The last post. Photograph: PA
At the beginning of the year we embarked on an experiment. The aim was to find out what happened when a newspaper wrote a blog. Imaginatively, we called it The Observer Blog. I became the newspaper's blogosphere ambassador, writing about decisions we were making in the newsroom; what was distracting us when we should have been making decisions in the newsroom; freebies sent to try to distract us when we were already distracted in the newsroom and, of course, the news.
Over time the blog has evolved. We have learned a lot. We have learned, for example, that opinion is very sharply divided about whether or not newpapers should dare park their rusty tank on bloggers' lawns; on the merits of Oasis, and of David Aaronovitch; that there is no guessing which things capture the imagination nor what Kamal will have for tea. More important, we discovered a lot of great blogs, now dwelling in the bookmarks of otherwise luddite Observer hacks, and a respect for the judgment, insight and wit of the UK blogosphere. We also uncovered a lot of great tunes, and did our bit to forestall at least one rural post office closure.
Early next year the Observer resiszes to the 'Berliner' format, recently adopted by the Guardian. As part of a wider redesign we are thinking about how best to develop and sustain the dialogue we started on this blog with our readers (and with a fair few bloggers who don't buy the newspaper religiously every Sunday. Shame on you. You know who you are).
Meanwhile, there is a lot of change at the Observer. I am hanging up my fingerless blogging gloves, plastic Blog Monitor badge, and non-prescription extra-thick-rimmed, imitation geek blogging glasses, at least in a professional capacity. Just as soon as I get back from my honeymoon; I will be returning to the blogosphere in a private capacity - I will set up stall somwhere where I can write about newspapers less and swear more. But, with all hands already occupied on the Berliner pump, the Observer blog is going into mothballs indefinitely.
Thanks to everyone who commented, emailed stuff and said nice stuff. Thanks especially for keeping the Observer blog a generally civil, fun and troll-free zone (pace friends of Oasis.) It's been a blast.
Takes off Blog Monitor badge. Drains last dregs of cold coffee from waxy paper cup. Shuts down computer.
