Linux Foundation Purchases Linux.com

darthcamaro and several other readers have noted that the Linux Foundation has bought Linux.com from SourceForge Inc. (Slashdot's corporate parent). The Linux Foundation (employer of Linus Torvalds) will take over the editorial and community stewardship for the site; SourceForge will continue to supply advertising on it. "[Linux Foundation Executive Director Jim] Zemlin says the Linux Foundation wants to build a collaborative forum where Linux users can share ideas and get information on the Linux operating system. A beta of the site will be released in the next few months. ... Linux.com is being redesigned as a central source for Linux software, documentation and answers regardless of platforms, including server, desktop/netbook, mobile and embedded areas." What do you think should be on Linux.com?

Comments

What do you think should be on Linux.com?

[Anonymous Coward]

How about the proper spelling of the namesake's name?

Re:What do you think should be on Linux.com?

[Anonymous Coward]

Yes! For the last time:
It's GNU/LINUX TORVALDS!!!!!

Re:What do you think should be on Linux.com?

[Linux Torvalds]

What's wrong with how they spelled my name?

Re:What do you think should be on Linux.com?

[fewnorms]

Seriously, when is /. going to do something about kdawson? Crappy articles, misspellings, you name it.
If your guys can't even get the name right of the guy who pretty much wrote Linux, it's time to make some changes in the editorial department.

Re:What do you think should be on Linux.com?

[Em Emalb]

how quickly people forget jonkatz. ;-)

Re:What do you think should be on Linux.com?

[doug]

No, we only wish that we could.

Re:What do you think should be on Linux.com?

[icebraining]

Well, gnu.linux.com is just a subdomain of linux.com, so there's still hope! Btw, underscores on URL are major fail.

Re:What do you think should be on Linux.com?

[Zaiff Urgulbunger]

you've been waiting years for this moment haven't you?

Re:What do you think should be on Linux.com?

[X0563511]

Wrong. Linux is Linux is Linux... GNU is not a part of it.

Sure, they tend to go hand in hand, but I would offer that your hand and your arm are not the same thing (though they usually go together).

It's GNU/Linux because it's a GNU system running on/under the Linux kernel.

Re:What do you think should be on Linux.com?

[X0563511]

I think humbled is the antonym of what you're reaching for...

Re:What do you think should be on Linux.com?

[master5o1]

gnu-linux.com instead of gnu_linux.com (i dislike underscores in general).

gnu.linux.com should be what it is. www.linux.com and http://linux.com/ should just redirect to gnu.linux.com

Re:What do you think should be on Linux.com?

[capnez]

With a name like that your own moment, on the other hand, will never come, I'm afraid. :-(

Re:What do you think should be on Linux.com?

[ErkDemon]

Linux.com (mk 2) is an attempt to continue to build Linux as a brand with consumers, and build confidence in Linux as a reliable consumer product with decent support.

They've identified that while the Linux community have a tendency to complain that consumers are too dumb to use their OS, the community also has a self-destructive tendency to almost go out of their way to do things that deter the general public from using it. There's a tendency to present Linux as a computer hobbyist platform, a thing with funny names and in-joke abbreviations and prefixes, that needs specialist knowledge and tinkering to get it working and maintain it, along with occult information gleaned from specialist sites, and all sorts of funny skills ("compile a distro"? WT...?).

Windows is a brand. Apple is a brand. Linux is a geek archipelago.

That's what the new use of Linux.com is trying to fix. It's to provide a single on-ramp for anyone interested in Linux. They go to linux.com. Sorted. The existence of the branded .com site tells them that perhaps this is a finished product, and that perhaps its aimed at People Like Them. It reassures.

Now, if you call it gnu/linux you destroy the whole purpose of the .com project. What's GNU? Most people don't know. Most people don't care. They Don't Want To Know. They aren't computer enthusiasts, their skills and interests lie in other areas, and they just want something simple and reliable that they can install that'll let them run useful software to do the things that they actually //want// to do. They recognise the penguin, they've heard that the penguin is good, and perhaps they want to try the penguin ... And you're presenting them with some sort of cow thing. Confusion ensues. What does the cow do? Can they get the penguin without the cow? Is the penguin better than the cow? Who makes the cow? Should they be getting the cow //instead// of the penguin? Perhaps this penguin stuff isn't as simple as they thought, and they should come back again in another two to five years once all these cows and penguins have sorted themselves out and decided who's the winner.

