US writer and technology commentator John Dvorak has died, aged 80. His death, which occurred in late July, marked the end of an era in technology writing, with media outlets around the world reporting the sad news. Dvorak was a recognisable figure in the media landscape, known for his unique voice and stance, which often sparked debate within the industry.
Before becoming widely recognised as an expert on technology trends, Dvorak’s journalistic roots lay in a completely different field. Early in his career, he wrote about wine, and his passion for the beverage was part of his identity. This early phase of his work, focused on gastronomic and wine literature, remained an important, albeit lesser-known, part of his career, before he devoted himself entirely to technology journalism.
He later pivoted to information technology, where he established himself as an influential and respected expert. His work was characterised by a distinctive, often sharp style, which attracted the attention of readers but also sparked debate. He had direct access to key figures in the industry, and often had access to information that was available to others only later. His column in PC Magazine, where he had his own column, became recognisable precisely for this distinctive, sometimes controversial, approach to analysing technology trends.
