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Linus Puts Shields Up
wesmills writes "ZDNet, that fine purvayor of well-balanced, highly informative Linux stories (BS mode OFF) has written a piece complaining that Linus isn't as accessible as he used to be. You wouldn't answer the phone, either, if you had 1000s of journalists asking the same question all day, every day, would you? " I'm in an odd position: As a pseudo journalist I sometimes need to get ahold of people in that capacity, but I also have to deal regularly with media types who just want a lame quote for their article. After you answer the same questions time and time again, it gets amazingly tedious (And I've been known to tell reporters to read the FAQ too ;) I'm amazed Linus lasted this long. I hope that the levels of protection he's put in place give him some well deserved privacy.
Anyone know Scott Berinato's phone number so I can discuss this article with him?
Pork is not a verb
Posted by Mike@ABC:
If y'all don't know me, I'm the tech reporter at ABCNEWS.com. I've had occasion to talk with Linus on a number of occasions, and he's been very nice, very thoughtful, and I think has given my stories a unique and powerful perspective that they wouldn't have otherwise had.
I've noted on here that many of the posts are aimed at the journalists, and some rightfully so. But believe it or not, we're not all twinks, dweebs, shmucks and newbies. Some of us actually take the time to RTFM before we bother people.
Of course, many don't, and I don't blame Linus for putting up the shields.
Still, Linux isn't the underground project it was two years ago. This OS has become a powerful force in both business and technology, and the guy who continues to lead the project is obviously going to be in demand.
I would hope Linus continues to work with reporters (like me, hint hint) to get Linux out into the mainstream media. And I hope he and many of the other folks whom we constantly pester continue to exhibit their characteristic patience with the media.
The solution to the PR problem is simple -- Keep doing what we've always been doing. Develop publically, talk privately. Not the other way around.
You'll notice that in every situation where a person in a management role must also fulfill a spokesman role, that the whole situation will begin to slowly fall apart. Management and spokesmanship are mutually exclusive activities -- You cant perform one duty without somehow taking away from or harming your ability to perform the other...A veeeery important lesson I learned not too long ago. Anyone remember the GNOME Style Guide? (*grin*)
The press is basically looking for another Gates to put in the other corner of the computer industry's boxing ring. We'd be smart to let them stay confused rather than divert our attention to clueing them in. If you think about it, the press hasn't even comprehended the idea that nobody owns Linux yet. Its their responsibility to inform themselves, not ours, imho.
Bowie J. Poag
Bowie J. Poag