At this point they've already lost their initial gleam of enthusiasm and are in a descending spiral of uncertainty and doubt. The G in Gnu stands for Gnu. It's an acronym for Gnu Is Not Unix. But without the "I". So now they're worried that they need to know //why// GNU isn't UNIX. And they don't want to learn about unix or the history of mainframe computing, they just want to use office apps and play MP3s and transfer the photos off their camera. They want something easy that does its job and gets out of the way, //without// them having to take a course in operating system history.

If the linux community aren't smart enough to realise that the consumer mass market consists of people who really don't give a damn about operating systems as long as the things work, then perhaps linux still isn't quite ready for the mass consumer desktop.

But the Linux.com initiative is a very, very good sign. It suggests that there are some people out there in LinuxLand who actually understand the task ahead, and have a good idea how to set about achieving it. If you really want Linux to have a chance of displacing MS on everybody's desktops, then this is EXACTLY the sort of thing that needs to be done.

Well done to those involved.

howtoforge.org does that just fine

[lordsilence]

Howtoforge.org has fulfilled that role for a long time which Linux.com aims to do now.

Re:howtoforge.org does that just fine

[dotancohen]

What do you think should be on Linux.com?

Porn.

Just like the rest of the internet.

Linus kernel

[Anonymous Coward]

Linux Torvalds? The guy that made the Linus kernel?

Re:Linus kernel

[kensan]

Yes, officially it's "Linus 2.6.29-rc4" see http://lkml.org/lkml/2009/2/8/129 ;)

LinuxAppStore

[godglike]

The one-stop, easy-install, multi-distro place for all your linux software needs.

Re:LinuxAppStore

[RiotingPacifist]

What about a hardware store? showing off and linking to the latest Linux hardware deployments and Linux supported hardware?

Also:
*news & articles (like the old linux.com, not just newsvac) covering the kernel, server & desktop developments
*NOT a major forum (there are plenty another just spreads the chance of you coming across somebody knowledgeable enough to fix your problem thinner)
*PERHAPS: A wiki (that is mainly based around merging the less distro specific stuff from gentoo,arch & other wikis)
*A parody of getthefacts that just plain laughs at microsoft.

Re:LinuxAppStore

[Midnight Thunder]

The one-stop, easy-install, multi-distro place for all your linux software needs.

Actually not a bad idea. It could also be handy to list all current distros and be a starting point for stuff for different people wanting to participate in the Linux experience, with starting points for end users, developers and managers.

Re:LinuxAppStore

[Tenebrousedge]

That's one good idea.

So, an App section, a Knowledge Base, a What-is-Linux? section, a News section, a forum, hmm. I don't know whether it would be worthwhile to reproduce or relocate the information from kernel.org, kernelnewbies.org, and/or distrowatch.com, but it seems like all of those websites have sprung up because linux.com was being used for other purposes.

I'd want all of those websites to be conglomerated into one source, but I don't know what problems that could present.

Re:LinuxAppStore

[mcbutterbuns]

LinuxAppStore Grand Opening!

All apps 100% off!*

*(for an unlimited time only)

Sounds like...

[XaviorPenguin]

...they want to do something like Windows.com and showcase all what Linux can do and be installed on and overall, share a wealth of information for all to enjoy.

It would be neat to see all of this and I can't wait to see what it will be like in the months to come.

Yes!

[quixote9]

A centralized source of Linux info would be GREAT! Especially if it had a search function that pointed you to a good complete answer to inexpertly phrased questions. Right now, pointing newbies at Google is one of the big linux turnoffs for them.

Re:Yes!

[larry bagina]

using google is worse than no information. Many guides and howtos are years out of date. (Google gives a higher page rank to older pages)

Re:Yes!

