It’s now been eight years since I wrote the first post on the blog version of GigaOM. Up until Dec. 13, 2001, GigaOM was nothing more than a repository for my previously published articles and résumé. But with a little help from Ben Trott, co-creator of Movable Type (and co-founder of Six Apart), I turned GigaOM into a two-way conversation with like-minded people. Eight years later, the tools are different and the stage is larger, but the conversation continues.
Thanks to residual jet lag from my Le Web trip, I woke up in the middle of the night last night and started reflecting on how much things have changed — and how little.
In the early days, the blog was just a blotter to accompany my reporting duties, where I would posted some of the more interesting tidbits that I would pick up on a daily basis. Given that my two employers, Red Herring and Business 2.0, were monthly publications, I started writing news-focused posts in 2005. A surge in traffic followed and a year later, I was working on a business plan for The GigaOM Network. In July 2006, thanks to funding from True Ventures, we officially launched.
My partners in the venture were Katie Fehrenbacher and Liz Gannes. Since then, many more folks have joined us, a few have subsequently left, and in the meantime we have celebrated weddings and babies — and survived at least one major crisis. And our community has grown larger, in particular the number of friends and supporters who have been guiding us on a daily basis, via direct email or public comments.
Let’s talk about how things have changed in past eight years.
When I started blogging, it was a highly personalized and opinion-based medium spearheaded by the likes of Doc Searls and Dave Winer, and one in which links begat links — that was how the conversation unfolded. One added to Anil Dash’s commentary by writing a post of one’s own. Somewhere along the line, however, technology blogging transformed itself into a news machine.
I have come to appreciate the good of this transformation, mostly because we (along with our peers) have started to replace the technology publications from the last generation. Business 2.0 is gone. Red Herring exists somewhere in the back alleys of the web. Wired magazine isn’t nearly as interesting as the Wired.com blogs and their social news web site, Reddit.
But there’s been a downside to this shift, too: A certain uniformity has set in, making one tech blog largely indistinguishable from the next. It’s one of the reasons why we redesigned GigaOM.com. In doing so, we looked to our yesterdays and reconciled them with our tomorrows. As I wrote when we launched the latest version of the site, “What we’ve tried to do is strike a fine balance between what is a blog and what would be an online magazine.” Indeed, we’ve gone back to our roots by linking more to other folks, because “we don’t have a monopoly on ideas, and since our business is based on your attention, it’s our job to make sure that your attention is being put to good use.“ And it is the attention of the community that will separate the successful blogs of tomorrow from the search engine-optimized drivel increasingly being mass-produced by AOL and others.
Such attention will come as the result of deeper, more meaningful relationships with what old media describes as “readers” or “unique visitors.” I dislike both words in this context but especially “readers” because it makes it sound like the folks who read don’t participate. Yet if you read the comments on our blog posts, you’ll get much more value than you would by reading the posts alone. Those “readers” are in fact co-creators by virtue of participating in the conversation. We bloggers need to remind ourselves of that fact; we can’t just view the world in terms of page views.
I don’t fret about the robo-content trend being championed by AOL and others. Michael Arrington writes, “It’s the rise of fast food content that will surely, over time, destroy the mom and pop operations that hand craft their content today.” I disagree. Michael would still get my click, because he would engage with me. The spammier the Internet gets, the more people are going to gravitate towards content they value. Have you seen Demand Media’s line-up? It’s about as interesting as the chassis of a Kia.
These companies are trying to create search engine-driven content just as the notion of search is being challenged by discovery engines such as Facebook and Twitter. It’s all part of the ongoing shift on the web that many bloggers, including the super smart Chris Dixon, are already talking about. Late last spring, I outlined how the distribution — and discovery — of Internet content was changing. The web is transitioning from mere interactivity towards a dynamic two-way medium, I argued, and it’s easier to create and publish content than ever before. Most importantly, the web is being disaggregated, the so-called “destination web” becoming a thing of the past. This new, more dynamic web is the best friend of niche publications and blogs that thrive on the “attention” of their community. In a subsequent post a few months later on the evolution of blogging, I pointed out that:
As Twitter has become increasingly ingrained in our everyday lives, its value as as source of information tidbits has become clear. Think of it like that plate of chips and salsa you get before the entree arrives: tasty — spicy, even — but not entirely satisfying. Meanwhile, blogging has become the main course — the source of context. And the evolution into that role has injected new life into the blogosphere.
