The VAR Guy

Let’s turn off the tech coverage for a moment. The VAR Guy has a question for you. As a new media blogger, he delivers more than his share of gossip. But should traditional newspapers dish dirt — or stick to the hard news — related to outgoing New York Governor Eliot Spitzer? Before you answer, check out this Google Adwords advertisement, apparently placed by a top US newspaper to promote “gossip” about the Spitzer scandal.

Sometimes, being predictable is a fantastic way to do business. Just ask the folks over at CA Inc. (formerly Computer Associates). Some of the company’s biggest critics have warmed up to CEO John Swainson and his new CA, which is quietly generating a fairly predictable revenue stream. Here’s the scoop.

The VAR Guy was flipping though his Sunday morning paper when he spotted an article about Ubuntu Linux. He took a few more sips of coffee to perk up and make sure his eyes weren’t deceiving him. Sure enough, Ubuntu had made the leap into the mainstream media — earning coverage in Newsday, the eight largest newspaper in the nation. Has Ubuntu reached its tipping point with consumers?