[Jurily]

A centralized source of Linux info would be GREAT! Especially if it had a search function that pointed you to a good complete answer to inexpertly phrased questions. Right now, pointing newbies at Google is one of the big linux turnoffs for them.

You cannot get more centralized than Google. And it also has a search function! Also, maybe there is no "good complete answer" that will work for everyone.

The main reason it's a turnoff is "Google it you moron" vs. "Have a look at http://www.google.com/search?q=nvidia+direct+rendering+slackware and see if someone already solved it". See the difference?

Re:Yes!

[Blakey Rat]

People who know the hardware in their computer, the specific distro they run, and what the problem is related to don't need the help. Well, they do, but they might already be serviced by Google.

You need to give the help to the people who ask, "hey, last week the doohickey worked with the internets thing, but now the button doesn't go anywhere and the doohickey disappeared!" That's a substantially harder problem, and if you could solve it you'd have one-up on Microsoft and Apple.

Re:Yes!

[RiotingPacifist]

Its a shame the "best source for information" keeps dying and being replaced, a good wiki is all thats needed. Hell play about with mediawiki and you could probably put up one wikipage with tabs to display distro specific details underneath a generic guide to the software.

Re:Yes!

[Fred_A]

I suppose that the idea is to get newcomers used to getting called idiots early on.

Make it beginner friendly

[Xs1t0ry]

Most of us experienced users know where to find good help and info so I think they should make linux.com primarily a site for beginners. It would include a broad overview, tutorials, howtos, information about distros and a lot of zealous pro-linux content to spread the love. linux.com is the obvious domain name for someone looking to learn about linux. Notice I say primarily for beginners and not totally. It should of course contain more detailed information.

That's fine and all

[Daimanta]

but does it run Linux?

Re:That's fine and all

[InfiniteLoopCounter]

It is probably running Linux and not a Windows Server. Really, now. Why would linux.com not run Linux servers?

When I tried the command the parent posted output for, I get something quite different.

nmap -sS -O -v linux.com

Starting Nmap 4.62 ( http://nmap.org/ )
Initiating Ping Scan at 11:03
Scanning 140.211.167.55 [2 ports]
Completed Ping Scan at 11:03, 0.25s elapsed (1 total hosts)
Initiating Parallel DNS resolution of 1 host. at 11:03
Completed Parallel DNS resolution of 1 host. at 11:03, 0.73s elapsed
Initiating SYN Stealth Scan at 11:03
Scanning fossology.org (140.211.167.55) [1715 ports]
Discovered open port 80/tcp on 140.211.167.55
Discovered open port 443/tcp on 140.211.167.55
Discovered open port 22/tcp on 140.211.167.55
SYN Stealth Scan Timing: About 42.88% done; ETC: 11:04 (0:00:40 remaining)
Completed SYN Stealth Scan at 11:04, 77.09s elapsed (1715 total ports)
Initiating OS detection (try #1) against fossology.org (140.211.167.55)
Retrying OS detection (try #2) against fossology.org (140.211.167.55)
Host fossology.org (140.211.167.55) appears to be up ... good.
Interesting ports on fossology.org (140.211.167.55):
Not shown: 1712 filtered ports
PORT STATE SERVICE
22/tcp open ssh
80/tcp open http
443/tcp open https
Warning: OSScan results may be unreliable because we could not find at least 1 open and 1 closed port
Device type: general purpose|WAP|switch|storage-misc|print server|remote management|broadband router
Running (JUST GUESSING) : FreeBSD 6.X (91%), Linux 2.6.X (86%), Actiontec Linux 2.4.X (85%), HP embedded (85%), Linksys embedded (85%), Netgear embedded (85%), Buffalo embedded (85%)
Aggressive OS guesses: FreeBSD 6.2-RELEASE (91%), Linux 2.6.24 (Debian) (86%), HP Brocade 4100 switch; or Actiontec MI-424-WR, Linksys WRVS4400N, or Netgear WNR834B wireless broadband router (85%), Buffalo TeraStation NAS device (85%), HP 4200 PSA (Print Server Appliance) model J4117A (85%), HP Onboard Administrator management console (85%), HP Brocade 4Gb SAN switch (85%), Linksys WRV200 wireless broadband router (85%), Linksys WAP54G WAP (85%), Linksys WRT300N wireless broadband router (85%)
No exact OS matches for host (test conditions non-ideal).

