Christina Tynan-Wood steps into the late Ed Foster's role as InfoWorld's consumer advocate in The Gripe Line It is with a certain amount of awe that I step into the role of InfoWorld’s consumer advocate. You see, the man who held this job before me was something of a legend in my world.I’ve been a consumer advocate for most of my career. I wrote or edited PC World’s “Consumer Watch” and “On Your side” columns for nearly a decade. I have a closet full of journalism awards for articles on industry scams, counterfeiting, bad business practices, and Internet dangers.But when I was beginning my career in technology journalism more than 15 years ago, Ed Foster was already a hero here at The Gripe Line, both to consumers and to his fellow technology journalists. When I was a doing my first ground-breaking investigative feature comparing the Q&A and manufacturing processes of major computer manufacturers, Ed was holding court here at The Gripe Line, keeping manufacturers accountable to their customers, standing up for the average consumer, and instructing the technology world on how to behave. I knew Ed only through his reputation. But I have long admired him as a strong man, a great journalist, and a kindred spirit. I am a fan of the forum he has built here and plan to carry it on in a way that would make him, and you, happy.I am your new consumer advocate here at The Gripe Line. I’m very pleased that InfoWorld is dedicated to keeping Ed’s vision of a fair place for consumers and corporations to iron out their differences. And I’m honored and thrilled to take on the job created by this highly admired man of the people.Please send me your questions, your problems, your beef with companies who have taken your money, and your gripes. I’m here to help. Technology Industry