Some people have called CityTools a social network for newspapers.

Others call it a file sharing network for publishers.

To which we say: yes, it's that and more.

CityTools smart networks for publishers offer an exciting way to bring more value to your readers and your advertisers.

Our system allows editors to create innovative content sharing networks with like-minded, and let's face it, visionary, editors at other newspapers. Think of it as a way of creating mini-wire services, defined as narrowly or broadly as you choose.

If an editor ever dreamed of combining sports content from one set of partner papers, and lifestyle content from another and news from a third, well, now you can!

In a similar manner, CityTools allows classified advertising executives to create specialized classified ad networks to create critical mass for advertiers and readers as well. Because of our low flat-rate pricing model, suddenly it becomes possible to imagine a 10 newspaper network that specialized in something as narrow as antiques in New England. And because of this focus, each participating newspaper can suddenly attract advertisers who had walked away -- and do so essentially for no cost.

There's a lot of gloom and doom in publishing to today. At CityTools we think there are lots of reasons to be encouraged too. The public is reading as never before, and participaitng like crazy. This is good for publishers.

We envision a world in which every publication, whether in print or online, can offer a unique collection of content by building out a series of specialty networks. Today, because of mass aggregation classified sites and the wire services, all news is starting to look like a commodity. And at the same time, we believe publishers can interact with their audience in news ways as well.

We aim to change that. So dust off your creative thinking and lace up your dancing boots and join us in a brighter future.