Inside the Linux Foundation Purchase of Linux.com
Mar 04, 2009, 16:03 (0 Talkback[s])
(Other stories by Bruce Byfield)
"Some background: The Linux.com URL was acquired by VA Linux,
SourceForge's original name, in March 1999 for an undisclosed
amount, although some rumors place the price as high as one million
dollars. The site quickly become a major portal for original news
about GNU/Linux. Eleven months later, after the acquisition of
Andover.net, the owner of Slashdot and other sites, the company
became the largest free and open source software (FOSS)-related
media company in the world.
"News of the recent sale was given to Linux.com employees and
long-term contractors at the end of last November, when the
editorial budget was not renewed, and Robin "Roblimo" Miller, the
senior editor, received notice that he would be laid off. On
January 1, Lee Schlesinger, the former managing editor and the only
member of the Linux.com who was not let go, posted an article
entitled, "A new year, a new Linux.com," announcing that changes
were taking place."
"For about a month afterwards, readers speculated freely in
comments below this announcement. Many expressed anger that more
information was not being offered."
Complete Story
Related Stories:
