WhitePages closes the book on physical copies. Does anyone really care?
It’s always a shock when I open the door and discover something unfathomable – a phonebook. Rather than check the book and try to discover phone numbers, I’m forced to wonder, “How on Earth are these things still printed?”
I’m not the only one confused by this, apparently, as the Yellow Pages Group Co. has decided to stop printing its residential telephone directory in select places. Unless specifically requested, or if it appears alongside business listings in the Yellow Pages, residential phone books will no longer be delivered to people in Canada’s seven largest cities – Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Ottawa-Gatineau, Quebec City, Toronto, and Vancouver.
This is a sad day…that hardly anyone will care about. In an age where someone can look up a person’s name through a Bing or Google search, find an old friend on Facebook, or get someone’s number from WhitePages.ca, it’s baffling that there would be a need to browse through a physical phonebook. In the time it takes me to look through the closet to locate a phonebook and find a number, I could just as easily jump online and find the same number at least 10 times.
Is anybody really going to miss out on that extra search time? Is anyone going to miss the printed WhitePages at all?
I have a hard time thinking of anyone who hasn’t figured out how to find the same information online in a timely fashion. After all, everything printed in the phonebook is readily-available at YellowPages.ca, WhitePages.ca, or other sources.
That’s why it makes sense that Yellow Pages Co., has decided to stop printing residential phonebooks. I’m surprised it took them this long to realize that there’s not enough use to justify the trees chopped down to make paper, the money used to print ink, and the gas used to transport these books directly from the factory to their final resting place – stuck in my garage until I need something to start the grill.
If you’re among the select few who will still be calling to request a physical copy, sound off in the comments section and help the rest of world understand why you haven’t converted to the digital age.
Andrew….you’re obviously not 88 years old. I’m sounding off on behalf of my 88 year old mother. She is not computer literate, does not own a computer, will never own a computer but tries hard to ask questions about them and understand. How will she find a phone number in the future???
I think you’re exagerrating the time it would take to find a number in the phone book. not to mention the fact that you’ve got to turn on the computer, which takes a couple minutes. The internet isn’t as widespread as you’d like to believe either. A good chunk of Canadians are still on dial up or nothing at all.
Many people do not have access to a computer at all times..Not all carry a blackberry as I do.Many have grown up in other countries where the school training was not as advanced as ours.
I work in the real estate industry and am currently working with older people who do not use the computer on a regular basis.
If you work with the poor and the sick you will quickly find out that many do not use, or even fully understand, the tools of the information revolution.
The phone book is common in many countries, it is a familiar useful tool.
Suggest you become a little less judgemental of “Others”.
It make good sense that the WhitePages are being dropped, its clearly a medium from a different era. I mean cell phone numbers aren’t listed and many are dropping landlines for cellular. (A very silly and potentially dangerous trend in my opinion.) But your while your article points out the convenience of the electronic versions of the book which are fantastic, you forget the smaller communities still on the shoulder of the information super highway stuck with dial up. It not really convenient to wait 5 mins for these web pages to load to look up a phone number!
Which is why, as the article states, that they will discontinue the white pages book in the 7 largest Canadian cities. Smaller cities, towns, villages and holes in the ground (hello Astorville, ON) will still get their phonebooks.
While occupying your phone line i might add! LOL
Let’s assume that “everyone” has a cell phone. Based on your point of view everyone would also need a phone capable of accessing the internet (wouldn’t our big three service providers be happy with all of the data plan money). I’d also be willing to race you from a standing start – you with your phone sitting on a table beside my copy of the white pages. Technology is great – but it’s not a panacea for everything so please don’t make it sound like it is.
I don’t have a computer beside every phone in my house but I have a phonebook next to each phone. Mistype the name on the computer, you’re in trouble – looking in a paper phonebook you can easily see alternate spelling of a name you’re not famliar with. You totally underestimate the value and feel of paper – just look at how much paper is printed off computers -we are in fact overloaded with paper. Why? Becuase we all like the feel and ease of reading something on paper. Technology is an adjunct to our paper world, not a replacement of the print form.
umm, not everyone has the internet or could find it easier to use the white pages, which i do prefer. I hate having to read to much online it sucks
Sounds like a huge cost saver for the phone companies to me. I phoned the Yellow pages office today to request a copy of the white pages and was told that since we live just outside of Calgary (our major shopping area) that a phone book would cost us about $47.00 !!!! Our phone rates certainly haven’t been reduced to reflect this saving. When I inquired about a copy of the Yellow Pages they said it would be about the same price. Why are the advertisers not screaming about the lack of circulation?
