Today’s piece is purely promotional. But instead of promoting Answer Guy Central’s Search Engine Optimization Services, we’ll be promoting my exalted new position as a source for The New York Observer.
OK, so it’s not The New York Times, but … of course it isn’t; the piece is an exposé of sorts on Times Tech Columnist David Pogue.
And “exalted new position” is silly; all I did was speak with Observer columnist Ben Popper. But I’m telling you about this for a few reasons.
Sometimes, the best business change you can make is when you “go back to your roots”, Rewind to what you know best. Stop being “cute”.
Today, for the first time in a long time, David Pogue wrote a column that was worth reading.
I say that, fully aware that I’m not the world’s end-all arbiter of what’s worth reading. And let me be clear: I’m trying to compliment David Pogue, not insult him. Pogue is an occasional touchstone here at Answer Guy Central, and it makes me sad that every now and then I write about him in a way that sounds snarky. He’s even written in to complain a bit.
Are they kidding?
OK, no, they aren’t. Apple’s new iPad has the potential to be at the center of the biggest business change ever, anywhere. And the way Apple announced the device yesterday is all the proof you need of that. So the question is: will it work?
Let me start as I sometimes do by tipping my hat to David Pogue of the New York Times. As usual (I’m so bummed that the phrase “as always” no longer applies), David spoke as the voice of reason: we really haven’t seen the Apple iPad in action or put it through its paces, and in some regard should withhold judgment. Fair enough. But it’s exactly that point on which the iPad needs to be judged.
A few weeks ago I had some harsh words for David Pogue. Dave, The New York Times’ lead technology columnist—among other things—had expressed an opinion about copy protection that I felt was so out of touch with reality he needed to be called on it.
Pogue didn’t like my opinion. He told me so. Well, David . . . this time I’m with you: today, Pogue comments on Google and their new Nexus One cell phone. And I’m happy to report that he’s back in the fold as “the voice of reason”.
How smart is David Pogue? He’s an accomplished musician. A successful business person. An author with dozens of well-written books under his belt. The lead technology columnist for the New York Times, and a talking head on television. And I know him a little; he’s a great guy.
But wow, is he asleep on electronic publishing.
Yesterday, David blogged on the subject. He asked what sounds like an innocent question, and the response has been strong and pretty much of one voice: “David Pogue, you need to pull your head out of that orifice“.
Did you hear the one about the blogger who lost his job because not enough people were reading his words?
It’s not actually a new idea. The companies that aggregate blogs figured out quickly that if nobody was reading what one of their bloggers had to say that they were paying for nothing of value. The Gawker Medias of the world have been ruthless toward their mostly-underpaid staffers for years.
Now, The Washington Post is in on the act.
OK, maybe that’s a little bit much, but here’s the story: it’s been estimated that making us listen to that ridiculous “at the tone, please record your message . . .” drivel before letting us leave a voice mail, cell phone companies are making us spend an extra $600 million every year on minutes.
And that doesn’t account for wasted time, which is probably a bigger deal than the minutes for most people with calling plans and buckets of minutes (though maybe not for pay-as-you-go users, who this costs money directly).
Answer Guy Central Influency and Integrated Marketing, New York NY 10128
Copyright © 2004-2013, PC-VIP Inc