What is the difference between Stratfor and the WSJ or Economist? They all are relatively expensive publications that provide information only to subscribers and not the general public. The author seems to be upset that Stratfor was making a lot of money.
Startfor is not the only private intelligence group. IHS Inc. [0] owns Jane's Information Group (defense/strategic intelligence) [1] and iSuppli (industrial intelligence). In my opinion Jane's publications and subscriptions are way overpriced.
The book Jane's All the World's Aircraft (2012) costs well over $1300 on Amazon [2]. I doubt there is anything in there that you can't find on Wikipedia (or, if not, a quick Google search). That does not stop every mil/intel office worldwide buying a copy of the latest edition each year. Their customers seem to like having all the latest information in a big heavy book. There is no point in hating on Jane's for providing a product that is demanded by the public.
So Stratfor does marketing to enhance their image and increase their subscriber base, what businesses don't?
I am not interested in subscribing to Stratfor, but I don't hate on them for meeting consumer demand.
Startfor is not the only private intelligence group. IHS Inc. [0] owns Jane's Information Group (defense/strategic intelligence) [1] and iSuppli (industrial intelligence). In my opinion Jane's publications and subscriptions are way overpriced.
The book Jane's All the World's Aircraft (2012) costs well over $1300 on Amazon [2]. I doubt there is anything in there that you can't find on Wikipedia (or, if not, a quick Google search). That does not stop every mil/intel office worldwide buying a copy of the latest edition each year. Their customers seem to like having all the latest information in a big heavy book. There is no point in hating on Jane's for providing a product that is demanded by the public.
So Stratfor does marketing to enhance their image and increase their subscriber base, what businesses don't?
I am not interested in subscribing to Stratfor, but I don't hate on them for meeting consumer demand.
[0] http://www.ihs.com/
[1] http://www.janes.com/products/janes/index.aspx
[2] http://www.amazon.com/Janes-All-Worlds-Aircraft-2011-2012/dp...
Edit: Added Links. Clarified thought.