Jack Schofield
Encyclopedia
Jack Schofield is a British technology
journalist
and former Computer Editor for The Guardian
newspaper
, for whom he started writing a weekly computer column in 1983. He joined the staff to launch the newspaper's computer section in 1985. Schofield was also one of the Guardian’s first bloggers, launching the 'Online' blog with Neil McIntosh
in 2001.
He left full-time employment with the Guardian in June 2010, as part of a round of voluntary redundancies at the paper, but contributes the column
"Ask Jack" to advise people concerning their computer problems. He specializes in the following areas: Internet
, computing
, handheld computers, and video games. He also writes on technology related issues, also covering his interests of photography
and audiophile hi-fi
, including some work for The Guardian's sister, Sunday paper, The Observer
.
Raised in Bradford
, he began writing at Belle Vue Boys' School
, for the school magazine, 'The Voice'. After earning his BA
in English Language and Literature from the University of Birmingham
in 1970, he gained his MA
from the University of British Columbia
in Canada
. He has written several computing and photography books.
He is a regular user of Twitter.
He smokes a pipe.
Also happens to have the most unread emails, at 30,422+.
He has also written regular columns for 'Practical Photography', 'Computer Weekly', 'Personal Computer World' and several other publications.
Technology
Technology is the making, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems or methods of organization in order to solve a problem or perform a specific function. It can also refer to the collection of such tools, machinery, and procedures. The word technology comes ;...
journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
and former Computer Editor for The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
newspaper
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
, for whom he started writing a weekly computer column in 1983. He joined the staff to launch the newspaper's computer section in 1985. Schofield was also one of the Guardian’s first bloggers, launching the 'Online' blog with Neil McIntosh
Neil McIntosh
Neil McIntosh is a British journalist working for the Wall Street Journal, where he is Editor of Europe.WSJ.com. The site launched on 9 February 2009...
in 2001.
He left full-time employment with the Guardian in June 2010, as part of a round of voluntary redundancies at the paper, but contributes the column
Column (newspaper)
A column is a recurring piece or article in a newspaper, magazine or other publication. Columns are written by columnists.What differentiates a column from other forms of journalism is that it meets each of the following criteria:...
"Ask Jack" to advise people concerning their computer problems. He specializes in the following areas: Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
, computing
Computing
Computing is usually defined as the activity of using and improving computer hardware and software. It is the computer-specific part of information technology...
, handheld computers, and video games. He also writes on technology related issues, also covering his interests of photography
Photography
Photography is the art, science and practice of creating durable images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, either electronically by means of an image sensor or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film...
and audiophile hi-fi
High-end audio
High-end audio is a term used to describe a class of consumer home audio equipment marketed to audio enthusiasts on the basis of high price or quality, and esoteric or novel sound reproduction technologies. High-end audio can refer simply to the price, to the build quality of the components, or to...
, including some work for The Guardian's sister, Sunday paper, The Observer
The Observer
The Observer is a British newspaper, published on Sundays. In the same place on the political spectrum as its daily sister paper The Guardian, which acquired it in 1993, it takes a liberal or social democratic line on most issues. It is the world's oldest Sunday newspaper.-Origins:The first issue,...
.
Raised in Bradford
Bradford
Bradford lies at the heart of the City of Bradford, a metropolitan borough of West Yorkshire, in Northern England. It is situated in the foothills of the Pennines, west of Leeds, and northwest of Wakefield. Bradford became a municipal borough in 1847, and received its charter as a city in 1897...
, he began writing at Belle Vue Boys' School
Belle Vue Boys' School
Belle Vue Boys' School is a secondary school in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England.-Admissions:The school motto, , means "Ask not what you can do for yourself but what you can do for the world". It is situated near the Hallmark Cards factory, not far from Bingley Road . It has a sixth form, like...
, for the school magazine, 'The Voice'. After earning his BA
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in English Language and Literature from the University of Birmingham
University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Birmingham, England. It received its royal charter in 1900 as a successor to Birmingham Medical School and Mason Science College . Birmingham was the first Redbrick university to gain a charter and thus...
in 1970, he gained his MA
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
from the University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. He has written several computing and photography books.
He is a regular user of Twitter.
He smokes a pipe.
Also happens to have the most unread emails, at 30,422+.
Career
- 1970s Edited various photographic magazines throughout the 1970s including, 'Photo Technique', 'Photographic Journal' of the Royal Photographic SocietyRoyal Photographic SocietyThe Royal Photographic Society is the world's oldest national photographic society. It was founded in London, United Kingdom in 1853 as The Photographic Society of London with the objective of promoting the Art and Science of Photography...
, 'Photo Technique', 'Film Making', 'ZOOM', and 'You and Your Camera'. - 1983 Practical ComputingPractical Computing magazinePractical Computing was a UK computer magazine published monthly. The magazine was published by IPC Electrical Electronic Press Ltd. The first edition was released in August 1978 as a special computer show edition, and the second issue was October 1978. The magazine carried on to 1987 when it...
editor. - 1985 Launched 'Computer Guardian'.
- 1994 'Computer Guardian' became part of the 'Online' tabloid supplement.
- 2000 Editor, TechnologyGuardian.
- 2001 'Online' blog
- 2005 Section renamed 'Technology' with the relaunch in Berliner format.
- 2010 Leaves the Guardian after 25 years on staff
He has also written regular columns for 'Practical Photography', 'Computer Weekly', 'Personal Computer World' and several other publications.
External links
- Schofield on Journalisted with links to his recent Guardian articles
- Schofield's blog with links to his older Guardian articles
- Schofield's Twitter Stream
- Profile at Guardian.co.uk
- Ask Jack
- Brief bio and interview