SFist on SFist
SFist would like to introduce something we think is a very, very first. A while back, we asked for an ombudsman (or public editor, if you will). And boy, did we get one. After dissing the poor guy, we realized he was a careful reader, and we decided that someone who cared enough to spend the time complaining was probably someone we wanted to have around. So we offer Matthew Newton to you as someone to complain to -- someone who shares your hopes and concerns that we will serve The City and environs. So please welcome the first blog ombudsman (Omblogsman? Blogbudsman?) ever. If we're wrong, please correct us, as we could use some advice on how this all works.
Matthew introduces himself, rants and raves a little after the jump.
SFist Jackson, Editor
Greetings, ladies and gentlemen. I'm Matthew, and I'll be your ombudsman for the evening. And for the forseeable future, as Chief SFist Jackson West was serious when he put the word out that SFist needed some, uh, ombudsing. I met Jackson at Kate O'Brien's for a pint, and it seemed from the start that I had the sort of independent bent the gig requires: Jackson asked if he could buy me a Budweiser, and after scanning the nearby taps, I said Hell No, but he could buy me a Harp. True.
I responded to Jackson's call in the first place because, as a longtime fan of Gothamist (does it sound too Kathy-Bates-in-Misery if I say I'm Jen Chung's #1 Fan?), I was excited about, and then disappointed by, the debut of SFist. In a cantankerous mood one day, I posted a critical comment on the site under the pseudonym "SFist_curmudgeon." I probably would not have continued in that vein, but: You won't find that first comment anywhere in the site's archives, because it done got disappeared by the man behind the curtain, if you know what I mean, which kinda made me blink and go, "Oh no you di-n't." I posted again. And again.
But it didn't feel right. Far, far better, when the opportunity arises, to join the team and pitch in and help out rather than sit on the sidelines pissing and moaning into a bullhorn about the plays being called. So here I am, all joined-up-like. And what is it exactly I'm meant to do? It's not altogether clear, because as far as any of us are aware, no critter like SFist has ever grown an ombudslike appendage.
I have been, and will remain, like many of you, a daily SFist reader, because I love the concept that drives the site, and because I love SF and the entire lovely area that surrounds it, where I've made my home for more than a decade now. I will pay special attention to reader feedback, both in the comments and in the email that flows to the staff via editor@sfist.com. Future dispatches from the ombudsman's office here at SFist will revolve around that feedback.
Since we've had precious few comments thus far, I'll just close out this report with my take on what's happened to SFist since I first started reading. In short, it's gotten better. Which was only certain to happen given the dedication of the coterie of contributors Jackson has assembled. These folks are finding their grooves, and there is some really nifty stuff rolling across the site these days. I was dubious at first about the recurring features, but many of them have really grown on me, and I don't mean like a fungus. I really dig it that Rita reads the weeklies for me. Makes room for better stuff on the shelf by the john. I sleep well at night knowing The Esseffecist is there to answer the vexing questions that would otherwise keep me up, like What really goes on at The Power Exchange?. The SFist Blotter satisfies the part of me that likes to watch COPS. The part of me that likes to watch better stuff digs SFist Watches. Staggering Through Fog makes me wish I had more drinking friends. We've got Your Commute, SFist Culinary Digest, Bay Blogger Thursday, and, cuz Watching ain't everything, SFist Reads. I mourn the possible abandonment of ChronicleWatch Watch, which has only appeared once. Hit me with that again, Rita!
There's another--unofficial--recurring feature of the site that I don't think I'll ever tire of, and that's the crazy, "so best" pic of Gav 'n' Kim, which I love so much I'm just gonna tack it up right here:
Anyhow, yes, SFist is growing and learning and improving, and they've got all these nifty recurring features, and the design of the site itself is not so good at exposing them to you, our readers. But hey, we're 1.0 and stuff! There are still bugs in this machine, to be sure. For instance, Jackson sometimes goes insane. And we have a recurring problem with "its" and "it's," but a copyeditor joined the ranks this week, so that sort of thing shall soon vanish, and the eight percent of y'all who notice and care about such matters will have one less thing to complain about to me, your loyal SFist ombudsman, who shall now sign off, to return whenever controversy breaks out, or in another 30 days or so when I feel all rambly again. Till then, keep your ombuds where the Man can't find 'em. Peace.