Indeed, eight years on I find myself re-invigorated by blogging and what it’s come to represent. Here’s to the future!
The Top 10 Posts on GigaOM.com
- 5 Ways to SMS for Free (2007)
- A quick guide to netbooks (2008)
- Forget iPhone, Think Google Phone (2006)
- The Magic behind Magicjack (2007)
- Top Ten most popular MMOs (2007)
- 10 Must have apps to pimp out your Symbian phone (2008)
- The Nokia N95 Review (2007)
- Google, YouTube & Dark Side of Online Video (2006)
- Skype on iPhone, No Seriously. (2007)
- 5 Great & free games you are not playing now. (2007)
As you can see, the list doesn’t include any posts from before 2006 because I wasn’t tracking the data back then. Of the top 10 posts, I wrote four of them -– all circa 2006-2007. I guess I’ve been slacking since then 😉
Happy Anniversary (Birthday?). Here’s to the future and keeping the conversation going for many more years.
Thanks Rob
I am looking forward to the next eight years.
Best.
But Om, you got the best tip back in 2006, with your post :
3 Forget iPhone, Think Google Phone (2006)
“The Observer of London is reporting that Google might be working with HTC…”
Well, 3 years later, here it is.
Loic
I got lucky I guess. Also thanks for the invite to Le Web 2009. I had a fantastic time.
WIshing you 8 x 8 more years. Keep on keepin’ on.
From an avid reader.
Thanks Michael. I appreciate the kind sentiments.
Congratulations Om & Team! I remember discovering your original site around 2002 and feeling like I had stumbled into a world of tech insider knowledge. It quickly became my primary source to read up on new trends. It still is and value your perspective more each day.
And we love having GigaOm as our downstairs neighbors!
Kent
thanks for the kind words. I am glad you and I are neighbors. Lot of interesting conversations, though hopefully it won’t mean that you stop reading the blog 🙂
Congrats Om!
Thanks Ted. It is the blog which brought us together and looking forward to continued relationship. appreciate your insights and guidance.
Happy blogiversary! I am thrilled every day to be part of this special family. Thank you, Om, for making the web dynamic.
James
It is a pleasure to work with you and enjoy every minute of it. I guess the upside of the blog: making new friends like you and bringing them into the fold. 🙂
@Om,
I must congratulate you and your team for building an audience of “intelligent & engaged” readers over the past 8 years. I have only been a member of the GigaOM audience for some 3+ years, but I must say that I think the most engaging and insightful audience is right here (versus other technology blogs and commentary systems). Congrats to you and your team for 8 years of thought provoking analysis and insights.
All the best.
Om,
Congratulations on eight and wish for many more to come. Keep up the excellent journalistic content and I am sure, many more will come!
Happy Anniversary, and kudos to GigaOm for its understanding of the moment and its sense of the future. It’s this vision that has made me a new eager reader of GigaOm. Please keep it up.
Hi Heath
Thanks for you kind words of encouragement. We will strive to do better for you all.
Team Om,
Hearty Congratulations! All of you are doing a magnificent job. Your content speaks for itself.
I used to wander multiple sites for information to update myself about the latest trends, after I discovered GigaOm through a friend there was never a need to look at other sites. Well, I do occasionally visit them for a differing opinion.
Looking forward to many more years of continued blogging….. Keep up the good work..
cheers
Ashwin
Om – Happy anniversary and best wishes for the future.
And did you notice this. After 8 years, your blog network has exactly 8 components (7 blogs + GigaOm Pro).
Keep going strong.
Congrats, Om. Eight years is a long time. I was hoping to see one of my old posts in that top 10 list but I think they’re all pre-2007. Old school.
Matt “mobile playa” Maier
What a delightful surprise. I guess we need to get together and see if we can get you in the top ten for the next 8 years. Thanks for stopping by!
Pre-2006, that is…
Congratulations!
I was here daily for the last 3 years and appreciate your writing very much, especially about VoIP, as you know. Your MagicJack still brings lots of traffic to my blog, only because I commented and and sent a trackback link. 🙂
Thank you!
Markus
Now we have to meet in person and things would be awesome 🙂
enjoy the next 8. congrats
Congratulations. I read very few blogs – excepting almost everything associated with Om and GigaOm. Value is always present. As is the feeling that human beings are at work.
You provide wonderful leadership, Om.
