[ Thanks to Fernando
Correa for this link. ]
“OLinux: Can you tell us detailed the history
and evolution of newsforge since it began?
Robin: NewsForge began because I wanted a site
that, unlike Slashdot, contained or linked to every possible news
story about Open Source Software and related matters, one that
could become a true “newspaper of record” for Open Source. We
started thinking about NewsForge in March 2000, went to work on it
in June, and formally launched in August.”
“OLinux: Later VALinux acquired Andover.net for
more than us$300 million. What changes took place after the
acquisition?
Robin: Not many aside from the name change, as
far as I’m concerned. We now work more closely with Linux.com,
themes.org, and SourceForge.net than we did before; VA had already
owned those sites. But we were already friends with the people who
ran them, so it’s no big change. A different signature on the
paycheck. :)”
“OLinux: What is the relation and
interaction between Newsforge and OSDN websites as salshdot.org,
sourceforge and many others? How content is exchanged? Is
there any formal relation?
Robin: Each site has a specific identity, a
separate focus, and a separate editorial policy. The general rule
is to make sure that we only exchange content when it will make a
site more valuable for its readers. An example of that might be the
NewsForge news feed on Linux.com, which is only NewsForge
stories about Linux, not about BSD or hardware. It simply made
sense to use that feed, which we already had, instead of creating a
separate one just for Linux.com. And on the other side, NewsForge
links to appropriate stories published on Linux.com, freshmeat
editorials, some Slashdot discussions, and some new project
announcements on SourceForge.net. But OSDN sites don’t give each
other preferential treatment on content exchanges. The point of
Open Source is to find the best everywhere, not to close the doors
and only pay attention to what your own company produces.”