It is precise, but only by incredibly low standards of precision. Any context is missing from the headline, so you may as well use a meter stick to measure the thickness of paper and call that precise and to the point.
I'm very impressed, Jeff, that a moderator would criticize AI's writing. It shows independent thought and opinions, rather than towing the company line. Wow. Good for you.
My guess is that Kasper takes these comments into account when dealing with his writers. Journalistic integrity is everything - if AI gets known for the opposite, it will lose credibility.
OTOH, a good hatchet piece is very entertaining and appeals to a certain segment of the audience. I'd love to see DED cut loose to do what he does best, but only if his stuff is clearly labeled as opinion or editorial. He can be extremely entertaining when he unleashes vitriol against Microsoft and Google, and the only big problem is when his opinion pieces get presented as news.
Also, if he wrote editorials, he would not be forced to wait for new ("news") developments. He could, at any time, hate on Google, without having to wait for a specific opening. In that context he could write "why Google is evil" or "why Microsoft is crap" any time he wanted to. Think about it Kasper. You and DED could have the best of both worlds - journalistic integrity for news, and click-bait any time you want more advertising dollars.
I'm very impressed, Jeff, that a moderator would criticize AI's writing. It shows independent thought and opinions, rather than towing the company line. Wow. Good for you.
Keep in mind that I don't make my points to impress anyone.
This kind of headline writing might be status quo for journalism, but that doesn't mean I have to like it, and that doesn't mean it should be acceptable. I'm well aware that a headline can only be so long, but it's either lazy or misused creativity in my opinion. Heck, just one extra word in the headline would make it far more accurate:
"MS exec shocked to find dev interest in Windows Phone 7"
don't think readers would be less interest in the story, a lot more precise, a lot more to the point and it is still concise.
Keep in mind that I don't make my points to impress anyone.
This kind of headline writing might be status quo for journalism, but that doesn't mean I have to like it, and that doesn't mean it should be acceptable. I'm well aware that a headline can only be so long, but it's either lazy or misused creativity in my opinion. Heck, just one extra word in the headline would make it far more accurate:
"MS exec shocked to find dev interest in Windows Phone 7"
don't think readers would be less interest in the story, a lot more precise, a lot more to the point and it is still concise.
Given that DED, who is a regular contributor, is a consistent critic of Microsoft and Apple supporter, and that he has an unerring knack for ironic hyperbole, the headline is spot-on.
Any review of the market from the introduction of the iPhone until today shows that Microsoft has righteously squandered their marketshare diddling around at Redmond trying to (on one hand) minimize both iOS and Android impact, then capitulating that "OK they maybe have a small impact" to "OK we goofed our marketshare has gone from respectable to ridiculously small and we are struggling to remedy our egregious faux pas".
And DED (whether you agree with his methods and writing style or no) has been a consistent champion of correcting idiocy in regards to Apple's position in the market - and one of the few technology observers who has consistently and spiritedly done so. So yeah, criticize the writing style and approach if you will, but aside from a small handful of others who have remained strong Apple advocates since the early days, he has done more to publically defend Apple than most anyone commenting here.
And yeah he waxes enthusiastic perhaps too often in his sarcasm and irony, but that's more interesting to read than some hedging droner who has to make-up cautionary side notes or apologies in a half-assed effort to appear "balanced". This is note a mainstream journalism site - it is essentially a fan blog with pseudo-journalistic overtones. Anyone expecting WSJ level stuff here needs to seriously get over themselves (not targeted at you Jeff - general comment).
Enjoy the DED stuff for what it is fer cryin' out loud. It is hyperbole wrapped in irony dressed with facts and ladled with sarcasm. You don't like spicy - move on down the buffet line - there's something for everyone here. But don't block the selection for those of us who enjoy spicy.
This kind of headline writing might be status quo for journalism, but that doesn't mean I have to like it, and that doesn't mean it should be acceptable.
Even the mods bash Dilger's writing!
It's beyond me why you guys at AI just don't mark Dilger's obvious opinion pieces as such.
Let him spew forth with all the vitriolic hatred toward Google and Microsoft that his little fingers can muster (it can, at times, be quite entertaining) just don't try to pass it off as news.
