After 13 years with The Mac Observer it’s time for me to hang up my Managing Editor hat and move on to new adventures and experiences. It’s a bittersweet change because I genuinely love everyone in the TMO Towers, but I’m also excited about what comes next.
I’ve had so many wonderful experiences with the whole team, and while I’ve put my editing skills to work on so many articles over the years, I feel like everyone I’ve worked with has plied their editing skills on me making me a better person.
Brad Cook was always there with the best jokes when we were crunching through heavy news days. Ricky Spero (thanks for coming back for one last visit) got me into podcasting by having me on the Weekly Roundup podcast—the show that later became Apple Context Machine.
Nancy Gravley is the example I always held up to prove age should never be a barrier to loving technology. She’s also the sweetest person you’ll ever meet.
Seeing John F. Braun rush up to me at CES with that intent look on his face was always a treat. I knew he was going to tell me about something cool I needed to check out and he has a near magical ability to find those interesting products everyone else was overlooking.
John Martellaro has an uncanny way of understanding what’s happening under the hood at Apple. He’s the gentleman I strive to be—except when he’s playing Cards Against Humanity, and maybe some day I can match his twisted skill.
My first time meeting Kelly Guimont was epic, as so many of my encounters at Macworld Expo were. She’ll always be my podcasting comrade and exactly who I wanted taking over Daily Observations. You have to ask Kelly to show off her radioactive ring.
I knew Melissa Holt for years before she joined the TMO team and was so happy when she came on board. She can explain easy and complex topics alike, and makes you feel OK when she shows you a trick you think you should’ve known years ago. Melissa would be my go-to if I didn’t know how to take care of my Mac myself.
You know life is good when you get to work with Bob “Dr. Mac” LeVitus. If you aren’t happy after spending the day with Bob then you’re doing something wrong. Bob is like concentrated smiles.
Charlotte Henry is proof the internet makes the world smaller in a good way, and that community isn’t constrained by borders or continents. She sees the bigger picture in the technology world. Getting to hang out together for the first time this year was one of the highlights from my trip to London.
The fresh perspective Andrew Orr brings to TMO is great because he keeps us old timers from getting too jaded. When I ask Andrew for his opinion on a topic it’s because I genuinely want to hear what he has to say.
It was always a treat for me when I’d get Adam Christianson out from behind the scenes and on Daily Observations. He always has something great to say, just like on his own Maccast podcast, and I love every minute I’ve spent with him at conferences.
Dave Hamilton is hands down one of the most compassionate people ever. He has your back—always. One of my favorite things is when we work through some esoteric technical problem and share that ah-ha moment when it all comes together. Those moments are so cool.
Bryan Chaffin and I have been through the best of times and worst of times together. One of the best experiences anyone can ever have is Bryan’s uncontrollable laughter when you catch him off guard with a really good joke. I’m glad that happened more than once on Apple Context Machine so there’s a record of just how awesome that is.
These people are all my friends and my family, and that’s not going to change even though it’s time for me to turn in the executive washroom key. It’s attached to a first generation iBook. Turns out that handle is perfect for a key lanyard.
And you, TMO’s wonderful readers and listeners, are part of my family, too. I always loved when someone would walk up to me at a conference and share their opinion on a topic I covered, or jump into a conversation from a podcast they listened to days or months ago. Podcasts are conversations that don’t always get to happen in real time and I love that listeners got I was having a conversation with them.
I’ll keep those conversations going on other podcasts and I’m always interested in your opinions, whether you agree with me or not.
This has been a wonderful ride and I’m glad I got to share it with all of you.
Jeff,
I generally dislike most editors, but I want you to know I’ve enjoyed working with you (and Bryan) far more than I enjoy most editors.
I know you’ll be successful in whatever you do next, but whatever it is I hope our paths cross again.
Best of luck at Smile.
Oh, and thanks for the kind words. 🙂
Party On Jeff!
