Farewell to Linux Journal
Summary
After decades of coverage, Linux Journal announces its closure, revealing how economically vulnerable independent specialist media are. Linux Journal started in 1994. The closure was announced in August 2019.
Ideas
- Technical magazines find it hard to fund elaborate editorial work through advertising.
- Free online content changes expectations of specialist publications.
- Archives preserve knowledge about earlier phases of Linux development.
- A dedicated readership does not guarantee a viable business.
Insights
- Community infrastructure includes documentation and journalism as well as source code.
- Expert knowledge can be valuable to society and economically insecure at the same time.
- The disappearance of editorial archives weakens technical memory.
Facts
- The magazine had already been temporarily discontinued in 2017.
Recommendations
- Archive important specialist articles in permitted, durable formats.
- Support independent publications that you use regularly.
References
Links to the original source and the Web Archive open in a new tab.