Everyone has their preferences. Dried compressed pine is fine to use and have been using it for years. A lot of ppl I know, that have bps, use pine shavings too. Newspaper has its downfalls too. The ink is one issue because it has a residue that will come off on your hands, well guess what? It will go onto your snake and also its water bowl and get into the water. Its not good as far as creating a protective barrier for heat. Theres issues for both cases. I like the pine. Never had a problem with it and my snakes haven't had any issues either.