AI already tag articles with Breaking and Feature. Why not simply tag these opinion pieces as Opinion or Editorial?
Enjoy the DED stuff for what it is fer cryin' out loud. It is hyperbole wrapped in irony dressed with facts and ladled with sarcasm. You don't like spicy - move on down the buffet line - there's something for everyone here. But don't block the selection for those of us who enjoy spicy.
What you described is basically tabloid style. It's one thing to not be WSJ style, it's another to be tabloid style. This site is an odd mix of both extremes, either using esoteric, stuffy words in an unfortunate clumsy way, or "spicy" if I go by your description.
What you described is basically tabloid style. It's one thing to not be WSJ style, it's another to be tabloid style. This site is an odd mix of both extremes, either using esoteric, stuffy words in an unfortunate clumsy way, or "spicy" if I go by your description.
If you single out DED as a sole contrbutor - then you can easily make that claim. But that means you ignore Katie, Sam, Josh and the rest of the writers, including the ubiquitous Appleinsider Staff. As DED is one contributor among many - he is in the same category as the Macalope is for MacWorld, or the endpage commentary for most popular magazines. Should there be a Commentary tag like "Breaking" etc.? Probably. But anyone with a modicum of intelligence can read immediately (as a number of critics here are eager to point out) the commentary style of DED. The site should be a mix of styles because that makes it more interesting to read - whether you agree with the commentary writing style or not.
Different is good Jeff. Mixture is good - it broadens the audience attracted and gives the trolls plenty of fodder to froth over. And ultimately while it IS Appleinsider ( the sell-line in the advertising talks about this site being about "all things Apple"), it still is not dis-similar to Wired commentary, or SAI commentary, The Street commentary or ZDNet commentary - and should be arguably given the same latitude by those who support the site. The critics will carp and gibber as they do - and that's ok. This categorically is NOT a news site - it is a news and rumors site. It is "all things Apple". Including coverage and/or criticism of Apple competitors, supporters and so on.
If you single out DED as a sole contrbutor - then you can easily make that claim.
I was singling DED out. The other contributors aren't a problem in my opinion. I don't know why you bring them up.
Quote:
But that means you ignore Katie, Sam, Josh and the rest of the writers, including the ubiquitous Appleinsider Staff. As DED is one contributor among many - he is in the same category as the Macalope is for MacWorld, or the endpage commentary for most popular magazines. Should there be a Commentary tag like "Breaking" etc.? Probably. But anyone with a modicum of intelligence can read immediately (as a number of critics here are eager to point out) the commentary style of DED. The site should be a mix of styles because that makes it more interesting to read - whether you agree with the commentary writing style or not.
Different is good Jeff. Mixture is good - it broadens the audience attracted and gives the trolls plenty of fodder to froth over. And ultimately while it IS Appleinsider ( the sell-line in the advertising talks about this site being about "all things Apple"), it still is not dis-similar to Wired commentary, or SAI commentary, The Street commentary or ZDNet commentary - and should be arguably given the same latitude by those who support the site. The critics will carp and gibber as they do - and that's ok. This categorically is NOT a news site - it is a news and rumors site. It is "all things Apple". Including coverage and/or criticism of Apple competitors, supporters and so on.
Still, that's ignoring or defending that DED is using the disreputable tabloid style of writing. I don't think he's at all like the Macalope, at least Macalope is whimsical, I don't see that in DED's writing, I just see someone that has an axe to grind and grinds on it any chance he can.
What you described is basically tabloid style. It's one thing to not be WSJ style, it's another to be tabloid style. This site is an odd mix of both extremes, either using esoteric, stuffy words in an unfortunate clumsy way, or "spicy" if I go by your description.
Yahoo doesn't have a search of their own anymore, they use Bing in the background. So there's no use trying Bing if Yahoo doesn't give you what you want.
Yahoo doesn't have a search of their own anymore, they use Bing in the background. So there's no use trying Bing if Yahoo doesn't give you what you want.
Can you please explain what that has to do with this discussion?
Comments
It is precise, but only by incredibly low standards of precision. Any context is missing from the headline, so you may as well use a meter stick to measure the thickness of paper and call that precise and to the point.
