Free vs. Subscription: Many on-line news publications are not free. Some require a subscription, which can range from merely filling out a questionnaire to supplying the provider with your credit card number.
    

Full text vs. Headlines & summaries: Most seem to provide full text for at least the current issue, although some provide only teaser headlines and article summaries. Subscribers must enter a password to obtain full access.
     

Current issue vs. Back issues (archives): Not all on-line news publications provide back issues. Some who do allow access to subscribers only.
    

Search features: Some of the electronic publications which provide back issues do not have a search function; others do, allowing searches by keyword, subject, or date.