ACM "Crossroads" E-Zine Does Special Linux Issue

amit_kr writes "ACM electronic magazine 'Crossroads' has an entire issue dedicated to Linux. Perhaps more interestingly, 'Crossroads' is sponsored in part by Microsoft. Do you think they asked Microsoft before running this issue? :-)" Actually, Amit, most reputable publications - even ones many Slashdot readers think are "bought" by Microsoft - are pretty strict about keeping a strong "wall" between the ad people and the editorial departments. But the irony here is still fun - and the articles are excellent, too, and well worth reading, no matter who sponsored them.

Comments

Re:Note of sanity

[khaberz]

I wholeheartedly agree. 'We' need more of that attitude to make 'us' look less like zealots with an allergy to everything that's even remotely related to MS.

And while we're at it: The advocacy-miny-howto is a must-read IMHO. Especially Chapter 6: http://www.linuxdoc.org/HOWTO/mini/Advocacy-6.html

Why?

[TheBeginner]

I always like the demand of slashdot readers that the sites always keep a wall between themselves and their sponsor. Or even more generally that publications keep a wall between themselves and their sponsors. Do I agree? Of course.

However, my question is why Do the sponsors keep a wall between themselves and the publication? Here I always read the arguments that in order for the public to respect the publication as a legitimate source, there must be the "wall".

Let's face it though. Maybe I'm understimating the American people, but I don't think it matters. Often, I think that the sponsors would make a hell of lot more money if they did not keep themselves separated from the publication.

In reality, the majority of readers would not notice the omissions of the blurbs saying that "Microsoft is a partner in MSNBC news."

Eh, I'm tired. I know I didn't finish this thought, but hey, I guess you can probably tell where it was going.

Re:Why?

[Sloppy]

Let's face it though. Maybe I'm understimating the American people, but I don't think it matters. Often, I think that the sponsors would make a hell of lot more money if they did not keep themselves separated from the publication.

There's a catch: The people are not unified, and thank Cthulhu, they never will be. There's a nerdy/picky/bitter/arrogant/whatever segment of the population whose money Ziff-Davis and Microsoft just aren't getting. In a relative sense, it isn't a lot of money compared to what the glass-eyed drooling hordes so thoughtlessly throw around to whoever has the most colorful covers. But in an absolute sense, it's real money that somebody would like a piece of.

If you're thinking of starting a media venture, you can opt to "sell out" and try to go for much larger market segment, but you'll be competing with the likes of PC Magazine, a TV show called "Friends", the latest Richard Gere and Julia Roberts movie, the Backstreet Boys, or whatever. Maybe you'll succeed, but you're more likely to get slaughtered. It's analogous to trying to market a word processor or a spreadsheet to Windows users. It's a longshot gamble: big payoff, but unlikely to win.

Or you can maintain some decent editorial principles, and try to go after a smaller market where there's less competition.

The reason the some publication have to maintain a wall is so that they don't lose their niche customers, and be forced to compete with the Big Boys. So I guess the question (of whether or not to have integrity) is just another marketing decision. Economically, it's not always bad, and it's not always good. (Andover may be wrestling with the question right now...)

Also, some people do it for enjoyment. :-) We're all taught that the sole purpose of a business is to make profit with no other considerations, but that just isn't always true. Some musicians play heavy metal even though they know they could make more money playing industrial-rap-core. Do you think CmdrTaco originally did Slashdot with thoughts of riches?

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Have a Sloppy day!

Re:Hell its been up for over 15 minutes & no first

[jfunk]

Boring?

Remember that not all of us use Linux simply for perusing Slashdot and playing Quake.

I found the DSP Shell article really interesting. I sent a link to a machine vision company I used to work for.