I've just picked up a copy of the relaunched Independent, now the Independent Financial Review. I wouldn't really call this a relaunch, more of a transition, but it's a good transition.

All the favourites are still there, led by Trotter, whose thinking really is worth tapping into for twenty minutes or so each week. This time around he's on to Winston about the impact of his Brash email on relations with the US. It's something that gets mentioned in blogland, but Trotter gives it the full treatment.

Gone are the several pages of Wall St Journal copy replaced by an international page and an Australia page, all from the AFR and much more relevant to New Zealand readers. And Jenni McManus is writing again as promised.

Chalky is still there on the back page as is Scuttlebutt. Another thing that has changed is the price, up nearly a dollar. But with this issue at least you get a free copy of the glossy AFR Magazine thrown in.

One of the Indy's advantages has been retained. The paper is still produced and distributed overnight, so the Rakon story is there on page 2. My understanding is this would not be possible if it was printed on glossy paper like the NBR, but I stand to be corrected on that.

I wouldn't hold my breath for more free copy online, though. The AFR doesn't do that and I don't think the Indy will either. Best of all, you can still call it the "Indy".