Always uncovering the realities of technology business and baggage

Our #FollowFriday Worthy recommendation this week is James Temple, who writes the Dot.commentary column for the San Francisco Chronicle and SFGate.com.  On Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays you will always find something new out of James’ column to chew on. He usually comments on the controversial technology issues that affect us and while it IS a commentary, James’ view on technology and its sensitive issues that come along with it are always delivered in an informative manner.  He expresses angles on the selected topics of the day that urge you to think on things as you read through his exposés.

I learn something new and useful each time I visit his column. A month ago, he wrote something about getting serious about fake fees on phone bills. It made me start reading the bills in the mail more closely. Since then, I have managed to save a buck or two after going over my bill with the customer service rep on the vendor side. Likewise, as a “technology power consumer,” I found the article regarding flash cookies both fascinating and alarming, so much so that my use and browsing of the Internet has become more conscious and guarded.

If you are a businessperson or an entrepreneur, you will also find James’ column enlightening. He often discusses the many trends and shifts in the technology world, where business is heading and how technology is making our lives more complicated or even overly consumed.  Whatever it is, James will tap into these sensitive tech issues with a curious poke and dissect it for his readers to ponder on deeply.

James’s style comes from being a business reporter in the San Francisco Bay Area for over a decade.  He has covered advertising, banking, real estate and retail for the San Francisco Business Times, Contra Costa Times and Bloomberg.  He also writes about food and travel and occasionally produces video for SFGate.com.

James shared a personal side of him in our questionnaire which I found endearing (I also crack my knuckles!).

Here’s his take on things:

Laughs at: Modern Family and the Winklevi, for slightly different reasons.

Hopes: That journalism finds its financial footing in the digital age (given the choice, I’d prefer to be paid).

Thinks: That robots will soon take over … our hearts.

Reveals: I crack my knuckles. There I said it.

Is Inspired By: Clever writing, deep reporting and beautiful time-lapse photography.

Dream Coffee Date: Bill Bryson or Natalie Portman, for slightly different reasons.

Three times a week, you will get a smart dose of tech biz and controversy. Daily, you will find him on Twitter sharing information and definitely always a clever comment on things. (Even the article about the grandma downloading porn made me think twice about my WiFi connection!)

Follow James Temple on Twitter: @jtemple

Read him at the San Francisco Chronicle (SFGate.com): http://www.sfgate.com/columns/dotcommentary/archive/

Liz Estrella-Basilio is Elena Verlee’s San Francisco partner at Cross Border Communications. Together they work with start-up to multi-million dollar technology companies who want to get their story heard in traditional, digital and social media.

She recently revived her Twitter account and will be out on the prowl to find those who are truly #FollowFriday-worthy on Twitter. Follow her at @lizestrellab.