Like the cliche says, information wants to be free. Maybe that's why the New York Times decided to end TimesSelect at midnight tonight. Or possibly it's the fact that the Times' business side finally got with the program.

We've known for months that TimesSelect was on the chopping block and that the end was near. What it all comes down to is the following:

1. TimesSelect needlessly antagonized Times readers and writers.

2. The real money in online publishing comes from advertising. If your readers can't see the ads... That's just shooting yourself in the foot, isn't it?

Anyway, we have no doubt Jeff Jarvis, Jack Shafer and others smarter than us will have lots to add.