SiliconValleyWatcher just posted an article stating that everybody's favorite blogger and the guy who has done more to bring blogging to the mainstream than any other person is leaving Microsoft and joining Podtech.net.

I don't know all the facts surrounding Robert's alleged departure, but I will say that this is a huge loss for Microsoft. Scoble gave Microsoft the sort of blogosphere credibility and influence that simply cannot be replaced at any price.

Since I am sure Microsoft knows that, I have to wonder what this tells us about Microsoft's view of the relevance and future of blogging?

I wish Scoble the best at his new gig.

As a shareholder, I wish Microsoft had stepped up to the plate and done whatever was needed to keep Scoble in the fold. Instead, Microsoft may have stumbled into another PR mess and certainly just became less relevant in the blogosphere.