I'm very impressed, Jeff, that a moderator would criticize AI's writing. It shows independent thought and opinions, rather than towing the company line. Wow. Good for you.
My guess is that Kasper takes these comments into account when dealing with his writers. Journalistic integrity is everything - if AI gets known for the opposite, it will lose credibility.
OTOH, a good hatchet piece is very entertaining and appeals to a certain segment of the audience. I'd love to see DED cut loose to do what he does best, but only if his stuff is clearly labeled as opinion or editorial. He can be extremely entertaining when he unleashes vitriol against Microsoft and Google, and the only big problem is when his opinion pieces get presented as news.
Also, if he wrote editorials, he would not be forced to wait for new ("news") developments. He could, at any time, hate on Google, without having to wait for a specific opening. In that context he could write "why Google is evil" or "why Microsoft is crap" any time he wanted to. Think about it Kasper. You and DED could have the best of both worlds - journalistic integrity for news, and click-bait any time you want more advertising dollars.
I'm very impressed, Jeff, that a moderator would criticize AI's writing. It shows independent thought and opinions, rather than towing the company line. Wow. Good for you.
Keep in mind that I don't make my points to impress anyone.
This kind of headline writing might be status quo for journalism, but that doesn't mean I have to like it, and that doesn't mean it should be acceptable. I'm well aware that a headline can only be so long, but it's either lazy or misused creativity in my opinion. Heck, just one extra word in the headline would make it far more accurate:
"MS exec shocked to find dev interest in Windows Phone 7"
don't think readers would be less interest in the story, a lot more precise, a lot more to the point and it is still concise.
Keep in mind that I don't make my points to impress anyone.
This kind of headline writing might be status quo for journalism, but that doesn't mean I have to like it, and that doesn't mean it should be acceptable. I'm well aware that a headline can only be so long, but it's either lazy or misused creativity in my opinion. Heck, just one extra word in the headline would make it far more accurate:
"MS exec shocked to find dev interest in Windows Phone 7"
don't think readers would be less interest in the story, a lot more precise, a lot more to the point and it is still concise.
Given that DED, who is a regular contributor, is a consistent critic of Microsoft and Apple supporter, and that he has an unerring knack for ironic hyperbole, the headline is spot-on.
Any review of the market from the introduction of the iPhone until today shows that Microsoft has righteously squandered their marketshare diddling around at Redmond trying to (on one hand) minimize both iOS and Android impact, then capitulating that "OK they maybe have a small impact" to "OK we goofed our marketshare has gone from respectable to ridiculously small and we are struggling to remedy our egregious faux pas".
And DED (whether you agree with his methods and writing style or no) has been a consistent champion of correcting idiocy in regards to Apple's position in the market - and one of the few technology observers who has consistently and spiritedly done so. So yeah, criticize the writing style and approach if you will, but aside from a small handful of others who have remained strong Apple advocates since the early days, he has done more to publically defend Apple than most anyone commenting here.
And yeah he waxes enthusiastic perhaps too often in his sarcasm and irony, but that's more interesting to read than some hedging droner who has to make-up cautionary side notes or apologies in a half-assed effort to appear "balanced". This is note a mainstream journalism site - it is essentially a fan blog with pseudo-journalistic overtones. Anyone expecting WSJ level stuff here needs to seriously get over themselves (not targeted at you Jeff - general comment).
Enjoy the DED stuff for what it is fer cryin' out loud. It is hyperbole wrapped in irony dressed with facts and ladled with sarcasm. You don't like spicy - move on down the buffet line - there's something for everyone here. But don't block the selection for those of us who enjoy spicy.
This kind of headline writing might be status quo for journalism, but that doesn't mean I have to like it, and that doesn't mean it should be acceptable.
Even the mods bash Dilger's writing!
It's beyond me why you guys at AI just don't mark Dilger's obvious opinion pieces as such.
Let him spew forth with all the vitriolic hatred toward Google and Microsoft that his little fingers can muster (it can, at times, be quite entertaining) just don't try to pass it off as news.
AI already tag articles with Breaking and Feature. Why not simply tag these opinion pieces as Opinion or Editorial?
