Who's writing the front page articles?

HarryPot · Jun 6, 2011

The latest news from the front page and the blog, the ones added by MacRumors, seem to have a very, as one user said, "irritating" tone in them.

Some are just trying to be friendly, but by doing so, they just turn out feeling out of place, specially in a serious forum like this. I've always liked the straight news I find here, I don't really want much opinions from the first post. Just news. The latest news posts just seem out of place in this forum.

Anyone else noticing this? I'm on my iPad, so I can't post easily many links or copy text. But some examples can be seen in most of the announcements of today's WWDC and the article from Verizon and the iOS 5.

Doctor Q · Jun 6, 2011

Each article has a byline so you can check who wrote it. I tend to recognize the writing style of each editor without even looking for the byline. They each have their individual style, which doesn't bother me.

It also doesn't surprise me that some readers prefer a just-the-facts reporter style and some readers are fine with a more colloquial or personal blogging style.

Littleodie914 · Jun 7, 2011

I have to agree with the OP. I hate to single out anyone in particular, but the articles written by Jordon Golson are pretty bad. Bad enough that I noticed just skimming the article:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1165688/

A few snippets that I thought sounded pretty unprofessional (un-MacRumors):

...Some iOS developers are making bank...

...and, if your app is good enough, Apple might just give it some sweet, sweet lovin'...

...Apple has cleared a sweet $4 million off...

C'mon guys, you're better than this.

rdowns · Jun 7, 2011

Agreed. ^^

GGJstudios · Jun 7, 2011

It sounds like some are endorsing MacRumors Censorship. If you don't like an individual's writing style, don't read it! It's no different than anything you find on the web. You can't please all the people all the time. Read what you like and ignore the rest, if it irritates you so much!

arn · Jun 7, 2011

Jordan just started this week. I agree some of the style is a bit unusual for the site, but give it a bit of an adjustment time.

arn

fungus · Jun 7, 2011

I'm more bothered by the sharp increase in typos and grammatical errors of late than the type of "style" thing quoted above.

rdowns · Jun 7, 2011

fungus said:
I'm more bothered by the sharp increase in typos and grammatical errors of late than the type of "style" thing quoted above.

I've seen quite a few too.

For example, I reported the errors in the iMessage article where it's referred to several times as iMessages.

arn · Jun 7, 2011

rdowns said:
I've seen quite a few too.

For example, I reported the errors in the iMessage article where it's referred to several times as iMessages.

Where did you submit these reports?

arn

rdowns · Jun 7, 2011

arn said:
Where did you submit these reports?

arn

Post reports.

Just saw errors (html tags showing) on the iOS 5 works just fine on iPhone 3GS article.

arn · Jun 7, 2011

rdowns said:
Post reports.

Just saw errors (html tags showing) on the iOS 5 works just fine on iPhone 3GS article.

fwiw, "report post" doesn't go to anyone who can change the front page article text.

best way to submit error issues is webmaster@macrumors.com

arn

rdowns · Jun 7, 2011

arn said:
fwiw, "report post" doesn't go to anyone who can change the front page article text.

best way to submit error issues is webmaster@macrumors.com

arn

I figured they would get the report to you or Eric or whoever. Email noted for future use.

Littleodie914 · Jun 7, 2011

GGJstudios said:
It sounds like some are endorsing MacRumors Censorship. If you don't like an individual's writing style, don't read it! It's no different than anything you find on the web. You can't please all the people all the time. Read what you like and ignore the rest, if it irritates you so much!

There's no need to get testy, we're not bringing this up to make anyone feel bad. I've been here for 7 years, and I just want to help MacRumors maintain the level of succinct and professional news that it has always delivered.

I don't promote censorship, that's not what this is about. This isn't some random individual in the forum, it's an (I assume) hired and paid employee who is writing articles for the front page, and is thus part of the face of MacRumors.

Please don't turn your back on the community just because you take offense to our opinions.

I readily acknowledge that others will certainly enjoy Jordan's writing style, but a friendly discussion certainly shouldn't be frowned upon.

d4rkc4sm · Jun 7, 2011

i commented about the style being douchy in the main news thread but it got deleted by the mods. i'll be sure to mention its douchy in the site forum feedback section instead.

arn said:
Jordan just started this week. I agree some of the style is a bit unusual for the site, but give it a bit of an adjustment time.

arn

no free iphone for him

184550 · Jun 7, 2011

Littleodie914 said:
There's no need to get testy, we're not bringing this up to make anyone feel bad. I've been here for 7 years, and I just want to help MacRumors maintain the level of succinct and professional news that it has always delivered.

