Can You Still just Submit Your Work to Newspapers/Magazines like the Old Days? Questions

I'm not really into getting into contests and seeing if I get published in a magazine or collaboration book or whatever. I just want to know, can you still just send them to the magazine or newspaper and see if they will feature your work? And how to people get in collaboration books without getting in contests or something?

You see, I don't have my full book finished yet and I want some form of recognition or money coming in. So I would gladly write a short story or poem and send it in to a magazine or something if you could tell me if it's okay to do that these days, and what magazines and stuff are the correct material for short stories. I know they did it all the time and got recognized in the 1800's xD

1. Have you ever sent your work into a magazine/newspaper/collaboration book?
2. Did you get published in it?
3. Do you have to do any kind of special copy-righting thing first?
4. What are some good magazines/newspapers?
5. Is it easy to do? I mean, what do you have to do?

I literally know nothing about it. But I have had a strong urge to try it lately, so if someone can be of any help; I would definitely appreciate it =)

Thank you, and have a great day!