Nmap done: 1 IP address (1 host up) scanned in 87.182 seconds
                      Raw packets sent: 5216 (233.304KB) | Rcvd: 39 (2500B)

Re:That's fine and all

[pseudonomous]

Great, now their servers are going to go down becuase everyone's scanning their ports.

A redirect

[apankrat]

A redirect to .org seems to be an appropriate option.

Role of linux.com?

[jgurling]

I don't know for a fact, but I'd guess that a number of visitors will be people who have heard of "that linux thing" and punched in www.linux.com to find out more. While I think it's great that Ubuntu is great for having critical mass and gaining mainstream momentum, I also think it's in everyone's interest to explain, in simple terms, that Linux != Ubuntu, and that Linux is, in a manner of speaking, a whole lot more than Ubuntu.

Re:Role of linux.com?

[jgurling]

...Linux is, in a manner of speaking, a whole lot more than Ubuntu

To be certain, Linux is also a whole lot less than Ubuntu, given that it's just the kernel.

That why I say "in a manner of speaking". Of course the kernel is less, when taken in isolation. But Ubuntu is "just" a desktop/notebook/server OS, an example of the Linux kernel at work. Linux on the other hand can be seen where Ubuntu is not, and provides for a much greater outreach than Ubuntu alone.

And for what it's worth, I use Ubuntu as my primary OS and would consider myself a fan.

Re:Role of linux.com?

[Abreu]

I think the linux=ubuntu mindset is cyclical... not too long ago, it used to be linux=redhat

Here's to some serious improvement!

[red_blue_yellow]

With such an obvious name, linux.com is where many newbs go first. The forums were not that great to begin with, and in the last few weeks they even lost all formatting, including newlines. I'm glad to see that such an important domain name will be put to good use now.

A "face" for Linux.

[JustinOpinion]

What do you think should be on Linux.com?

One thing I would like is for it to be a clear and professional page that invites and excites people to learn more about Linux.

What I mean is this: Right now if you google "Linux", the first hit is linux.org. That site has some good info, and even has an explanatory paragraph about what Linux is... but (how to put this nicely?) it doesn't look professional. It doesn't scream "this is a sophisticated and powerful (yet user-friendly) system supported by (and supporting) billion-dollar industries." Instead the impression a first-time visitor will get is that Linux is arcane, old-fashioned, and disorganized.

The fact is that when any of us talk to others about Linux (whether as a home desktop or for business-use), the person will go and search "Linux" and end up being confused. So I would like "linux.com" to have a really carefully designed frontpage, that explains what Linux is, looks very professional (maybe with tie-ins to big-name companies to make the suits feel more comfortable), and helps people get what they need (links to downloads, FAQ, community sites, all that good stuff...).

The Ubuntu homepage is pretty good in this regard. I'm sure I'm not alone in having switched over the last few years from telling people to "read more about Linux" to telling them to "read up on Ubuntu". It's just easier to pick a distro for them (they can always change when they learn more), and Ubuntu has put a nice "face" on the Linux ecosystem. Their homepage doesn't overload you with info, and provides clear links to downloads, community, etc.

So while I hope linux.com becomes many things to many people (and has all the news and content that we geeks want), I hope they take this opportunity to make the mainpage a useful portal for people who want to learn more about Linux. (Since it will be an obvious place for a newbie to first look.)

Re:A "face" for Linux.

[Blakey Rat]

Oh my CHRIST! You're right, I didn't even believe it.

The text, when you visit http://linux.org/ reads:

Incorrect Site

For comprehensive information about Linux please visit our proper site, www.linux.org.

Please update your bookmarks and any links you may have to this old site.