Enjoy the DED stuff for what it is fer cryin' out loud. It is hyperbole wrapped in irony dressed with facts and ladled with sarcasm. You don't like spicy - move on down the buffet line - there's something for everyone here. But don't block the selection for those of us who enjoy spicy.
What you described is basically tabloid style. It's one thing to not be WSJ style, it's another to be tabloid style. This site is an odd mix of both extremes, either using esoteric, stuffy words in an unfortunate clumsy way, or "spicy" if I go by your description.
What you described is basically tabloid style. It's one thing to not be WSJ style, it's another to be tabloid style. This site is an odd mix of both extremes, either using esoteric, stuffy words in an unfortunate clumsy way, or "spicy" if I go by your description.
If you single out DED as a sole contrbutor - then you can easily make that claim. But that means you ignore Katie, Sam, Josh and the rest of the writers, including the ubiquitous Appleinsider Staff. As DED is one contributor among many - he is in the same category as the Macalope is for MacWorld, or the endpage commentary for most popular magazines. Should there be a Commentary tag like "Breaking" etc.? Probably. But anyone with a modicum of intelligence can read immediately (as a number of critics here are eager to point out) the commentary style of DED. The site should be a mix of styles because that makes it more interesting to read - whether you agree with the commentary writing style or not.
Different is good Jeff. Mixture is good - it broadens the audience attracted and gives the trolls plenty of fodder to froth over. And ultimately while it IS Appleinsider ( the sell-line in the advertising talks about this site being about "all things Apple"), it still is not dis-similar to Wired commentary, or SAI commentary, The Street commentary or ZDNet commentary - and should be arguably given the same latitude by those who support the site. The critics will carp and gibber as they do - and that's ok. This categorically is NOT a news site - it is a news and rumors site. It is "all things Apple". Including coverage and/or criticism of Apple competitors, supporters and so on.
Who in their right mind will say no, even if you don't intend to code for 7 you'd still take the free phone.
At least it'll saturate eBay and bring the prices down.
If you single out DED as a sole contrbutor - then you can easily make that claim.
I was singling DED out. The other contributors aren't a problem in my opinion. I don't know why you bring them up.
But that means you ignore Katie, Sam, Josh and the rest of the writers, including the ubiquitous Appleinsider Staff. As DED is one contributor among many - he is in the same category as the Macalope is for MacWorld, or the endpage commentary for most popular magazines. Should there be a Commentary tag like "Breaking" etc.? Probably. But anyone with a modicum of intelligence can read immediately (as a number of critics here are eager to point out) the commentary style of DED. The site should be a mix of styles because that makes it more interesting to read - whether you agree with the commentary writing style or not.
Different is good Jeff. Mixture is good - it broadens the audience attracted and gives the trolls plenty of fodder to froth over. And ultimately while it IS Appleinsider ( the sell-line in the advertising talks about this site being about "all things Apple"), it still is not dis-similar to Wired commentary, or SAI commentary, The Street commentary or ZDNet commentary - and should be arguably given the same latitude by those who support the site. The critics will carp and gibber as they do - and that's ok. This categorically is NOT a news site - it is a news and rumors site. It is "all things Apple". Including coverage and/or criticism of Apple competitors, supporters and so on.
Still, that's ignoring or defending that DED is using the disreputable tabloid style of writing. I don't think he's at all like the Macalope, at least Macalope is whimsical, I don't see that in DED's writing, I just see someone that has an axe to grind and grinds on it any chance he can.
What you described is basically tabloid style. It's one thing to not be WSJ style, it's another to be tabloid style. This site is an odd mix of both extremes, either using esoteric, stuffy words in an unfortunate clumsy way, or "spicy" if I go by your description.
Yahoo doesn't have a search of their own anymore, they use Bing in the background. So there's no use trying Bing if Yahoo doesn't give you what you want.
Yahoo doesn't have a search of their own anymore, they use Bing in the background. So there's no use trying Bing if Yahoo doesn't give you what you want.
Can you please explain what that has to do with this discussion?
Can you please explain what that has to do with this discussion?
Absolutely nothing it seems. I'm somehow replied to completely the wrong topic. I don't know how that happened.