Tech Columnist Walt Mossberg to Leave WSJ

[rplst8]

I've never been a fan of Mossberg or Swisher. I think their interviews of tech icons, lack insight into the fundamentals of technology, which is evident in their questions and followups. I actually think there is still a pretty big hole for quality tech journalism. Ars Technica used to be a lot better than it is now, but has fallen prey to the press release and tech media buzz news cycle, much like Engadget and others. Though, I do appreciate their continued coverage of tech privacy, policy, and law issues - which is lacking nearly everywhere else.

Technology and how it affects our lives is a huge nebulous topic, which grows larger each year. I hope some sort of real journalism takes root to provide meaningful insight, investigation, and commentary/opinion.

[auctiontheory]

I used to not like Mossberg because he doesn't understand technology, and because he gave low ratings to the products I worked on, which were challengers rather than market leaders.

Over time I've come to realize that he did a pretty good job of understanding and speaking to his audience of non-techie businesspeople, whose priority is to find something that "just works," regardless of hardware specs or technical elegance.

Mossberg readers don't tend to be HN readers, but they do represent a much larger market.

[Steko]

Felix Salmon last month with an appreciation of Kara/AllThingsD and some insight into the neogtiations:

http://blogs.reuters.com/felix-salmon/2013/08/27/can-rupert-...

[larrys]

Essentially Mossberg and Kara Swisher needed the WSJ affiliation more than WSJ now needs them. Should be interesting to see how much power they wield going forward.

[tesseractive]

To whatever degree the Journal made the decision, I expect it was either over cost or over their desire to have more control over their own technology coverage.

ATD has a pretty huge following, and I can't imagine that they will have any trouble driving plenty of traffic and/or signing up a new partner without the Journal.

[shawndumas]

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:http://...

[gnicholas]

Thx for the non-paywalled link—you can see why Mossberg & team might look forward to parting ways with the WSJ.

If a tree falls in a paywalled garden, does it make a sound?

[acjohnson55]

Making room for a new face?

http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2013/09/04/manjoo-joins-wall-str...

[stephenaturner]

Interesting. Seems from the link they don't own AllthingsD even though it's very much their thing. I presume they'll be negotiating with another company to start up something new but similar. Not unlike Nate Silver leaving the Times, except he owned his brand and site so could take it all with him.

[PhantomGremlin]

"This is Walt Mossberg. Shut up!"

I miss Walt Mosspuppet. The videos were very funny. I wish the guy would do more.

[xanth]

But who will report for the apple fan-boy.

[lnsignificant]

Gruber?

[nateabele]

Apropos of nothing, I just wanted to drop by and reiterate that Kara Swisher is in the running for the most obnoxious person on the planet (don't forget to cast your votes!).

I hope she dwindles into obscurity (finally).

[nhebb]

I've only read a few of her pieces, and they seemed like straight up journalism. What's obnoxious about her?

[chad_oliver]

To be honest, your behavior is rather obnoxious. It's exactly the sort of bullying behavior I left behind when I left primary school.

Let people make their own decisions about others; there's no need to spread nasty opinions.