Discussion on:

Geek Trivia: The 20 all-time favorite columns

It's been a great run over these last almost-eight years. I had a great time writing Geek Trivia. Hopefully, you had almost as a good a time reading it. I look forward to reading your take on the column--especially from my most dedicated quibblers.

Bummer I am really going to miss Geek Trivia

I have canceled 95% of the newsletters that I have signed for. Geek Trivia has been showing up in my mailbox continuously since late 2001. THAT's the ultimate compliment from me.

...that I can't possibly allow this to happen. Seriously, how exactly am I meant to pass the time when I'm meant to be working now?

Thanks for the many surprising and informative articles, in the short time I've been reading you've expanded my geek knowledge considerably. Although thinking about it I'm not sure I should count that as a good thing...

Good luck for the future and thanks again!

What do we have to do to keep you writing? Send you large packets of cashew nuts? Threaten to short your motherboard? Beg and plead?

Why are you leaving? What is the truth behind it?

I will really miss your humour and style of writing Jay. Good luck and God bless for your future endeavours.

You always led the way and your column has always inspired me as examples of how to be very interesting on the internet.

Just like the Washed Up Update, the Geek Trivia column is going to be a part of people's memories for a long time.

Jerr

And don't stop posting, either. I need somebody out there who can keep TR's comic book fanboys and trekkies in line.

This column will be sorely missed. The web just got a whole lot less fun.

for one of the greatest columns on Tech Republic and the entire internet. Geek Trivia was a weekly staple for me. I will miss it greatly. See you on the written weird.

Jay,

I'm really going to miss Geek Trivia! It was the most important factor that kept me coming to TR.

I guess I'm stuck with Microsoft Office Suite being my only entertainment from TR now.

I'll still track you through feedburner on "The Written Weird," et alia.

Reading into your comments above, will Geekend keep going on TR or are you done with that as well?

Thanks for your years of effort and giving us entertainment, education, and alliterations.

I wish you the very best in your future.

T

I'm told that the blog will continue to be updated, but by whom and with what frequency I'm not certain. It's only Geek Trivia that and my contributions to the Geekend that are being shut down.

nt

Jay, you have been a persistent source of puzzles and grins for so long. Thanks for it all! And best of luck on your next adventures!

What will I do Wednesday mornings to get my day going? Since I'm not a coffee drinker, the Greek Trivia is my morning fix every Wednesday. If it is not going to be in my inbox, then I guess I won't even turn on my computer that day. Thanks Jay, I have loved each issue.

Well ratz! This news just ruined MY day. I agree with the others, the Internet just got a little more disappointing today.

The Wednesday Geek Trivia newsletter was far & away my favorite "tech" email of the week and I also enjoyed your other TR contributions. I guess now I'll have to stop being lazy & check out your other venues.

Thanx for all the good trivia and interesting columns over the years, Jay.

Good luck to you in all that you do.

Live long & Prosper, Geek-meister.

-Marty

Dear Jay,
thanks a lot for sharing with us your time, your intelligence, your sense of humor.
It's difficult to choose a list of best columns. It's on everyone's taste. As with the children, I like them all the same.
I wish you a lot of fun and fame in your next job(s).

Sincerely yours,
Ra?l
(Your silent correspondent in the Black Forest)

It's been great fun. Maybe TR can post the whole collection as an archive and us geeks can peruse them at our leisure while we're waiting for the code to compile or the software to install.

I always looked forward to my next Geek fix. You have expanded the thoughts of all who read your Trivia. In our industry a complex cerebral stimulation above our everday complex job made things easier. We will miss you

I'm not even a techie, I only joined tech republic for the trivia!
Go well dude

This news bites. Big time.

Jay, was this your decision, or were you thrown out? At first it sounded like you were "retiring" but after reading the posts, it sounds like you've been given your "golden watch."

If this was a decision by TechRepublic, shame on the PTB. This was pretty much the sole reason I still allow TR e-mails to pass through my spam filter these days.

Any chance you might resume Geek Trivia in another blog somewhere? I'd gladly follow you, and I'm not a big blog reader. (Or maybe TR could "smarten up" again, and allow Geek Trivia the hat trick on the cancellation axe!)

Flame out, no chute, now I die!

Didn't we already do this once when TR wanted to shutdown the Trivia Geek?
I will miss you Jay and your odd thought patterns and all the information that you filled my head with the past few years.
:'(

I have truly enjoyed it.

Life is busy and no one has time to read everything they sign up for....but I NEVER missed your column. But I will surely miss it now. Best wishes to you and thanks for making being a geek more fun. (please pass the kleenex)

In these times of soaring deficits, huge unemployment, shriveling GDP, impending draconian tax hikes, and ever-present IT job loss fear the geniuses at TR torpedo Geek Trivia? This was one of the few light hearted distractions we had. Thanks TR!

Jay thanks so much for all the memories and fine superlative articles. You were one of the main reasons I ever read and joined TR. You will be sorely missed. TR may now be dead to me.

