The open source way to truth
It involves the limit of spin and the responsibility of journalists.
Tech journalists are uniquely susceptible to spin. Because our sources are also our advertisers, publishers have to strike a balance to survive in the market.
Others may blame the price of ink, oil or paper for the demise of the print computer press. I believe it's because we got this balance wrong. We followed the advertisers rather than the readers.
The Web and open source give us all a chance to begin again, but you need to be part of the process. It's your choice on who to read and how to respond which determines the fate of this blog, and of every open source project.
By becoming a louder consumer, by telling us what works for you and what doesn't, by participating in the journalistic conversation, you can drive the market to a far greater degree than was possible a decade ago.
Remaining a passive consumer, or a passive reader, is no longer a useful option. Make choices, and make those choices known. You really do have the power to drive the technology train, in the era of open source
What that means for journalists is we should probably cover you more closely and vendors less so.
Write on.