Is it about the death of the Yellow Pages?

I know that announce "the death of [insert technology, device or appliance obsolete]" is a rather common, but this time it seems appropriate to at least prepare for the funeral of the Yellow Pages. In America, the Yellow Pages Association (YPA), a group that brings together several printers of these directories, has decided to change the name to adopt an identity more in tune with the times . Now known as the Local Search Association (Local Search), it seems that the makeover responds to the slow disappearance of these books.

Admit it: at the time when the information is a Google search away, telephone directories have lost their usefulness had for many years. On the contrary, have become an ecological problem and a waste of paper. It is estimated that in the United States, the yellow pages equivalent to 0.3% of the waste (650 tons). Although its recycling rate has increased to 36.9%, is still a considerable expense when you consider the alternatives.

Furthermore, it is increasingly less people that want a home phone. For example, in cities like Seattle was sparked controversy because the local government authorized a opt-out allowing people to reject the guide. The YPA claimed that this reform was against freedom of expression, in addition to represent high costs. In such a scenario, it seems that the new bet is to place the content online and stop spending millions of dollars (and trees) in a book that very few people use.

Of course, in developing countries where Internet penetration is not high, it can still be regarded as a viable alternative. However, the Yellow Pages must understand that in a connected world, must evolve or die. For now, the YPA has gotten the message, which is also another small success in sustainability issues.

If so you need a guide, why not make it available to download for iPad or Kindle? Why not print a smaller number and put them on sale for that need? Why not talking by phone instead of filling out to all households with a book that no one open? No doubt the Yellow Pages still maintain a certain rationale, but there are options for moving the paper, there are. Like so many technologies, is a question of moving or die .

Is it about the death of the Yellow Pages? written ALT1040 on 2 May, 2011 by Pepe Flores
Send to Twitter | Share on Facebook