VOIP Watch: In his post, prompted by a long chat with some reporter from a major publication, Andy writes –

They are not only breaking stories, they are each providing outstanding content about the spaces they cover from a truely journalist first, fair is fair, and facts may mess up their story, but they report accurately and provide well written commentary. In a word, they are today’s Press.

He was talking about folks like me and Rafat Ali. In grand tradition of blogging lovefests, I would like to thank Andy for including me in this long post, and to that I say – Andy I have become quite a fan of your blog. You are doing yeoman’s work with it. I would like to add my two cents if you folks indulge me.I have a day job at Business 2.0 which keeps in Trussardis and Grey Goose. I love writing for a monthly magazine, for it allows me to indulge in careful analysis and long musing sessions at the neighborhood coffee bar.

I personally see my blog as a way to extend my brand, and a way to build a community around my writings. It is a way to let readers know that my involvement with a story does not end the minute magazine goes to press. I normally don’t only write a story I am passionate about, whether it is exposing a scandal or simply loving a new piece of software. Those who are gracious enough to read my blog, I think get a sense of this. Its almost like I am thinking out loud. In short, there is method to this madness – whether it is original posts, or simply links. These are bits rattling in this giant empty drum I call my head.

A lot of my peers perhaps don’t understand the importance of the feedback loop. When Charlie Sierra tells me something, I go chase it and think about it and if convinced, write about it. In short, my readers become part of the story/thought process. And that is invaluable. Writing an article for the magazine is like giving a speech – long, mostly lonely and scary process. Blogging, however is like going to neighborhood pub, and having a heated and lively discussion with pals who have similar interests.

Anyway I think I have rambled on too long for this post – got to go back to feature writing.