BY BILL FREEHLING

The Free Lance-Star Publishing Co. is rolling out several changes to its digital business line effective today.

Working with Spotsylvania County-based Deedod Inc., the company has transformed Freelancestar.com into a news-focused website that will serve as a tablet edition of the print newspaper. The site was designed for tablet devices such as Apple's iPad, Google's Nexus and Amazon's Kindle Fire.

The company has also redesigned its local news-oriented website, Freder icksburg.com. A lot of the clutter was removed from the site, and the new design will change based on whether it's being viewed on a desktop computer, tablet device or smartphone.

The company has also decided to make Fredericks burg.com and Freelances tar.com metered websites that track page views. More-frequent users will eventually reach a page that asks them to buy a subscription to read additional stories. Digital-only and print subscriptions are available.

Existing print subscribers will get unlimited access to Fredericksburg.com and Freelancestar.com after logging into the sites.

Many newspaper companies have made similar decisions in an effort to boost online revenue.

In a letter to Free Lance-Star readers running in today's newspaper, Publisher Nick Cadwallender notes that the locally owned multimedia company employs more than 330 people and needs to be "prudent" about running the business and diversifying its revenue streams.

"We know this is a big step for us to take when we've offered free access to Freder icksburg.com for so many years," Cadwallender wrote. "But we're committed to offering the best products we can, and we'll work tirelessly to earn your business."

Bill Freehling: 540/374-5405
Email: bfreehling@freelancestar.com