I started this blog a few months ago – to report on tech news and the people who bring us out tech news.
Just 4 months after joining ‘the tech news industry’ I realise it’s probably time for me to close the blog!
My idea, was to provide advertising-free information and opinions to my fellow geeks and you guys LOVED it! Because I am already a successful businessperson, I have no need for advertising revenue and have the freedom to say whatever I believe. Four months later – I think this is my last post!
My approach seems to have worked; I already have a Google page rank of 5, 6 on some posts and I regularly get thousands and thousands of hits for a single post. I have had this site linked to by the BBC and even been interviewed on mainstream media and quoted all over the place.
I might not always have been right, but I wrote everything here with a good heart and with no financial gain!
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Why I think it’s time for me to stop
Over the past 4 months, I have spoken with and got to know some ‘big time’ Tech Industry Insiders (people we read on the big tech news websites, listen to in podcasts etc) I have realised it is NOT about bringing you tech news – but about promoting and shielding ‘Tech companies and their products and services for money.
This is NOT some dumbass conspiracy – it’s a financial fact. There are leading tech news journalists and ‘A-list’ bloggers who will not negatively comment on anything that could piss-off their sponsors. Their sponsors often own a number of other companies and these too are apparently off-limits too.
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It stinks!
Like all well-known tech news blogs, I get emails every week from idiots who want to pay me to write a good review of their bad product or service. This is ‘the norm’ in the tech industry and the losers are people like you and me – the consumers.
We end up buying junk because we read or listened to a fake, paid-for review from someone we believed we could trust!
I get my tech news from the same well-known sources as you and sadly, these sources are too unreliable for me to quote! That’s why I think it’s time for me to close the blog.
Because I don’t attend the trade shows or live in San Francisco – I get my tech news from the big websites, blogs and podcasts – none of which I believe I can rely on for unbiased opinions. This means I would only be repeating the same, biased bile that these guys do!
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You guys are great & I will miss you!
After four months reporting on Tech and those who bring you and me our tech news, I am really going to miss this blog! I got to know some great people – ‘small time’ bloggers like myself and people who have commented here. Decent, honest people who have argued with me occasionally – but always been straight!
I also got to know some internationally ‘respected’ bloggers and so-called Journalists who are nothing more than advertising whores for their sponsors! These guys will PRETEND to LOVE anything – for a big enough cheque!
Unless there is a reason for me to continue – This will be my final post here.
Let me know what you think!
I love reading this blog and if you close it, it just means another honest blog stops.
How does ‘killing’ a decent blog help with the unbalanced opinions?
I had this conversation before. We all go to cnet, Leo or ziff davies and only get one side of a story and then we think we are informed. We don’t know shit, just what they want us to know. I read this blog because I trust and I will miss it. I know why you are getting out though and you are totally right.
Thanks guys!
@Leigh
Thanks for the kind words. Unless I can find a reliable way to give you tech news, there’s no point in me blogging.
If I just repeat what the paid-for blogs / sites say – there’s no reason to post.
@MC Frozen
You are 100% correct.
TTNB
I have the perfect anser for you!
When a story comes out, quote two sources of the story who disagree…..
…..this will show us both sides but more importantly, it will let us see if certain news sources are overtly pushing one main brand or hiding obvious issues to make their review sound more favorable.
Clever eh?
Dave
Hi Dave – Long time no hear!
Your friend Steve C suggested something very similar last night. He said to shift the focus from giving MY opinions to highlighting what people with very different opinions of same gadget, site software are saying.
What do you guys think?
TTNB
If you really wanted to make a difference you’d keep going.
@Jonsilk is right. We need honest people in blogging. I am starting a blog myself soon and have been using your style as a model to grow my blog.
Keep going man!
Jayne X
Hi Jon,
Thanks for the words of support. I just followed you on Twitter (Say Hi!)
Hi Jayne,
Thanks for the kind words. I am not used to them here – most people comment to argue with me (and I love it!)
When you launch your blog – let em know and I will mention it!
OPEN COMMENT:
I have received a direct message via Twitter this evening, from a leading Tech Blogger (very well known!) She told me that I have posted here, about the fake reviews and lies – is what SHE would love to be able to post – ‘but she would lose her job!’
I am in a position where this blog can be 100% straight, because we have no ads or sponsors – perhaps it is down to people like you and me to ‘tell it like it is?’
I am currently looking at a way to transform this blog into a place where there is FAR, FAR MORE user comment – And to combine that with a balanced look at the reality of the tech news we all receive.
I will take a longer look at this in the morning and make a decision.
You guys rock!
JC
I’m going to hand it to you Jim, at least you are one of the few who will go against the grain when it comes to giving tech news. You are 100% correct that most tech bloggers just want to promote and make money. They are not so much inclined to tell the ugly truth when need be and face potential burn.
Sure, I may have disagreed with you on certain things, but at least you were there to fight fire with fire and put it out there. For this reason I believe you should keep going. The tech world needs people like you to keep things real and take us out of the corporate shenanigans.
Finding a way to include more user content should prove to be very effective. Also, you should invite your readers to share opposing information on certain topics and especially welcome opposing views, even to your own content. This will provide a truly open blog that will be able to push out the corporate garbage and bring in the facts.
Perhaps you could create a post asking readers for input on what they think you could do to improve your blog and be more effective. This usually turns out to be very productive.
P.S. You asked in a recent post comment why I even bother reading your blog or following you on twitter, and my answer is because at least you are honest.
@Cybersketcher
Thanks for your support and words of encouragement. As anyone who reads this blog knows, I always give my honest opinion and try real hard to make the blog worth reading.
The more email I receive (had over 20 through the site) and the more comments I read like yours, the more I realise there IS A NEED for someone, to run a blog that has zero need to bullshit anyone – to just say it like it is.
I also agree with you 100% that the way forward for this blog is to TRY and get as many other opinions as possible – so that we can all get a more balanced picture of whats really happening in the world of tech and tech news.
By the way – Since writing my last 2 posts NONE of my ‘A list’ contacts have contacted me whatsoever (NOT ONE) – I seem to have been blacklisted.
They are absolutely right to blacklist me for exposing their bullshit – I just wish they had the balls (even one of them) to respond to my comments.
Keep reading – the blog must go on!
Jim