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November 3, 2004
Cheap Thoughts
I was thinking the other day that I need to get in touch with my inner Manhattanite.
No, I’m not sure what it means. But I like the concept.
Linux Journal Erects A “Costwall”
In surfing for knowledge on a project at work, I discovered that Linux Journal has locked all its archive content behind a “costwall.”
I found it ironic that Doc Searls is a senior editor at LJ and has in the past blasted costwalls in his blog (and rightfully so). Doc professes ignorance of the change, though I can bet the decision won’t sit well with him.
Below is my letter to Doc and SSC, publishers of Linux Journal:
Hi Doc,
I had bookmarked a nifty article on LDAP called “OpenLDAP Everywhere:”
http://www.linuxjournal.com/article.php?sid=6266
Just last week, that link would take me to the article. Now I get the dreaded “please register!” junk that steers me away from so many publishers on the web. I don’t care if it’s free to register or one-time-only or anything. It’s a bother and I’d rather not deal with it. Seeya. On to the next search result.
I know publishers are in business to make money. That’s cool, because LJ performs a wonderful service to the Linux community, one that would be hard to replace if it went out of business. But as you’ve written many times before, a two year old article has the approximate print value of fishwrap. Why lock it up when it can work for you?
I love that I can quickly search for one of LJ’s informative articles using the Ubiquitous Search Engine. My searches lead me to jewels of information: those in LJ. It’s the best information about a topic available on the web. Posting it becomes a compelling, worldwide advertisement for the magazine. The web stuff enhances the print edition’s value, not the other way around.
I still carry the latest print issue around with me, because I value the convenience. I also enjoy the photographs, layout, and yes, even the advertisements. There will always be room for both formats, because they’re complimentary. Take away one, however, and you lessen the other.
So I’m curious as to what LJ fears by leaving the door open. You may very well be slamming it in the face of new customers.
Your Faithful Penguinista,
—
Mark Turner
www.markturner.net
Let’s hope they see the value of keeping their archives open.
Flunking Out Of The Electoral College
This quote popped into my mind as I watched the dust settle on this election: “I am committed to helping Ohio deliver its electoral votes to the President.” That was Walden O’Dell, CEO of Diebold, makers of easily hackable voting machines.
Not that I think Ohio’s votes were anything but honest, because I believe that they really were honest. I just think its spooky that he’d say that before Ohio goes and takes the title of Election Battleground away from Florida.
Truth be told, I think the whole electoral college voting is as rigged as a Midway carny game. “Close, but no cigar, kid! Try again, yuk yuk yuk.” I’d like to see direct elections in this country.
Kerry Concedes. Earth Doomed.
Looks like our long national nightmare will continue for another four years.