The Web site for the Inquirer and Daily News, philly.com, recently launched its mobile Web site.

One would think media outlets in large markets — such as Philadelphia — would be ahead of the curve in mobile technology. However, as in many aspects of life, Philadelphia is trying. We’re one step closer with philly.com‘s mobile Web site.

Before the launch, mobile users viewed the regular Web site for the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News on mobile devices. While it’s fairly navigable on a computer’s Internet browser, philly.com was not so easy to navigate with an oversized finger.

As with many mobile sites, not everything found on the regular site is accessible on the mobile philly.com. For example, you cannot separate what appeared in the Inquirer or Daily News on the home page — you’ll find out by the article’s byline. But with larger links and quicker loading, it’s a welcome sacrifice for an easier way to get Philly news on the go.

Fox 29 is the only other local media outlet in the city to have a mobile site, though it’s bare and doesn’t offer links comparable to what you’d see on myfoxphilly.com. NBC10, however, does have a free iPhone application, the first of the market. But I still ask — where are the rest of Philly’s local news iPhone apps?

I appreciate the work of those at philly.com — I have no experience in creating mobile sites, let alone regular Web sites (hat tip to WordPress), and I’m sure much work goes into producing a mobile equivalent of a hefty Web site. Bare with them as they work out kinks, and I recommend following them on Twitter (@phillydotcom, @PhillyDailyNews, @PhillyInquirer) for continuing updates.

...for now.

At least the Phillies are taking Amtrak.

If history is any indication, there’s probably going to be a transit strike. SEPTA‘s largest union, TWU Local 234, is threatening a walk-out that could leave thousands of commuters stranded.

@SEPTA has released two seemingly unrelated “news” stories on its Web site — “World Series Information” and “Service Interruption Guide.”

The “World Series Information” article lists important details about service to and from the World Series games, including increased local service in addition to Sports Express trains running every 10 minutes. This is fantastic and really shows SEPTA’s commitment to getting you to the games, until you read the next article…

The “Service Interruption Guide,” which makes no reference to the World Series article (and visa versa), suggests the following:

• Take Regional Rail.
• Alter your work schedule to avoid peak-hour trains.
• Redeem your Trans/TrailPass if necessary.

Broad Street does have sidewalks extending from City Hall to Citizens Bank Park. Estimated travel time (walking): 50 minutes.

Just like back in 2005, SEPTA and TWU Local 234 have locked themselves in a hotel (the Old City Holiday Inn) to hash out a new contract, conveniently just in time for Philadelphia to be on the national stage for the World Series. The union has been without a contract since the spring. At the core of the negotiations, similar to 2005: wages, benefits and pensions.

This time, though, both parties have new negotiators at the top. TWU spokesperson Robert Wolper, perhaps mimicking an old, popular SEPTA slogan (knowingly or unknowingly), said in reference to negotiations, “We’re getting there. Slowly.”

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, SEPTA is hesitant to dish more money to the union since ridership is down (it reached a peak last year when gas prices jumped), state/federal funding is questionable and operating costs are rising.

The union has set a deadline for Saturday at 12:01 a.m., but a strike could occur before that, the article said.

A strike would affect most city bus routes (except LUCY and CCT Connect/Paratransit), trolleys and subways. Regional Rail will be operating normally, yet with an expected increase in passengers.

Temple University and the University of Pennsylvania are providing shuttles to students, faculty and staff should the strike happen, similar to their plans in 2005. Both universities also encourage carpooling.

For a thoughtful reminder of the 2005 strike, check out The Temple News’ award winning coverage, to which I was proud to contribute:

• Transit workers walk off the job
• Commuters crowd Broad Street shuttles
• Emergency plans put into action
• Dean briefs TSG on transit options

But the all-important question: Will the popular “SEPTA Race to Citizens Bank Park” air at the World Series?

Along with its 180th anniversary celebration, the Philadelphia Inquirer made an additional announcement in its paper yesterday.

In an article titled “Print will live in a digital age,” publisher Brian Tierney said users will pay for the Inky’s and Daily News’ Web site, philly.com, by the end of the year.

As subscription service is one thing, but a paid subscription is something I doubt many in the Philadelphia area would buy into (literally).

The Philadelphia Inquirer ran an article Tuesday about the Tyler School of Art’s relocation to Main Campus.

One source interviewed was interim dean Therese Dolan, who was discussing funding for the school — and implied that alumni aren’t able to give much for the effort.

“I wish I was the law, medical or business school dean,” said interim dean Therese Dolan. “Their alumni have deep pockets. Ours are still waitressing.”

That quote prompted an e-mail from Dolan to the Tyler listserv about the article. She said she was “pleased” to see the long article featured but “dismayed” that her words were “taken out of context.”

She goes on to list a series of notable Tyler alumni and to mention the 56 grants available to Tyler students.

Before providing a link to the article, Dolan ended the e-mail by saying the following:

I could not be prouder to be Interim Dean of our nationally anked art school with its extraordinarily talented faculty and students.

Well, Dr. and Mrs. Herman Libshitz know the feeling. Verizon has denied them e-mail service because their name contains “questionable language.”

The Libshitzes have given up on trying to get Verizon DSL and have opted to stay with AT&T dial-up — a good boycott for a lax policy.

A spokeswoman for Verizon actually sided with the Libshitzes, saying the company usually makes exceptions based on “reasonable requests.”

I’d say a name — an identity — is pretty reasonable, no?

Believe it or not, there are times when even I have trouble putting words to thoughts. Shocking, no?

Inquirer columnist Karen Heller doesn’t like the rebranding of the Franklin (Institute). She doesn’t like the Pirates. She didn’t like King Tut. And she doesn’t like the cost, especially for 11-year-old adults.

Isn’t this all the stuff you were thinking? For Philadelphians, the name change — er, drop — will likely stick (“Institute” is three syllables that can easily be dropped without losing context), but we will still fight it, right? Plus, their domain name — fi.edu — probably cost them more than they’d like to admit. So technically, the “Institute” isn’t going anywhere.

Read Karen’s comments.

It wouldn’t be Philadelphia without angry journalists. So these angry journalists have called out a fellow one.

First, Inquirer columnist Daniel Rubin gave an interesting view of a day in the life of Larry Mendte. Perhaps his title — “The obsession of Larry Mendte” — is a double entendre. His obsession with Alycia Lane, our obsession with him?

The second comes from my new fave Jill Porter. She’s followed up her Alycia Lane column with a Larry Mendte column, simply asking, “What more could he want?” And she hits each question that every one of us has in the back of our minds. Answers, however, are hard to come by.

Just passing them along. Feel free to share your thoughts!

Photo courtesy DN.