Great writeup Phillip!

In my experience, one of the biggest adjustments some print editors have had to make is not so much related to the functionality of certain technologies, but more in that they aren't very comfortable using the web to begin with, so they're starting from a much more rudimentary level than we might assume.

Many print editors I know view the web rather suspiciously, even with hostility. They're not sure what a blog actually is simply because they've never read one (knowingly). It's taken them ten years to get to grips with email (I know some that forward a message when they want to reply, etc.).

So that's an issue that is quite a major stumbling block for many traditional print editors. You can show them how to use a CMS/blog system, how to tweet, etc., but the real challenge is getting them to really understand the web. Not just the technology but the essence of it, its culture and quirks. That takes a lot of time, some diligence and perhaps some judicious training, but the main thing it requires is a meaningful level of commitment by the budding online editor. The willingness to learn more than how to post an article on the web using some CMS is probably the single most important factor that will determine whether an editor will be able to successfully transition from print to online.

Respect the unique qualities of the medium and it will respect you.