What it should read is something along the lines of:

Duuuh

Despite Linux's popularity, this site is run by people who aren't smart enough to point linux.org and www.linux.org to the same page. (It apparently worked in the past, but we broke it.)

Please update your bookmarks and any links you may have to this old site, because we pointlessly and broke all our own links when we broke our own site and probably slaughtered our own pagerank in the process.

I agree wholeheartedly with the parent. It's amazing that a site like this still exists in 2009... heck I'd much rather see http://linux.org/ just 404 or time-out then give you this crap. "Proper site!" Unbelievable.

My list

[microbee]

1. monthly debate on the best Linux distro
2. monthly debate on binary kernel modules, proprietary software and GPL, plus ridiculing RML's mustache
3. quarterly email exchanges between Linus Torvalds and other users with the latter calling the former former arrogant bastard and the former calling the latter "a bunch of wanking monkeys"
4. weekly discussion on how Windows sucks and bookkeeping on the number of chairs thrown out of Redmond buildings
5. monthly whining about how slow Debian development is
6. bi-annually mention of Hurd and that it's going to be ready "soon"

Re:My list

[PReDiToR]

No, the vi/ema*coughshitchough*cs battle has been replaced by KDE/Gno*coughshitchough*me argument.

Even more so, KDE has two camps, those that run a full featured desktop suite with a rich experience for the users with everything they will ever need, and those fools that use 4.x.

See? =)

Those who dont learn from history...

[Seraphim_72]

So why did Sourceforge let Linux.com go essentially dead at the turn of the year?

All I ask for is the clear, thorough (mostly), and timely writing that was the hallmark of the articles that were on the front page of the old Linux.com.

Re:Those who dont learn from history...

[John Hasler]

> So why did Sourceforge let Linux.com go essentially dead at the turn of the year?

Lack of money, most likely.

Advertising

[Hatta]

"The Linux Foundation (employer of Linux Torvalds) will take over the editorial and community stewardship for the site; Sourceforge will continue to supply advertising on it."

Good, I was worried they would run out.

Re:Why did Sourceforge have it in the first place?

[retchdog]

They most likely had already a free sub-license for the trademark: http://www.linuxmark.org/

Revoking a nominally perpetual license, in order to take over someone's website, would be rather questionable...

Jakeroberts

[jakeroberts]

How about no more Microsoft advertisements. I understand its a money thing but you wouldn't take money from a crack dealer would you?

Let 'er rip

[NotBorg]

What do you think should be on Linux.com?

If they really want the community to decide then they should just make it a blank Wiki and let it go with the only restriction being that content be related to Linux.

games

[doti]

What do you think should be on Linux.com?

Linux games.

Re:games

[John Hasler]

We have Nethack. There is no need for anything else.

Welcome to linux.com

[shutdown -p now]

Welcome to Linux.com!

You can do anything with Linux, anything at all!

Re:Welcome to linux.com

[Anonymous Coward]

For the idiots who don't get the joke..

domain not sold.. was given.

[nsanders]

The article never said it was sold and I know that it wasn't. It was given by Sourceforge to the LF. But hey, this is slashdot and headlines almost always are incorrect :-)

Check this out, your wish is granted

[zogger]

You just need to use the correct search engine "wifi config"

Email!

[Rgb465]

Email addresses, of course. I'd pay for a @linux.com email address...1gb storage, SSH access to mutt/pine/emacs, IMAP/POP, decent webmail package... yeah, I would definitely pay for that. Premium for good service. :)

Python

[hitchhacker]

Now can we please acquire (NSFW): python.com and redirect it to (SFW): python.org?

-metric

Alternate user-land

[DrYak]

And when I actively choose to use the non-GNU versions of things it becomes..?

Busybox and uClib running above the Linux kernel.
A very popular combination in the embed world.

Brand recognition

[starfishsystems]

The Linux brand has enormous leverage. We should make the most of it.

The best function that linux.com could serve is as a portal into Linux resources and the entire Linux community. But it has to be organized in such a way as to make Linux adoption as easy and painless as possible. There's no conflict between that and all the other capabilities we might like the site to have.