Some news from the (new) editor's desk

As you already may know, today is Ryan Block's last day as editor-in-chief of Engadget, and, consequently, the beginning of my tenure in that same position. If you've ever met Ryan, read his work here on the site (and you'd better have), or seen one of his appearances on television, then you know that he's that rare kind of obsessive technology nerd who also happens to be incredibly erudite and funny. Along with founder Peter Rojas, he made Engadget what it is today, so while there's no question that he'll be missed here, we've got great expectations about his new project, and we're happy to say he'll remain on-board as editor-at-large for columns, advice, and picking up the tab when he's in town.

All of that said, however, I'm incredibly excited about getting started on what tomorrow brings: the next phase of Engadget's evolution. Stepping into the role that Ryan is vacating isn't just about emulating the accomplishments that he and Peter worked for, but building off of those successes and bringing something new to the table, and you can be sure that's what I plan on doing. Still, what's core to Engadget won't change, and we'll continue to be the definitive voice in tech journalism thanks to the tireless work of our team (the best in the industry), and the dedication of the legions of readers that visit this site every day (also the best in the industry). It's a huge honor and challenge to take the reins here, and I know it's going to be an amazing ride.

[robothouse @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:30PM]

Good to have you aboard, Topolsky

[Tim @ Aug 23rd 2008 2:46AM]

Lets hope that by "definitive voice in tech journalism," he really does mean journalism. If engadget were to move from a very good blog to the caliber of journalism, and adhere to the rules of journalism, that really would be something. If hes just tossing that word out and plans to continue with half-assed writing, lack of proofreading, and lackluster investigations into products, That'd be too bad. True journalism, though, would be quite a treat.

[farfisa @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:30PM]

Finally! Somebody who can grow hair!

I kid, I kid...

[fred @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:40PM]

Cut down on the bias, double standards, and immaturity, and he can look like cousin IT for all I care.

[Techie @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:51PM]

You will be miss Ryan!

[MJ @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:55PM]

He will be Miss Ryan? Is he leaving for a sex change? lol!

[outlaw @ Aug 22nd 2008 9:53PM]

Hopefully this guy isn't as full of himself as Ryan is.

Good luck

[GatgetMan @ Aug 22nd 2008 10:46PM]

That is One... Sexy... Man.....

Oh Look! There somehow seems to be a giveaway of some sort... Maybe I'll enter? *wink*wink*

[Ryan Block @ Aug 23rd 2008 2:58PM]

I'm full of myself? Really? Explain.

[A1 @ Aug 24th 2008 9:35AM]

Don't worry Ryan, I love you

[happy_penguin @ Aug 24th 2008 10:41PM]

Ryan, I know you aren't full of yourself. I don't suppose you let ignorant comments like that bother you but if it does in the least, trust me there are plenty of us who know it isn't true.

[fischju @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:32PM]

The question is, are you going to have a sweet avatar?

[Serial 8-Ball Mouse @ Aug 22nd 2008 6:39PM]

Well, he could use that sweet emo shot from the article. Throw on some Dashboard Confessional. Look at old photos. Yeeeaaah.

[Fatima @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:32PM]

Maybe now the comment system will be updated from the stone ages...which its currently in

[JJV @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:35PM]

HEY dont be insulting rocks......

Welcome Joshua,

We'll Miss you Ryan!!!!

[Joshua Topolsky @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:43PM]

At the top of my list!

[getStringFromObj() @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:54PM]

Good to hear, the comment system leaves a lot to be desired, *and* it hasn't accepted one avatar I have uploaded, granted some of them were questionable in nature.

[Alex Linhares @ Aug 22nd 2008 7:30PM]

Why not use slash?

[nerdtalker @ Aug 22nd 2008 6:26PM]

Yeah, seriously. You can tell it's an AOL-owned blog by how poorly the comment system works. Breaking intermittently, being served cached pages without comments on them (which makes people double post), no profile login unless you post, endless "FIRST" whores...

That's the first thing you should tackle, and it isn't even really that challenging, but it makes such a big difference. Especially considering garnering comments (and lots of them) is of huge importance for a blog.

[Socioguy @ Aug 22nd 2008 7:02PM]

Well... it sure beats *cough* ZDNet *cough*

There are times where you are thankful comment rating even exists...

[iofthestorm @ Aug 22nd 2008 11:14PM]

I second the slash recommendation, although I guess that might be kind of weird. I think they'd prefer to have their own in-house system though, it's kind of easier to mess around with something you wrote yourself. But FFS, a working comment system is really not that hard. The weird thing is that it works sometimes, so clearly something's right about it, but I don't really know what.

[GatgetMan @ Aug 23rd 2008 12:56PM]

I like the comment system!

