CoPress

Beginning in the spring 2009 term, we will be hosting a few college newspapers on a virtual private server, helping them to run dynamic, independent Web sites built on open-source software.

Our first partner publication to sign on is The Whit weekly student newspaper at Rowan University. Their online editor Emily Kostic let the cat out of the bag a few days ago on her blog.

CoPress set up a capable server and will collaborate with partner publications to install a site with WordPress tweaked to their need. (Use of other CMSes is possible if desired, but right now we’re really liking WordPress. New version 2.7 is sweeeeet.) Along the way, our team of experienced editors and geeks can offer advice and ideas.

Publications will pay a small monthly fee. We’re volunteering our efforts and offering this service at cost, though not to make a profit. CoPress is committed to newspapers being autonomous online; we won’t run any ads on your site, so any revenue you make is 100 percent yours.

We’re looking for more student news organizations to join the program this semester. See the swanky hosting page for full details. If interested, get in touch A.S.A.P. to take advantage of the winter recess.

We’re calling this a “beta” run, not because there will be anything half-hearted about the sites hosted. Rather, we’re only taking on a limited number of schools – a number we know we can handle as CoPress gets off the ground. And the service will evolve in future semesters.

Right now, besides helping a few papers out, we’re using the program to

• Document and the process to share with all.
• Show that – yes, skeptical business managers of the world – it can be done.
• Better learn in practical detail what student newsrooms need to build up robust online operations.

That knowledge will guide our organization going forward, working to connect students with the tools they need – however that can best be done.

Questions? You can also read the hosting page or leave a comment below.