnists, including Tom Friedman, Maureen Dowd, Paul Krugman, Frank Rich, sports columnist George Vecsey and business columnist Gretchen Morgenson.

The fee will also permit archive access of up to 100 articles a month.

Well, I know I'm not going to be paying $50 to read any columns by these people. I'm guessing that a lot of other internet users feel the same way.

I wish the Times luck on their venture, but I don't think it will be successful. Too many people are used to getting this stuff for free.