From the east, a puff of smoke

Owen Thomas — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 11:50:26 EST

Portfolio blogger Sam Gustin dislikes the phrase "cloud computing," a term for Web-based software whose popularity he attributes to "desperate reporters who, for the sake of the almighty scoop, are willing to publish just about any nonsense that a public relations professional shovels at them." True. But Gustin then proceeds to publish just about any nonsense shoveled at him by the PR department of Transmedia, a little nothing of a Web-software startup, which just happens to be based, like Gustin, in New York. Gustin reveals himself here as the typical journalist of New York's mostly inconsequential tech-startup scene: Entranced by proximity, out of touch with the currents of technology — as deluded, in his own way, as the reporters he critiques.

Party at the New York City Googleplex!

Owen Thomas — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 17:51:46 EDT

We're getting live reports on who's making it past the velvet rope at Google's New York party. The bash, held in Google's West Chelsea offices at 76 Ninth Avenue, has already kicked up a fuss. Google's controlling-but-not-that-bright PR people have tried to limit the guest list to consumer and fashion reporters, figuring they'd be more likely to critique the buffet and less likely to ask pesky questions about the search engine's business practices. So far, they've had mixed results. Here's who we've heard has showed up so far — and who's been barred at the door.

Notorious nobody and Star magazine editor-at-large Julia Allison has swanned her way in, as has Erik Sofge of ... Popular Mechanics? So much for the event's glam factor. Silicon Alley Insider's Dan Frommer is ~~being held at the door~~ in, after receiving a self-righteous lecture at the hands of a very nice if overly empowered Google staffer. Also in: Sam Gustin of Portfolio.com, and vlog-hot Caroline McCarthy of News.com, who'd rate as one of the Valley foxes if she weren't based out of Gotham. Apparently, though, the business reporters who get past the gate are being told not to take pictures. Got more reports on who's in and who's out? Let us know.

Update: Google executive Marissa Mayer, another overly empowered sort, has shown up wearing what sounds like a hideous outfit: "black pants black shirt with purple and bue polka dots and black shoes that show off red toenails," according to one eyewitness. Anyone daring enough to violate Google PR's photo ban and send in a pic?

Update: Douglas Merrill, Google's VP of engineering, is wearing a "hideous red paisley shirt," our unofficial fashion correspondent reports.

Gawker: valleywag, sam gustin

From the east, a puff of smoke

Party at the New York City Googleplex!