For explaining personal technology to the masses, it has to be Walt Mossberg. The guy basically invented the commentary + review format that most mainstream publications use today.

For how much people in the industry wince when they heard she was rooting around, probably Kara Swisher. I can’t think of any reporters who struck as much a gut-level fear in the investors and executives I know.

Jessica Lessin has been doing interesting things lately with The Information’s business model, and has broken a lot of news lately.