[GatgetMan @ Aug 23rd 2008 12:57PM]

I like the comment system!

[bob sakamano @ Aug 24th 2008 10:06AM]

i think they dont like people being "signed in" to the site because it would make it too easy to comment = lots of garbage comments. the fact that you have to put a password in each time will deter that a little.

[GatgetMan @ Aug 24th 2008 10:35PM]

Or you could just save the password in your browser so all you had to do was click "add comment"...

[Steve @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:34PM]

What is Ryan going to do now?

[xcrunk @ Aug 22nd 2008 6:22PM]

He's going to sponge off of Veronica Belmont. LOL.

Seriously, I hate to say it, but the entire line of blogs from Weblogs Inc. BLOW!! Sorry, had to say it. Since being sold to AOL, it's been ALL downhill.

No wonder everybody's jumping the ship....gurgle, gurgle.

[Joe Pollicino @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:35PM]

her wears glasses. So he must know what he is doing! :)

[Hellaphunt @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:39PM]

I just read the articles with author oblivion... please keep them coming because they do keep me "informed". Not so hard, eh?

[Christian @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:39PM]

I am sure this has been said before, but how about a forum for Engadget and the connected sites? It seems crazy not to have one, since there seems to be a lot of informed people visiting this site. It would be especially great for people with questions about any tech games etc.

[Wolfticket @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:48PM]

It would be more useful than this: http://www.engadget.com/tag/AskEngadget/

[bamboo @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:40PM]

Ryan, thanks for all you have done to keep us tech junkies with enough of the good stuff to keep us high.............
Keep us updated!

[Snooze @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:43PM]

Buh-bye Ryan. Remember your promise about still writing here every now and then ;)
Thanks for the good times.

[Ray @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:41PM]

Farewell! And keep up the good work engadget! Your the reason why im also obsessive about electronics and blow about 6 grand a year on things that are outdated the next!

[Luigi193 @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:44PM]

Wait... on Bill Gate's last day there were like a bazillion posts... but only one for poor Mr Block??

We will all miss you Ryan!
And Good luck to Joshua!

[Nathan Dbb @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:49PM]

So do we get to hear about what a btch you ex- was next?
Do we have to read your poetry about growing up in a suburb of [city name here]?

Just keep us informed in frequently posted light reads. While pushing industry people to make the good stuff come out faster and for less.

[Joshua Topolsky @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:52PM]

You want to hear my poetry? I'm touched!

[Grandalf @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:50PM]

It's the end of an era, and the beginning of a new one! Much like starwars 1-3 vs. 4-6 !

[MichaelD @ Aug 22nd 2008 9:46PM]

Hopefully not like that.

[Fred @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:50PM]

"Stepping into the role that Ryan is vacating isn't just about emulating the accomplishments that he and Peter worked for."

Yes, yes it is. I read Engadget becuase I want Engadget. I eat a chocolate bar because I want chocolate. Don't go slipping in a bunch of gooey nougat and nuts and shit. And good luck! :)

[Sofunnytom @ Aug 22nd 2008 8:11PM]

that has to be one of the coolest avatars i have ever seen

[Fred @ Aug 23rd 2008 9:35AM]

I wish I could take credit :) It's Natalie Dee (www,nataliedee.com) very funny comics.

[dLeet @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:56PM]

Glad to have you onboard Topolsky. Looking forward to what you have to bring to Engadget to fill the void left by Ryan.

[muddyh2o @ Aug 22nd 2008 5:54PM]

See you at SXSW again next year Ryan. Thanks for everything you've done (with and without Peter) to make engadget rock. you even managed to make some coin in the process.

it's now official. engadget has jumped the shark.

[muddyh2o @ Aug 22nd 2008 9:53PM]

no one bites on the 'jump the shark' comment.

i feel so defeated. does anyone even know what that means?!

[sc00tert00ter @ Aug 22nd 2008 11:24PM]

nobody cares

[broli @ Aug 22nd 2008 6:01PM]

Topolsky...hmmm sounds russian...




In Soviet Russia article edits you!

[Patriks7 @ Aug 23rd 2008 2:57AM]

In Soviet Russia Topolsky edits you!

[GoodnessOfWheat @ Aug 22nd 2008 6:06PM]

Josh, I look forward to your work, but I think that, you should try to use less than, six commas, when finishing your first, paragraph.

:)

Jokes aside, as a long time reader / first time writer I've got to credit Engadget for making me feel smarter than all my friends when talking about electronic toys. Thanks Ryan, you'll be missed!

[Engadgetier @ Aug 22nd 2008 6:05PM]

I'll miss you Ryan... =(

Welcome Topolsky, bring me more iPhone news.