I find the white pages very convenient and more accurate than the on-line version. Also helpful if you are not sure which “J. Smith” you are searching for.
Just drop by the Yellow pages office the next time you are in Calgary (Barlow and Sun Ridge Way) You get just walk in the office and get a copy
I agree with Sandie, my parents are in their 90s and my in-laws are in their 80s. They will never use a computer – whitepages.ca etc are completely useless to them. Another example of too many organizations/businesses etc assuming that everyone is connected.
I use the white pages a lot. Its not convenient for me to use canada411 all the time. Besides, I am on high speed but due to financial setback, after 12 years, I am forced to return to dial up or no internet at all. I was surprised how many people dont have internet. Quite a few cant afford it yet. I have relinquished my cell phone and have a land line with no extras. I will get along fine. Lose your pay cheque and you change your values very quickly!!Im actually back to reading books and mags and newspapers and White Pages!! Without all the extras, I am one hundred dollars richer per month. Better in my pocket. It helps keep the lights on. Remember High School, socializing wasnt an unknown on facebook or chat. You met someone at a library and were probably better off for it.
— Some people should also think that when the, DIGITAL BREAKS DOWN, ONE HAS TO GET PHYSICAL.
—ALSO IF ONE KNOWS WERE TO LOOK THE INFO IS THERE,LIKE A PERSON POINTED OUT.
—WE NO LONGER LIVE IN THE 1930′s.
—The internet is nice however it’s replacing everyone almost.
Then people wonder ???? Why is there NO EMPLOYMENT ??????
John J.
I agree with the person who has the 88 year old relative. I would think the majority of seniors do not have computers that they could access the necessary pages to find phone numbers…and I do know many individuals not seniors who do not have the internet or for that matter a computer. Technology is forgetting these people!!!
I use the White Pages in my business all the time, when I need to check on the correct spelling of the name, address, and the phone number of my delivery clients.
A co-worker has used Whitepages.ca, and I was always faster doing it the ‘old-fashioned’ way.
And, as most people have commented: not everyone has access to a computer or is necessarily computer-savvy.
I am not happy about this White Pages decision.
I hate phones.
I would bet that over half (and probably more) of the people who receive a physical phone book do not use it, or have alternative options (computer, mobile browser, etc…). I support the decision and the environmental benefits to not sending this to everyone carte blanche.
It sounds like there will be an opt-in option for those who still want to get a copy, which I support as I agree that not all people have access to the alternatives.
Agreeing with the environmental benefits of not printing so many telephone books.We can opt out of paper statements from banks and utility companies as well.
Next step: lets opt out of going to school and the bank,its probably costing too much to heat and maintain these bricks and mortar locations. Learning and banking can easily be done over the computer.
Wouldn’t that provide absolutely marvelous environmental benefits(and more people in “transition”).
Environment hmmmmmm.
Just take a look at the phone book…it says that is printed on recycled paper, and when it is no longer a current issue and you get a new one, you can recycle it again and again…sounds like a no brainer to me, if you do, it.
What’s a phone book ??
What do I do when the power goes out for 3 days. My landline is still operational, now what was the pharmacy number again?
It’s on your prescription bottle. But one would think if your power is out, so will your local pharmacy’s. I’m just sayin… :P
Actually, as my local pharmacy is 35 kms away, that is not necessarily true. Just sayin….:)
Well here we go again white washing based on our litle universe – I am connected so everyone is connected.
Wake up Andrew … not all the homes within Canada connected to the internet and in all probability will not be for many years to come… particularly the homes of the elderly and the those living below the poverty line. Consider how many areas have nothing above dial up or (OMG I’m gonna destroy your short sighted view of Canadians) have a computer … a computer is still a luxury not a necessity.
So put your brain in gear before opening your mouth or keyboard in this case.
Well here we go again white washing based on our little universe – I am connected so everyone is connected.
Wake up Andrew … not all the homes within Canada are connected to the internet and in all probability will not be for many years to come… particularly the homes of the elderly and those living below the poverty line. Consider how many areas have nothing above dial up or (OMG I’m gonna destroy your short sighted view of Canadians) have a computer … a computer is still a luxury not a necessity.
So put your brain in gear before opening your mouth or keyboard in this case.
LOL!!