A chat with NYTimes Columnist David Pogue

by Dolores Parker May 11th 2007

We caught up with one of our favorite tech columnists, David Pogue, the distinguished and irreverent NY Times personal technology guru, as well as author of the Missing Manual series, and not as well known, Emmy winning CBS News correspondent.

We wanted to find out his personal views on a variety of matters and how he manages to produce so much material, including weekly product video reviews, a weekly print column, State of the Art (also provided as a podcast), daily posts to his blog, Pogue's Pages, his computer book series, the Missing Manual, etc.

Does he have a staff of ten or more people who REALLY do all the work? With all the tech products he reviews, what can't he live without? Who's the girl in the bikini in his video review? Does he like old people? In short, what's his mojo? Read on for our chat with David Pogue!

Download Squad: What is your typical day like?

David Pogue: I stay up really late (2-3 am) and get up really late (10 am). I usually start the day by trying to plow through the piles of email and moderate the comments on my NYTimes blog that have come in during the night.

Then it depends on the day. Friday through Monday are usually Times column days; Tuesday I make my Times video; Wednesday I do my email Times column and record the podcast. Thursday's great for getting ready for the next cycle or working on books...

I spend a lot of dad time through the week, too, taking the kids to music lessons, etc. And lately, I've been overwhelmed by speaking engagements--one per week all Spring.

Download Squad: How many people do you have on your staff to help you with your video blog and columns?

David Pogue: I have an assistant, Lesa, who does a lot of the product ordering and research; her husband Shawn occasionally helps (a LOT) with the videos. And my wife Jennifer makes it all possible by deflecting all of life's administrative details--running the house, the finances, the travel arrangements, and so on.

Otherwise, I'm a one-man shop.

Download Squad: What would you recommend to get more seniors (people ages 60+) online and to get them more technology savvy?

David Pogue: It's about incentive. There's no point in learning a computer for its own sake; it's a means to an end.

So all it takes is one example that hits home. Visit Shopping.com and see how it can save you thousands of dollars a year, or Nytimes.com to see how you can get the Times for free, or a Web site filled with discussions of
whatever you're interested in...

Download Squad: If you were stranded on a desert island, what 3 technology items would you take with you?

David Pogue: Assuming it had power outlets at the bases of all the palm trees?

My MacBook laptop, a cable modem, and my TiVo.

Download Squad: How much time do you spend online on a daily basis?

David Pogue: Probably an hour.

Download Squad: What book(s) are you reading right now?

David Pogue: I don't have time to READ books. I WRITE about six per year. Right now, I'm working on " iPhone: The Missing Manual."

Download Squad: What's the best life advice you've ever been given?

David Pogue: You miss 100% of the shots you never take. (Apparently, that's a quote from hockey player Wayne Gretzky.)

Download Squad: What technology product that isn't invented yet, do you wish would be?

David Pogue: An alarm clock with a number pad, so I could tap in "8:45" without having to sit there fast-forwarding.

- - - - -

Thanks for reading, but we must apologize: we never found out who the lovely woman wearing the bikini in one of Pogue's videos was. Stay tuned!

Pogue trivia: Did you know? David started his career on Broadway, he's a member of a secret magic society, and that he grew up in Ohio? Find out about more of David Pogue's mojo here.

Tags: david pogue, DavidPogue, Missing Manual, MissingManual, New York Times, NewYorkTimes, personal technology, PersonalTechnology, podcast, Pogue's Pages, Pogue'sPages, State of the Art, StateOfTheArt

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

exilio said 6:07PM on 5-11-2007

Damn! That is an awesome quote. I saved that one to my little vault of memorable quotes.

resource said 10:35PM on 5-11-2007

Despite his super Apple love, he is by far the best tech columnist around.

Victor Agreda, Jr. said 2:24PM on 5-12-2007

Neat to hear his personal workflow and time management too. Still not sure how he fits it all in 24 hours...

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