There comes a time when every company needs to upgrade its corporate image, so I engaged the services of my friends at Brandwave.

If you’re reading us via RSS you can check out the results here to see our spruced up blog and updated “about” page. Enjoy!

Welcome to the new filtered! I’m not one to do things in half measures, y’see. A new career demands a new blog (powered by WordPress), a new look,  a new URL, and a renewed interest in blogging/podcasting et al. And make sure you pick up filtered‘s new RSS feed. In fact, anything new, I’m there.

However, we also still like some old stuff – I’ve imported all the content from my old site, which is all easily searchable.

Finally, I can now officially announce that this blog is one activity of Filtered Media, a company I have formed through which I am doing a bunch of cool freelance and consulting stuff. Check out the “about” page for more and if you’re feeling generous leave a comment to say Hi. I’d appreciate any good/bad feedback on the new site. Like all things, it’s a work in progress.

Enjoy!

There are either two people reading this blog, or the sign-in process required by TypeKey has turned many of you off sharing your insightful thoughts in the comments section. So, shhh, don’t tell the spammers but I’ve turned off the sign-in for the moment.

Drop a line and say hello, I know you’re out there…

Now into week two of 2006 working life and it’s already a blur. Of course, it doesn’t help that my big holiday project – a home restoration job – conformed to all the expected norms for a project of this type. Over budget, over time, over stressed. We’re living at the in-laws while I slave over painting picture rails, feature walls and ceilings during my “spare” time. Ayeee.

What’s that got to do with IT? Absolutely nothing. Interestingly there are few parallels between tradespeople and geeks. A few quotes & observations of various tradesmen I’ve worked with over the summer:

• You must ALWAYS talk on the job about your private life. In detail.
• Commercial radio must be played LOUD. "Blogs? Podcasts? Huh?"
• Start time varies between 6am and 7am. Lunch is at 10:30am. 3pm – gone.
• “Now, I don’t want to boast, but geez I’m a good painter/plasterer/plumber/carpenter…”
• “If you pay cash, I’ll cut my hourly rate by $10.”
• “One day? I never said it would take one day.”
• “It’s almost finished except for…”
• “See you tomorrow. If you like, I can also bring along a friend of mine. He’s a good painter.”

After eight years with IDG, I have decided it’s time to move on. I’ve been fortunate enough to be asked by the Australian Financial Review to come on board as its IT Editor. I’m excited about the opportunity to work with some really talented journalists, and take on a job highly regarded within IT media circles.

Interestingly enough, my new job is almost 100% print-focussed. Fairfax has a very successful online arm, FairfaxDigital, but that will not be my focus.

Strange for a blogger? Perhaps. But the point for me is I am returning to a profession I love. As I’ve argued before, I believe in the profession of journalism, I still love print, and thanks to this blog I can also keep a toe in the online waters.

I suspect my blogging will be fairly light over the coming weeks as I take a short break before starting work again. And it goes without saying that you should not  expect me to write much about Fairfax, at least from a Mark Jen perspective. I’m not one for betraying company confidence.

I leave behind an extremely talented crew at IDG both in Australia and overseas. I will miss many people, and truly wish them every success in the future.

PS. Before you ask, no this is not an April fools joke!