Everytime Geek Trivia popped up on my e-mail, it is always the first thing I read. What a shock, it is like your best friend is dead and you are just now informed of it! Hope you counted "Belize" in your 200 countries, that is where I am. Good luck on your next adventure and may it be as successful!

Jay:

Your posts have been entertaining, informative, puzzling, amazing, and a major jolt to my early morning routine. Will sincerely miss them and you. Best to you in whatever is coming next in your life.

I'm a fairly new reader, but Geek Trivia cut through the clutter and got me to read the TR site. It'll be a less fun place without you.

NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

(Echoing away, akin to the sound of Homer Simpson falling off a bridge. Yes, that episode was just on.)

So, well just have to follow your efforts elsewhere. I hope you continue to update The Written Weird occasionally, time permitting.

Best of luck to you.

I was sooo proud when I got my quibble recognized, my quibble about Advanced Python Scripting and Buzz Aldrin. Thanks for that.

My favorite all-time column would have to be the one about Napolean III's contest to create a substitute for butter. My office mate and I also learned that day that Wisconsin didn't repeal their margarine tax until 1967 (if you can believe that). This comes up more times than I would like to admit in public.

Jay, thanks for the column. I was bummed when it went down to only once a week, and now I'm bummed that it will be gone for good, but I do thank you for doing this all these years. You wrote a great column. You should be very proud of it. All the best to you as you move forward. Good luck!!!

You will be sincerely missed!

...that the reason you are only giving the top 20 columns is because that is all you wrote. Every one of them said "Jay is on vacation this week and is re-running a column from..." The good thing is that IT has destroyed my mind, and you could have re-run one from yesterday and I would read it as if it were new, and never know the difference.

I have more than a few regular TR columns come to my inbox, this was by far my favorite (20 times over!!!).

and NOT with my favorite Geek Trivia. Makes it look like I like your announcement the BEST OF ALL TIME. Not so.

This is the one column I didn't want to go away. I pictured myself still reading when I'm 90. Now what to do???? [annoyed grunt]

Looked forward to a good smile when your column would arrive
Enough said

One of the main reasons I subscribe to Tech Republic's rather relentless and over serious barrage of emails is the thought that once a week I will be entertained, informed, and, yes, even educated by your entertaining columns.

Not just me, I copy them and send them on around the world!

My favorites are those relating to Star Trek and the cost of anti matter was a recent classic.

Thanks Jay
Good luck for the future - I hope your readers can persuade you [and, I suspect, your masters] to continue!

At least the "barrage of emails" part, which is usually caused by having one of the "Special Offers" boxes checked.

Click on the "My Newsletters" link at the top right of the page. When the manage newsletters page opens, go to the very bottom, check the "Unsubscribe from all" box, then click on the Update button.

You can now return to the newsletter management page and select ONLY those you wish to see.

Jay, I'm too bummed out to write much, but best wishes in the future. Thanks for maintaining such a great and unique form of education and entertainment for so long. I greatly appreciate it.

Your weekly message was one of the few that wasn't deleted immediately from my inbox.

I'm gonna miss out on new topics to quibble with friends about.

Good luck with all you do in the future.

Thank
TR, you should reconsider

I eagerly scanned every TR email for a new post from you, and excitedly read them all! I even forwarded some of them to my non-geek friends, who also found them highly interesting. In addition, I believe I've learned a new word in every one of your posts!

I'm gonna have to hunt you down on those other sites you mentioned just to get my geek fix...

It's been fun!

and so will your columns.

I can honestly say I will miss them.

or, can we??
My SigOther is not a techie, but a Trekkie, Hitchhiker fan, & space nut. I have printed many of your articles to share with him. To echo, thanks for all the fish. Live long and prosper. Gay Rose

let me know, and I'll introduce you to the Phyrst & the Rathskeller.

And, if you like college football, the Penn State Ticket Man & I will take you to the game.

I am a football fan, and only a fool would pass up a chance to see JoePa's crew play in Happy Valley. Hopefully, I'll someday be able to cash in.

Despite his great enthusiasm, Joe's body has begun to betray him. And, he no longer has a long term contract, but is operating on a year-to-year basis.

It will be a sad day in Happy Valley when he's forced to become a spectator.

That will mark the end of an era in college sports for the whole nation.

That Penn State has the world's largest dues-paying alumni association speaks volumes about the passion that it stirs in those who studied there.

http://www.giveto.psu.edu/news/004818/default.aspx

Well my friend;
The time has finally come.
I can only say that it's been a real treat to read you columns over time.
Many times you actually managed to surprise me with the information that you were imparting.
This would leave me wondering, "Where does he get all this stuff???"
Jay, the fact is that your articles were, smartly written, coherent and at times, astonishing {at least to me}
I wish you well my friend.I only hope that the people who are getting you are fully aware of they're getting.
Somehow Tech Republic will not be quite the same without your presence.
I close in wishing you every success in your future endeavors.
If it doesn't work out, come on back home where we would welcome you with open arms.
All the Best my Friend.
In all Sincerity
Aaron