>>>>>so, where is all this profit going to come from?<<<<<
I see your point. If we analogize web enterprises to non-web enterprises, there seem to be two categories of sources that I use, non-profit organizations that are analogous to libraries, don't charge user fees and are funded by taxpayers or break even; and for-profit organizations that are analogous to magazines, charge user fees and make a profit.
I prefer free, of course, but I will pay if I have no choice and the service is essential and valuable. Once I used Westlaw for free at law school, it was very hard to give it up. But at $4 -$8 a minute, it is very hard to justify, except in infrequent cases. Much of the information on Westlaw is public domain (law cases), but the law reviews and legal encyclopedias are not, and I understand that the publishers are in the business to make money and don't want to give the information away.
I still think professionals and business people are willing to pay for unique information and excellent search engines.
CobaltBlue
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