Little Red Blog: Imagethief goes pro

One of our favorite China blogs, Beijing-based Imagethief, has finally learned what Shanghaiist learned nearly a year ago: There is huge money to be made in the world of professional blogging. Oh wait ... next year ... that's when we are going to learn that. We're positive. Anyway, Mr. Imagethief, whose real name is William Moss, has been hired by CNET to write a China tech blog called "Little Red Blog" (Will calls the name "regrettable" and says there's a "long story" behind it). We wonder if Will also finds regrettable the blog's subhead: "Will the Middle Kingdom sinicise its latest barbarian invader?"

Here's how Will describes his new venture:

The CNET tech blog is a bit different from Imagethief (and not just because I'm being paid, although you'd need a microscope see the amount). First, of course, it's all about technology in China, so it doesn't have quite the --ahem-- magisterial sweep of Imagethief. Second, while Imagethief is read primarily by foreigners living in China, the CNET blog is meant to be read by people living elsewhere who are interested in what's happening with China's consumer technology and Internet scenes. So, while written in Imagethief's familiar light'n'breezy style, you hardened China hands may find it a bit of lightweight old hat.

I'm combing the usual distreputable sources for interesting stories, including many of my favorite China blogs from the Imagethief blogroll. There will be two posts a week on a somewhat irregular schedule. While I won't be cross-posting complete entries, I will put a link on Imagethief whenever a new story goes live on CNET, in case you are interested.

Will has four posts up on his CNET blog now:

• An unlikely Internet star is born
  "Bus Uncle, the Backdorm Boys, and the fast route to Internet fame in China"
• Testing times
  "Controversy over mobile phone shielding for the gaokao"
• Magnetic attraction
  "Another stupendously expensive mag-lev system is coming your way"
• Greetings earthlings!
  "Introducing the blog. China sure is weird, etc."

CNET snagged a good one -- Will's one of the more entertaining and insightful China bloggers around. And even if the subject matter may be a little "old hat" for those glued to the Chinese internet, we can feel safe knowing that those outside the Middle Kingdom China are getting their info from a reliable source.

But what should excite you most (ladies, especially) about the Little Red Blog? We finally get to see what Imagethief looks like.