Do you want to know where the North Raleigh News is located? You won't find out by reading it.

Our address is not in our paper on a consistent basis.

That's one indication of how "snail mail," as the now generation calls it, has faded in importance. I have been editor of this publication for two months now, and I just realized that we do not put our address into our paper regularly.

I mean, it simply doesn't matter much anymore. Which is a shame, in a way, but it's just not part of today's fast-moving, we-need-it-yesterday world.

Which leads to a discussion of the best ways to reach us.

Everyday we get calls (or letters or e-mail messages or faxes) from people who want to get a story into the North Raleigh News. Believe me, it's a wonderful feeling to have such a strong connection to the community we serve. But, if you want publicity, there are ways to make your job -- and ours -- easier.

I prefer written communication. Why? I've found from experience that, when you write things down, you tend to have more information in front of you than you do when you call.

Also, when things are written down, we can read them at our convenience.

Letters are fine but, alas, they're a little slow and you may miss our deadline. Faxes are faster but e-mail messages are best of all.

With e-mail messages, we can cut and paste information, reducing the chance of misspelling a name or transposing a number during the retyping.

Plus, speaking personally, the less work you give me to do, the happier I am!

Of course, you can also call. But -- please -- if you leave a message, leave at least a clue why you're calling so I can prioritize my return calls. And if I can't talk when you call, please understand.

The phone numbers and e-mail messages of our entire staff are printed every week at the top of this page. Our fax number is 836-4950.

And, for the record, our address is the same as The News & Observer's: 215 S . McDowell St., Raleigh, N.C. 27601.