Irreplaceable.. that’s what you are..
Some people have been wondering about who’s going to succeed me on The Independent writing about technology for the news section.
My understanding: nobody. They aren’t advertising the job (not even internally), three months after I handed in my resignation and one week before I leave. By contrast, when the deputy picture editor resigned, an internal vacancy notice went out within the week.
You can draw either of two conclusions from this: 1) everyone is familiar enough with technology that it doesn’t need special treatment, or a specialist to cover it 2) it’s more important to get a general reporter to cover news than to replace a specialist. Interesting to note though that after next week there’s nobody on the “qualities” apart from the FT with a technology news brief.
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November 26th, 2004 at 2:43 pm
Well, it’s a stinkning shame… I feel you have done quality work in the couple of years I’ve read the Indy, and I fear that this is indicative of a real dumbing down of techology coverage- to the “Gadgets of the Week” level of the tabloids. Perhaps the editorial staff feel coverage of these issues are more the place of tech-websites? Rubbish, I say ro that, it’s exactly the place for a broadsheet to have clear explanations and discussions of technological issues. Bah.
November 26th, 2004 at 3:52 pm
So you’ll be going to … ?
Apple?
As for “no one on the ‘qualities’ apart from the FT with a technology news brief”, I don’t see much of the Grauniad since I moved to the Indy many years ago, but doesn’t Jack Schofield count?
Well, bon voyage, anyway; you’ve taught me a thing or two over the years.
James
November 26th, 2004 at 4:31 pm
But the Independent has been steadily retreating from worthwhile specialist comment for the last ten years or so. It’s expensive. The advertisers see little benefit. Newsdesks don’t like people who can — and do — tell them that stories are rubbish. This is one of the more dangrous forms of dumbing down.
November 26th, 2004 at 4:34 pm
No, James, I’ll be going to freelance.
As for Jack, he’s not on the news staff; he’s with the Online supplement, and online with the blog.
November 28th, 2004 at 3:20 am
Shite. I didn’t know you were leaving the Independent.
Tell them from me that I bought four copies daily and eight on a wednesday and I’ll be cancelling my subscription immediately.
Can I assume that you’ll continue to blog regardless?
December 1st, 2004 at 10:50 pm
Well Charles, looks like I just squeezed my private email to you just in time - I didn’t know you were going when I wrote it.
Personally, I think the Indy *has* changed since it went tabloid. Many more articles on celebrities, the media and life styles (10 best lipsticks etc.). All so shallow. Your column was informative, well written and not too technical that it would leave a non IT specialist lost. As PC & WWW comes a mass consumer item - yet still is far from “plug in, switch on, and forget about it” -, it needs the likes of yourself to guide people. Good luck in your new venture. Don’t forget to tell Indy readers about your blog in big bold letters 50pts high!
December 2nd, 2004 at 10:08 am
Ah, Alan - the column will continue, and I will be writing it, and it should appear every week.
As to whether the Indy has changed since going tabloid - hey, the 10 best lipsticks matter to some people. If you’ve not kissed a lass wearing strawberry-flavoured lipgloss, you’ve been missing out.
December 5th, 2004 at 4:11 pm
So glad to hear you’re still going to be writing for the Indy.
If you’ve not kissed a lass wearing strawberry-flavoured lipgloss, you’ve been missing out.
Definately missing out - hey, I’m married! - maybe I get some as a Christmas present plus some misletoe!
December 9th, 2004 at 5:57 pm
As a sub-editor at the Indy, I always looked forward to dealing with Charles’ stories. And I read his advice avidly.
It’s short-sighted not to replace him, in my opinion.