Celebs of the Tech Blogging World - We HEART Om

PopSugar — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 11:23:35 PST

In case you missed the story of the inception of PopSugar, then let me remind you it came about thanks to the suggestion from a good friend Om Malik. The single (yes, Valentine's Day is around the corner and he's looking for the right girl to spend the special day with), successful, stylish blogger who was just named one of Forbes Web Celeb 25 is also the first Geek We Love to be featured on GeekSugar! Our fabulous sister site is rounding up the best men behind the web, whether they are bachelors or part of a Beauty and the Geek team. Make sure to check out the Valentine's feature of Geeks We Love everyday to see who's next.

Photos courtesy of Thomas Hawk

Geeks We Love: Om Malik of GigaOM

GeekSugar — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 10:08:28 PST

Shows like Beauty and the Geek give male geeks a bad rep. I have news for you folks, not all geeks think pocket-protectors and worn corduroy pants are trendy. In fact, I know plenty of eligible geeky bachelors that showcase the very best of geekiness: smarts, passion, chic clothing, success in their field and the ability to program your TiVo, computer or Blackberry when you’re not in the mood. In an effort to celebrate this month of love, I have put together a series of interviews with some of the most interesting geeky bachelors I know.

Om Malik, who is the founder of GigaOmniMedia, Inc. and executive editor of GigaOM.com, a popular tech blog that offers news, analysis and opinions on topics ranging from broadband to online games and Web 2.0, is the epitome of geek chic. He just happens to love clothes as much as he does gadgets – and has an awe-inspiring gadget collection and closet to prove it! For the full interview with Om,

read more GS: How did you get into the tech world? Om: I have dreamed of being a journalist all my life, ever since I was a kid. I started as a rookie reporter at a teen magazine, The Weekly Sun in New Delhi, India. GS: What’s the geekiest thing about yourself? Om: I often brag about the total computing power in my apartment, and proud of the fact that have a terabyte of data around the house. GS: What you are looking for in a significant other? Om: Intelligence, kindness and humor. Someone who I can look at from the corner of my eye and be pleased as punch that I am her guy! Virginia Madsen, except for real! GS: What are your Top 5 favorite gadgets? Om: MacBook Pro, Nokia e70, Sonos Music System, iPod Nano, and my LCD TV. GS: What are the top 5 luxury gadgets you really want? Om: Sony Bravia LCD TV (50 inch model), iPhone, Aston Martin, The Prada Phone and Bang & Olufsen phone. GS: Your first computer was a… Om: A no name laptop with Windows 3.1. Yuck! GS: What are your favorite websites? Om: PopSugar, Gawker, TorrentFreak, WebWorkerDaily and Fark. GS: Your line of work means you are exposed to more gadgets and tech news than your average citizen (and blogger) how do you decide what is relevant or necessary? Om: I have a lot of friends who are not really interested in technology. I hand them the device, and then watch how they react. If they like it or are intrigued by it, it is something worth paying attention to. Otherwise, I go for elegance, simplicity and intuitiveness of the gadget. GS: How do you feel about people calling you a “geek?” I suppose I should first ask, have you ever been called a "geek?" Om: Not to my face, but I am sure people say that all the time. GS: What do you consider to be your greatest contribution to the tech/blog industry – don’t be modest. Om: I get to tell the greatest story to be ever told – technology – that’s as good as it gets. GS: How many hours do you spend online a day? Om: I am connected all the time, except when I am sleeping. GS: What is one geeky habit you’re trying to quit? Om: Instant messaging – I hate the sound iChat makes. GS: What makes you an eligible geeky bachelor? Om: I like clothes and the good life as much as I like gadgets. I think I am kind, thoughtful and thanks to my training as a writer, I do have the ability to listen and pay attention. GS: Describe your ideal date. Om: I have not been on one yet. If you have expectations, then you are going to be disappointed. If you are disappointed then even the best date can never be an ideal date. That said, I want a date of thousand surprises, little ones, that make every minute worth remembering. GS: What do you look for in a significant other? Om: She should take as much interest in men’s shoes as she does in Jimmy Choo’s. GS: Tell me more about GigaOm! Om: GigaOM started off as a personal blog five years ago, but since then has become a daily chronicle of the technology industry. I left my job at Business 2.0 in June 2006, raised venture capital and turned it into a little media company. Think of us as rapidly aging former yuppie brother of Sugar Publishing. My inspiration is curiosity and the desire to learn new things every day. As a kid my grandfather used to warn me to not mistake education for a finite process. My profession is my education, my motivation. My writing is a mix of analysis, sarcasm, humor and plain old news reporting. Editor’s Note: Before launching his own publishing venture, Om was a senior writer for Business 2.0 magazine covering telecom and broadband stories. His site, GigaOM.com, is now ranked in the top 100 IT news sites by Hitwise, an Internet tracking service and is among the top 50 blogs as ranked by Technorati, and part of C/Net 100 Most Influential Blogs. Want more Om? Check out GigaOM.com. Given Om’s flair for fashion you may have to act fast to beat FabSugar to the punch!
Photos courtesy of Thomas Hawk