CNET, probably Ziff's stronger rival in the online industry news business, picked up a lot of CPA awards last year. The whole purpose of the notes he was exchanging with Papalia and others was to generate enthusiasm for the contest, because Ziff was having a hard time getting reporters and editors to enter or judge the awards. Jarboe wrote to Papalia. But that was all, he said. The Computer Press Association runs its awards in conjunction with Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, a well-respected institution that's trained plenty of reporters.
Winners get a dinner in New York and some recognition from their peers, who are also judges.
All this competition is probably good for the awards, said Neil Chase, the Computer Press Association's executive director, who said he'd seen and dismissed Jarboe's notes. As for the contest, Chase said reporters and editors who do the judging are often most critical of themselves and their own publications. More seriously, he said, CNet won last year for its good work. Certainly some of the attics, basements and garages of the world are less crowded than they used to be. The online auction business is also doing a lot for charity.