How we want to bring the past back for the future

Last week we hinted at a plan that could meet the expectations of a reader who wanted to be able to pay towards a web-based paper whenever he has trouble getting the print edition.

This is something that we've been considering how to make a reality for a long time.

And this week we can reveal that we're on the cusp of doing it.

Some of you may have noticed that the search function has disappeared temporarily from our website. We hope that you can bear with us for this slight irritation.

It's a clue that something's going on behind the scenes. Our web co-ordinator's been working flat out over the past couple of weeks putting the finishing touches to a little revamp of the site that will herald the start of some big changes.

First, we're looking at improving the uselessly basic search function on our website which has been a bugbear for us at William Rust House for some time, as we're sure it has for those of you who regularly visit Morning Star Online.

But that's really just a by-product of the big new changes that we're poised to introduce.

In the next few days we'll be launching a subscription-based PDF edition of the paper which means that, wherever you are in the world, you'll always be able to get your hands on the latest print edition.

Prices will be broadly tied to the print price, although for those of you who sign up to a longer-term subscription there'll be a discount.

But that's not all. Last year we secured grant funding and signed a deal with a leading digitisation company with the aim of eventually bringing our entire archive, from 1930 to the present day, online in searchable form.

For starters we've the past five years ready to go, wo we'll be launching that soon too.

Rest assured you'll have full details when we do.

If you've got an idea, suggestion or think you've something to add tell us by post or via editorial@peoples-press.com