SEATTLE, Dec. 12 -- The Seattle Times plans to offer news stories, restaurant reviews, movie listings and classified advertising to computer users in January, the locally owned publishing company said Monday. The paper joined other major dailies offering on-line services such as the San Jose Mercury News, Chicago Tribune, the Los Angeles Times and The New York Times. The Seattle Times, in partnership with its electronic subsidiary, Times Information Services, will start the news and information service in January, said John Willliams, Times executive vice president. Called The Seattle Times Extra, the subsription-based service will be accessible through personal computers with modems. Unlike many other on- line newspapers, it will be an independent service, which means users will dial directly into it, instead of subscribing to an existing national online service such as Prodigy. Starting out as an independent service makes the service more accessible to its local audience, said Nina Bondarook, managing editor of Seattle Times Extra. 'Our purpose is serving our local community,' Bondarook said. 'Our goal is to serve our local community first. That is what the Seattle Times has done since 1896.' Among the local content will be daily news, business, sports, features and classified advertising from the local newspaper. Extra will also feature a guide to more than 2,500 area restaurants, a movie guide, wine guide and recipe file. No price has been set but it is expected to cost around $10 a month for unlimited access. In addition to content from Washington state's largest newspaper, Extra will offer local and Internet-mail, on-line discussion groups, file libraries, fax services and download capabilities, Bondarook said.
Extra users will also have the ability to exchange electronic mail and messages with Times staff members and participate in on-line conferences with local newsmakers. Times Information Services, founded in 1986, has started several electronic services including The Seattle Times InfoLine, a free telephone information service offering 1,200 categories ranging from business news to horoscopes.
