IT'S time to confess: For a writer with a column about tech, I'm not very technical.
I don't write software. I don't code. I don't create websites. While I've replaced the odd hard drive or video card and installed a few operating systems, I'm not the person you want to call up to fix your computer.
I'm no more technically skilled than you. My value comes from too much frustrating time troubleshooting and finding solutions for the frequent problems tech throws at us. Plus I read tech sites and watch tech-related podcasts almost every day. Some people eat up celebrity blogs, I like tech.
Here's a rundown of tech blogs and podcasts you might find helpful, in increasing order of techiness.
. General tech news PCMag: A general tech site that covers computers, tablets, phones and home theatre with features, how to advice and reviews. Solid and reliable. Writers to watch include Sascha Segan on mobile phones, Tim Bajarin on tech industry analysis and John Dvorak on crankiness. pcmag.com
CNET: Covers the same territory as PCMag with more video content and popular podcasts, which explains its acquisition by CBS a few years back. Slick but does one too many "top 10 tech device" slideshows meant to maximize traffic. cnet.com
Ars Technica: A personal favourite, Ars Technica maintains its roots as an online news source for IT and tech professionals but also offers excellent articles for general readers with tech reviews, advice for topics like online security and science reporting, particularly on climate change. Straightforward, smart and unpretentious. artstechnica.com
The Verge: Smart, hip and with a beautifully designed site, The Verge is sometimes too smart and hip when it decides to read like a newsletter from an exclusive club. That said, few other sites match its ability to consistently generate thoughtful features on the intersection of tech, culture and politics. theverge.com
. Web-based tech networks
TWiT: Founded by tech broadcasting pioneer Leo Laporte, it's grown from a one-man shop to a thriving online broadcast network based in California. It features more than two dozen shows available in video and audio form including The McLaughlin Group-style punditry, advice on Windows, iOS and Android devices, home theatre, news and deep industry gossip about Silicon Valley. My favourites among its podcasts include This Week in Tech and Windows Weekly. twit.tv
Revision3: Similar to TWiT except with a broader selection of shows covering popular and geek culture. Its flagship tech show, and the one I watch, is Tekzilla with hosts Patrick Norton, Veronica Belmont and Roger Herron offering advice and answering viewer questions useful to beginners and enthusiasts. Rates high on my trustworthiness scale. revision3.com/tekzilla
. Tech blogs Engadget: The granddaddy of tech blogs, this is nothing less than a continual rundown of gadget gossip, news and reviews with science and general tech news and opinion.
Recent headlines give you a sense of what you'll find: "Droid Ultra surfaces in leaked photo," "Video claims to show budget iPhone," "Microsoft shutting down MSN TV this September," "Ask Engadget: best smartphone for a teenager," "Samsung Galaxy
S 4 Google Play edition: what's different," and "NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden offered asylum." It's a bit like a buffet. Eat one post, and you'll keep eating more. engadget.com
MobileSyrup: The sole Canadian entry in a category dominated by American tech blogs, this site sticks to mobile phones and tablet information north of the 49th with thoroughness and typical Canadian modesty. Looking for a new phone or wanting to change data plans with Rogers or Telus? This site will help. mobilesyrup.com
Barry Link is editor of the Vancouver Courier newspaper and a geek enthusiast. Email him at blink@vancourier. com or follow him on Twitter @trueblinkit.
