Gina Trapani is the much celebrated founder of popular blog Lifehacker, a part of the Gawker Media blog network. She left the lead editor role just over a month ago and is now doing columns only, as well as writing post for her recently launched Smarterware blog. So where does she stand now? Let’s find out!

Congratulations on the launch of Smarterware, Gina! What can readers expect from your new blog, and how does it differ from your previous work at Lifehacker?

Smarterware is a personal tech blog, which means I’m going to take off the distanced reporter hat I wore a lot at Lifehacker and be a fan, and speak in the first person. Blogs are perfect for that, but when a news blog like Lifehacker grows its audience and its staff, it’s easy to get away from that and read more like a magazine.

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You probably recall the news that Gina Trapani steps down from popular Gawker Media blog Lifehacker, with Adam Pash picking up the reins. Well, today’s the day, and she’s got a nostalgic post up, looking back at launching Lifehacker, what happened next, and so. It’s an interesting read, so check it out.

Popular blog Lifehacker, a part of the Gawker Media blog network, is seeing some changes come January 16. Lead editor Gina Trapani is stepping down, and Adam Pash will take her place.

After a wild and woolly four years at the helm, I’m stepping down from the site lead position to work on Some New Stuff on a day-to-day basis in 2009. To be clear, my decision has nothing to do with the big bad economy or any kind of scandalous company blow-up—it’s just time for me to move onto new projects. It’s tough letting go of something I love so dearly, but it’s easier knowing it will be in very capable hands.

Good to hear, no Nick Denton slashing the workforce this time.

Adam Pash has been a Lifehacker contributor for 3 years, so he should know how things work. Also, Gina Trapani will continue to post on the blog, as well as do some other stuff, so she’s not disappearing totally. A little more in the announcement post.

Nick Denton’s successful blog network is getting ready for harder times. 19 of the 133 employers is being laid off, while another 10 is hired to strengthen the successful sites like Gawker, Kotaku, Gizmodo and Lifehacker. He’s also temporarily suspending the pageview bonus system, which have already seen some slashing, for the first quarter next year, while hinting that it might be out of the loop longer in his memo. It’s not all bad news for Gawker Media bloggers, though, since the base pay amount will be raised for the ones not getting sacked.

Denton blames the recession. read more