I don't promote censorship, that's not what this is about. This isn't some random individual in the forum, it's an (I assume) hired and paid employee who is writing articles for the front page, and is thus part of the face of MacRumors.

Please don't turn your back on the community just because you take offense to our opinions. I readily acknowledge that others will certainly enjoy Jordan's writing style, but a friendly discussion certainly shouldn't be frowned upon.

I agree. IMO, there is a marked difference between a forum user/ poster and someone who is working for MR.

While one can simply ignore an offensive/ disliked/ idiotic forum user/ poster, one cannot as simply ignore XX percentage of Front Page posts generated by a staff member.

HarryPot · Jun 7, 2011

Littleodie914 said:
I don't promote censorship, that's not what this is about. This isn't some random individual in the forum, it's an (I assume) hired and paid employee who is writing articles for the front page, and is thus part of the face of MacRumors.

I agree. Besides, in my opinion a news sites should stay the most neutral possible when giving news. Unless its some kind of review of a product, of course.

It's clear that Jordan knows how to write, I would certainly enjoy reading his posts in a products user review, were the poster opinion is expected. And I'm sure eventually he'll find a balance between this style and the one normally used for news posts. I was just trying to point out something I feel changed, and that it can be improved.

Doctor Q · Jun 7, 2011

d4rkc4sm said:
i commented about the style being douchy in the main news thread but it got deleted by the mods.

Criticizing the writing or the site isn't against the rules. If you say it's OK I'll explain here why your post was removed. You can also PM me or submit a Contact form if you don't know and want a private answer.

Littleodie914 · Jun 16, 2011

arn said:
Jordan just started this week. I agree some of the style is a bit unusual for the site, but give it a bit of an adjustment time.

arn

Thanks for chiming in, arn. We're generally a patient folk.

I just wanted to get back to this and congratulate Jordan on the new position, and on a very well-written article concerning the Senator Franken bill:

https://www.macrumors.com/2011/06/15/sen-franken-introduces-bill-to-keep-your-location-safe/

Keep up the nice work Jordan.

maflynn · Jun 16, 2011

GGJstudios said:
It sounds like some are endorsing MacRumors Censorship. If you don't like an individual's writing style, don't read it! It's no different than anything you find on the web. You can't please all the people all the time. Read what you like and ignore the rest, if it irritates you so much!

I don't think complaining about a person's tone qualifies as censorship. I think people are complaining about the composition and what ultimately seems to put people off. There's a difference between wanting the writing expunged to perhaps altering what he rights so its more professional.

rdowns · Jun 16, 2011

I still think the guy is a Domino's shill.

DeaconGraves · Jun 16, 2011

Add me to the list of people who are really not liking Golson's writing style. Not to mention the way he handled the Domino's pizza post the other day.

I've always liked MacRumors because, while they are discussing rumors, the posts by the staff have a strong "news" approach to them. The commentary is left to the commentators, and its always fun to see the MacRumors staff add their comments on the forum as well.

But Golson's posts come across as "baiting" for comments. Not necessary. Let the story generate comments, not the editorializing.

If I wanted that kind of writing, I would stilil be reading TUAW. Dear Macrumors, please don't become TUAW.

AdeFowler · Jun 16, 2011

Add me as well

rhett7660 · Jun 16, 2011

DeaconGraves said:
Add me to the list of people who are really not liking Golson's writing style. Not to mention the way he handled the Domino's pizza post the other day.

I've always liked MacRumors because, while they are discussing rumors, the posts by the staff have a strong "news" approach to them. The commentary is left to the commentators, and its always fun to see the MacRumors staff add their comments on the forum as well.

But Golson's posts come across as "baiting" for comments. Not necessary. Let the story generate comments, not the editorializing.

If I wanted that kind of writing, I would stilil be reading TUAW. Dear Macrumors, please don't become TUAW.

Good god, I hope it doesn't come to this. One of the main reasons I only "glance" over articles at that site.

MacNut · Jun 16, 2011

Maybe I am not paying attention to the site much anymore but who is Jordan Golson? Is he a member or someone off the street?

Littleodie914 · Jun 17, 2011

MacNut said:
Maybe I am not paying attention to the site much anymore but who is Jordan Golson? Is he a member or someone off the street?

arn said:
Jordan just started this week. I agree some of the style is a bit unusual for the site, but give it a bit of an adjustment time.

arn

He's a recent hire for MacRumors, who writes articles for the front page along with arn and Eric.

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