Congrats Om, I can’t remember when I first visited this site but it must have been a short time after you started it. Here’s to another 8 years
Thanks Nik. Now if you could get back to blogging, things be awesome 🙂
Congrats Om. You are an inspiration to new blogger like us. We look up you and GigaOm. Wish you all the success in your future efforts.
As a writer of Download Squad, an AOL-owned blog, I frown wholeheartedly at thee, Om.
For shame; you should be beyond generalising by this stage.
Are you part of the SEED program? Actually all Engadget-type properties are not part of the whole “content factory” plan, from what I hear. Of course, you could come and write for us 😉
Oh, I’m glad that warranted a response 🙂 I’m told you already took one of our writers — so you either like our ‘automated content’, or you’re just being sensational for the sake of it.
(I kid, I kid.)
No, I’m not part of the SEED program.
You know as well as I do that AOL/WIN own some ‘proper’ sites — it would be good to differentiate between us, and whatever the SEED project generates.
(And happy birthday!)
Hey Om,
Great comment, and loving the blog!
Cheers,
Praz
http://www.socialwizz.com
Congrats Om, you’re one of the very few sites that I consider daily reading. Quality journalism is still an art form, no matter what the technology. Your team has done a great job with delivering timely and interesting posts. The changes and additions to the GigaOm network over the years reflect your committment to quality. Here’s to 8 more years!
There are plenty of non-cookie cutter blogs, at least outside of the PC/Gadget/Web tech worlds (e.g. CAD bloggers such as Deelip at http://www.deelip.com/) — that’s the kind of blog I read. But you can’t make a living off of this type of blog.
I’ve been following Gigaom for a long time, so:
Congratulations!
Tony,
One of my personal favorite is Unclutterer. It is pretty awesome to read and learn. Little but of tech as well. Try it out.
Wish you best of Luck GigaOm Team !
Congrats on the anniversary. (8 years? Holy cow.)
So, c’mon – make a few predictions of what life will be like 8 years from now?
what’s not to like about the chassis on a Kia!?
Om,
Congrats on the 8 yr anniversary. having blogged for 3+ years myself, I realize how much effort and discipline it takes to be blogging for 8 years. Not to mention the stress that goes with it.
Here’s to you and a happy – healthy 2010 🙂
Congratulations on being an example of the ever evolving new media entities. The similarities between Cyberdine and what demandmedia is doing is creepy but at the same time sound logic. If quality did come about – it wouldnt be a consequence of a concerted effort – one of the human kind – which is precisely why there are only a few blogs that are well read – this being one of those that pulls “readers” due to shear gravity. All the best for the next chapter on your venture. Now if we can only figure out what the physical paper must transform into to survive / coexist with its online contenders…
Congratulations on lucky 8! Hard to believe. Keep up the journalistic integrity notably lagging in the blogosphere.
And I thought I was a blogging veteran with five years under my belt. 🙂 Om, you were one of the first blogs that I read, and continue to read. Congrats on eight great years.
Mark
Hey Om, congrats few people have achieved what you’ve done on this “market”… and sorry to be late to congratulate you 🙂
BTW, i’ve crossed the 8 year mark2 weeks ago 🙂
Congratulations my friend, here’s to the next 8!
Congratulations, Om! I’m on my eighth year too, so I know what it takes to stick it out. Your blog is still one of the ones I always read, so you must be doing something right 🙂
Om, Hearty Congratulations. I am regular reader of your blog.
Looking forward to many more years of continued blogging.
Cheers
Ravi
Om,
Congrats.
We would love to be part of the network.
Start few polls on tech topics.
Hapy Birthday to you om,and suckses for you.
You can tour in indonesia with enjoy,”please”
Best of Luck for future 🙂 ..I love reading what you write..
Congrats Om and team!
Interesting pattern- 7 out of your top 10 posts are about gadgets and phones.
Maybe we should be seeing more focus of those, in the years to come.
Happy belated birthday! Over the course of those years I have traveled through, but am now a regular. Being interested in mobile 8 years ago, there was not a lot of information out there. We now of course have quite the party going on.
My blog reading has had its ups and downs, due to time constraints, but I am always happy to come back to read your
unique comments on our fast moving universe…
Looking forward to many more years
Moshe
Thanks for being the new media equivalent New York Times or Newsweek. It’s good that somebody is writing actually high quality stuff.