Best wishes for the future!
Sorry to see you go Jeff. You’ve done a great job all these years and will be missed. MacWorld Expo brought so many of us Mac users together and we really enjoyed seeing each and every one there. I’ve missed that one event for so many years. All the best in your new endeavors in in the coming years. Look forward to hearing from you again.
Jeff words are not adequate to express my thanks for your many years hosting TMO’s Daily Observations podcast and my sadness at losing my weekday mornings with you. Listeners to TMO Daily Observations have lost much with your departure. You set the standard so high that it will be hard to find anyone who can fully or adequately fill your shoes. The warmth and wisdom you conveyed are missed. As saddened as I am by your departure, I wish you the best in your new pursuit.
Many thanks Jeff for keeping me so well informed about everything Apple over so many years!
Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish!
The end of an era. Jeff, I have enjoyed hearing you on these Mac Observer podcasts, as well as when you often guest star on another wonderful podcast that I listen to. The tMO Podcasts won’t be the same without you. Wishing you all the best in any and all future endeavors!
So long, and thanks for all the fish.
No words, Jeff! Wait, I lied, but that’s mostly pedantic. Thanks for everything you’ve done for us, with us, and to us. We will miss you, and yet we expect great things from you in the next phase of your life! Rock on, brother.
Thank you Jeff. You will be missed.
You know it’s weird. I haven’t ‘felt’ a goodbye in a long time. Because today, you just don’t say goodbye to people anymore. It’s so easy to stay in touch, that it’s more just the end of one experience or another. But hopefully, if you’re lucky, good people still find ways to find each other.
And despite that, I have a little lump of warm sad coal in my heart about your leaving (it’s sitting next to the regular large cold cold cold angry coal lump, keeping it company). I suspect I must have just picked it up vicariously passing through a strand or two of hear tugs in the TMO web.
You are a bright light Jeff. Wherever you go, people will be fortunate to be around it. I’ll very much miss you on ACM and TDO. And I strangely feel a touch jealous for your starting a new adventure.
It’s weird, but new big adventures, they are occasions. You only get so many. I’m hoping you have some great treats in your bindle, and that only good things come to meet you.
Thanks Jeff. Always enjoyed your instructions, comments, wit and wisdom(ish). Have fun.
Jeff introduced me to the wonderful world of Podcasts way back in the mid-naughties when I was rocking a new PowerMac G4 (Sawtooth) and he hosted Design Tools Monthly. From there, Jeff introduced me to Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and a myriad of other excellent Podcasts and TMO. Can’t thank you enough for welcoming me into your listenership (and readership) with open arms and friendly voice. You ROCK. Enjoy what the future holds 🙂
You are kind of the reason that I began to follow TMO. It’s not going to be quite the same but change is good, right?
Jeff, you’ve been an amazing colleague and friend. I’m going to miss your daily charm, humor and amazing editorial judgment. All the best in your new adventure. Make it so.
I am sorry to see you go! Fair winds and following seas.
Jeff:
I just wanted to say that it was a stab through the heart to hear that you were leaving TMO. I’m delighted to hear that it is for something exciting and rewarding. Permit me to add, although we’ve never met, your genuine warmth of character is palpable. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed your articles, posts and reviews. Your and Bryan’s ACM has been one of single favourite podcasts (I know, no accounting for taste) and your contributions to other podcasts, such as the iOS Show and your guest appearances on Chuck Joiner’s MacVoices have been substantive and enriching to the Apple community. You will be missed.
In parting, I’ll close with this traditional prayer from a lost Antarctic tribe:
May the sun be at your front, the wind at your back, and may you arrive at a place where you don’t have to wear pants.
Safe journeys, and be well.
Aw, dude! Thanks. :*(
We’re gonna miss you!!!
Best of luck wherever you may land.
Thanks for everything.
If TMO wasn’t here the Mac landscape would be a much less civilized place.