Magnus Pym: Perhaps BW would be in better shape right now if it hadn't consistently glorified Corporate America and treated all those way-overpaid CEOs as rock-star celebrities. Granted, the Web has changed the business model for all traditional publications, but BW has been particularly vulnerable because of its glitzy, breathless take on business and businesspeople. Much of its economic analysis has been unsurpassed, no question, but its coverage of technology, for instance, has been rah-rah all the way - as signaled by that famous early-'80s cover, "AI: It's Here!". (It wasn't, and it still isn't.) BW never bothered to really look beyond the IPO frenzy, for instance, and try to explain how the new technologies worked and what they are doing to the economy and society. Sure, that's where the bulk of the ads were, and making money hand over fist as BW did in technology for so many years may explain the glaring lack of skepticism and analysis and explanation to readers of what all this stuff truly means and what it's doing to us. (This is not to be taken as any kind of criticism of Stephen Baker's stint as technology editor; the problem pre-dated him by decades.) Also, in its quest always to appear "objective" (which in BW's playbook meant merely pitting the right against the right-of-center, as if that was a significant debate) BW never was able to address what business - and especially Big Business - has been doing to society, namely turning every damned thing and activity - from schooling (all those McGraw-Hill textbooks!) to friendship (Facebook, etc.) - into a commodity that can and must be bought for money and in so doing, generally wrecking the planet. One can't accuse BW of being simply a house organ for the business class, but it certainly was careful never to bite the hand that fed it - to truly question the basis of business as it is practiced here in the U.S. of A. Had BW spoken up for working people when it had the chance to do so, those people might still have jobs today and sufficient money to subscribe to BW.  Dec. 2, 2009, 2:40pm Martin Gross-Albenhausen: Good luck, Steve. The future is more about free talent than salary checks. See you in Berlin next year!  Nov. 25, 2009, 4:58am Greg McAlpin: I am sad to hear that this happened. I wish good things for you.  Nov. 22, 2009, 1:30am steve baker: Thanks for all the comments. I really appreciate it. I actually asked to be laid off, and feel terrific that I have a full year of severance to underwrite the next stage of my career. Open to all ideas, but excited to have this new freedom.  Nov. 21, 2009, 11:01pm Darren Vengroff: Sorry to hear that, Steve. I wish you the best of luck in whatever the future holds, and would be happy to help if there is anything I can do.  Nov. 21, 2009, 8:18pm CAT: Best of luck Stephen, I know as an author and blogger the universe is full of opportunities for you. I'll miss our chats in the elevator.  Nov. 20, 2009, 3:11pm Christian Anderson: A sad day for BW. I've really enjoyed your work there. Have you thought about starting your own online mag?  Nov. 20, 2009, 12:13pm D'Anne Hotchkiss: Your writing has definitely brought color and context to the business of data. Good luck in your search and I look forward to the last BW article, as well as your next book.  Nov. 20, 2009, 9:07am Jack: Sounds like freedom.  Nov. 20, 2009, 1:16am Ann Marie Ricard: It's been a pleasure reading your work. There is no doubt that the next chapter of your career will involve something interesting. Best of luck in your search.  Nov. 19, 2009, 7:18pm Susan Scrupski: Sad. There's a comfy couch on the social web for you Steve.  Nov. 19, 2009, 3:54pm Alison: Definitely a loss for the mag. I'll look forward to seeing where your words show up next.  Nov. 19, 2009, 3:36pm Max Kalehoff: Best of luck, Steve. Now you're free to prosper! Let me know if we can be helpful. TTY soon. Warm regards.  Nov. 19, 2009, 3:05pm Darcy Provo: Whoa...that's big news! And a big adventure no doubt lies ahead. Wishing you the best.  Nov. 19, 2009, 2:14pm Shahed: It is the end of an era in many ways. Very sorry to hear. Best of luck!  Nov. 19, 2009, 12:47pm Parna: Sorry to hear that. I'll be sure to keep my ears open for you. Good luck.  Nov. 19, 2009, 12:27pm Jessica Tuquero: Good luck, I enjoyed following your work.  Nov. 19, 2009, 12:20pm Doug Haslam: Good luck Steve-- and i like your attitude. Between you, Don Dodge (from MSFT) and, I don't doubt, others, we are seeing a lot of classy departures by high-profile folks  Nov. 19, 2009, 12:12pm Chris Selland: good luck - change creates opportunity  Nov. 19, 2009, 11:55am