I have been a little busy at work and at home. Here's the edited highlights of 08 so far:
February 2008
I started at GNM. Our large enterprise program, R2, was well underway. I am so lucky to be given the opportunity to lead here, and set about our strategy development.
- Opening up our content data? Check.
- Creating a developer network? Yup.
- Move from publisher to technology platform? Yes.
- Evidence based decision making led by product management? Absolutely.
March 2008
Along with Stephen Dunn, Head of Technology Strategy at GNM, we went to eTech.
We saw Lawrence Lessig propose how to change the Congress, Tom Coates talk about Fire Eagle, Gavin Starks from AMEE, Saul Griffith and the amazing Ethan Zuckerman. And we met Matt.
We came back inspired, impatient to change, but unfortunately I also came down with chicken pox on my return, which was early to mid-March pretty much put to bed. If you haven't had it as a child, as I hadn't, then it can be pretty nasty. And it was.
Easter 2008, Abi and I went to Storrs Hall Hotel for a break. We climbed Old Sawrey. I asked the question and she said yes. We are to be married in September 09, in Herefordshire.
Oh, and we launched News. My favourite feature is the little heralded keyword combiners. Nik, as ever, puts it well
April 2008
Hiring continues apace. We launch Sport on April 22nd. The developer team post the image from this news story, at which I was present, on the launch console. Ho ho ho. Grrr.
Interestingly, looking back at coverage of this match, we don't rank in the top 10 on google. This would change, as Paul Roach joins us from Yahoo to lead the SEO program.
We lose our number 1 spot in the UK. We have a considerable challenge facing us.
May 2008
Matt started. He makes an immediate impact, and he starts on an ambitious plan to create the Guardian Developer Network.
Steve, Matt and Phil present at Xtech in Dublin, as we continue to build interest in our program.
June 2008
Comment is Free relaunches with new features and a new look. We sponsor Mashed. The development team are working so hard - they are amazing. The outstanding Graham Tackley makes the switch from Thoughtworks. He has found his home.
July 2008
Our first product from our new product management function sees the light. Appropriately, it's Fantasy Football. We overachieve our target by 40%, and vastly reduce development and integration time. I feel this is largely down to the images on the welcome page.
August 2008
Simon agrees to join us. This is very exciting. I know him from mySociety, and its another coup for us. Product managers arrive in numbers. Marcus Austin arrives from startups. Alex Pressland comes in from Accel. Piers Jones from TotalJobs comes on to lead Guardian Jobs.
September 2008
More great people come in. Hugh Macdermott, ex of AOL and latterly Sky, arrives to lead product management. And, on September 28th, R2 is complete. On time and under budget, its a huge success for all connected with it.
October 2008
10.1m UK uniques. Full-fat RSS feeds go live. Thoughtworks depart, sadly. They deserve good testimonials.
November 2008
Welcome Igor Clark, technical director of Poke London. Now we are getting that agency experience we need. Matt hosts Hackday. Simon hacks BNP maps and the wonderful Matthew Somerville creates the Charlian and scoops the main prize.
December 2008
We move to Kings Place.It is a wonderful place to work.
I turned 40 on Wednesday. Life begins, and I pledge to blog assiduously from now on...
