Triumph of the Writing Nerds
"Those who can't do, criticize." It's an old proverb, but it certainly applies to those of us who cover the computer business as writers, reviewers, critics, editors, and, especially, gossip columnists. One of our own, InfoWorld's infamous Robert X. Cringely, hit the small screen last night on his PBS special, "Triumph of the Nerds." While overall it was a balanced view of the early power struggles in Silicon Valley-based on Mark's-er-Bob's book "Accidental Empires"-there were moments where the writer/narrator seemed as large as the subject he was covering.
At one point, when showing Bill Gates on a huge video screen trumpeting Windows 95 at the launch gala, Cringely is superimposed on the screen, big as Bill, rebutting Gates' ridiculous claims. While it's a funny technique, it is quite troubling to see a writer making himself as big and as important-looking as the most influential man in the biz. Computer journalists are getting more and more TV air time. Just look at Gina Smith on "Good Morning America" and "Cyberlife," and Richard Hart on "Next Step" and "CNET Central," among others. Let's not forget John Dvorak's bigger-than-life persona and healthy appetite.
Are these people knowledgeable techno-weenies with a background in computer programming, or simply blowhard talking heads? Most likely, they have little programming experience, because if they did, they'd be pulling in the bucks at a big-name Silicon Valley company. It makes sense, anyway, because most people who write code can't read or write in the real world. Trust us, we've seen plenty of raw copy from techies at computer magazines.
The point is, there's a place in the world for writers covering the computer industry, even blustery characters like Cringely and Dvorak. We just hope they remember their place and don't try to put themselves on equal planes as the pioneers of the industry.
Vacant Domain Names
An irregular look at domain names on the Net that have no content, and who should snatch them up. [There is a chance the names have been trademarked, though nothing has been built at the address.]
train.com [Western Pacific Rail, Amtrak]
water.com [Perrier, Calistoga]
buttplug.com [Good Vibrations, Out Magazine]
god.com [whoever]
radio.com [R&R Magazine, Gloria Estefan]
blabbermouth.com [Liz Smith, Dvorak]
ho.com [Eddie Murphy, Las Vegas Tourism Board]
butthead.com [MTV]
taken: condom.com, air.com, santa.com, good.com, woman.com, gross.com (a law firm, naturally)
Alta Vista Celebrity Name Search-Off, Round 1 (cont.)
Jerry Garcia vs. Robert X. Cringely
One's an ex-human being who lives on forever on the Net, and in an endless collection of live tapes; the other is an ex-gossip columnist for InfoWorld, making his gripes with media giant IDG a public court battle (and winning, so far: see PBS special).
The Tally:
Jerry Garcia: 7,000 matches
"3-Minute Roast" is a weekly, advertisement-free, opinionated rip on anything that strikes our fancy in the online world.
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