Seattle Times Features Hostels

Hostels offer travelers fellowship, affordability on the road
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/travel/2012531193_trhostels08.html

Interesting article, but I think it has inaccuracies, for example:

While HI is the industry leader — especially for older travelers who appreciate the organization's high standards — other companies and organizations are thriving the world over. Hostels.com claims to have information on more than 30,000 hostels.

There aren't 30,000 hostels in the world, and Hostels.com doesn't exactly say that. Most of the properties on Hostels.com are not hostels:

I'm going to keep posting about the definition of hostel because I think the distinction between hostels and hotels is important. :)