The Rocky Mountain News, just before celebrating its 150th birthday, is closing shop. Most freelancers will snicker at the notion that this is a harbinger of doom for print pubs in general, but for some reason this has the distinct feel of the first of many.

Some newspapers are getting federal grant money to train their workers to be more net and computer savvy. But I don’t think it’s going to help clueless publications like the Chicago Tribune–the papers who don’t get web savvy in a hurry are just marking time on the calendar til everybody’s fired.

For the Trib, it might be too late. But regardless, it’s best to view the closing to the Rocky Mountain News as a warning. I’ve said it here before but it bears repeating–the web is where it’s at, folks. Newsstand publications are an awful lot like those old west cowboys facing the end with the advent of large-scale organized farming and cattle operations. The old timers will stick around til the end, but for those new to the game, it’s best to get off to the right start using today’s tech.

If you are still depending on newsstang gigs for a large portion of your income, more power to you–but your days are numbered. Enjoy them while you can.

The Rocky Mountain News announced its final edition for Friday, February 27.