Why not buy a plain old mutual fund?

FORBES

In Vanguard's case the ETF is attached to an old-fashioned mutual fund with the same portfolio.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Steven Wallman aims to do to the mutual fund industry what Charles Schwab did to the old fixed commission structure--rip it up.

FORBES: Safe at any Speed

That security is why people on a fixed income rather put their savings in US government bonds and get 3%, instead of putting half their life savings into a bond like the 10 month old, higher yielding, Oppenheimer Emerging Markets (OEMAX) mutual fund.

FORBES: Oppenheimer's Main Street Case for Emerging Market Bonds