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.

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.

Looks like our long national nightmare will continue for another four years.

I had something important to do today. Can’t seem to remember what it is…

Today is the birthday of my mother, Mrs. Old Nole. Please join me in wishing her a very happy day.

You rule, mom!

Haven’t posted anything since we got home. Reason being is the big sleep deficit that we’ve built up since entering the hospital. It doesn’t leave much time for blogging, you know.

Travis spent the first day home being passed around a bit. He seemed calm and sleepy while it was all going on. Friday night, however, he cranked up and demanded to be fed almost all night long. Poor Kelly could barely keep up! We bought a rocking recliner last week and Kelly spent Friday and Saturday night in it, cradling Travis in her arms. She called the chair “our new best friend” for the next few weeks. I’d say it’s already paid for itself.

Last night, however, was heavenly. Up until last night, Travis seemed content to sleep only in someone’s arms. Before going to bed last night, we decided to see how he’d do in his bassinet. So, after Kelly topped him off, I placed the drowsy kid in the bassinet and crossed my fingers. He squeaked a bit here and there, but stayed asleep! It was a blissful three hours later before we heard him smacking on his hand. After a meal, he went another three hours before waking. Yet another hour later, he awoke for another snack, after which Kelly left him snoozing in bed between us. I awoke to see both of them, eyes closed and stretching dreamily next to me.

It’s nice to have Kelly sleeping next to me after a week apart, too. Nevermind that there’s a hungry little boy between us. 🙂

As he and I dozed chest-to-chest on the couch yesterday afternoon, I caught glimpse of his chanigng eye color. A glint of sunlight seemed to throw out a brownish tint. Kelly’s mom Linda agreed. And this morning, his brown eyes are even more apparent. Together with his dark brown hair, he is a handsome young man indeed!

We marvel at his strentgh, too. He is a week old today, and yet he has surprising strentgh in his arms and legs. His neck is super-strong, too: able to pick his head up off your chest and turn it from side to side. Kelly and I were thinking back to how excited we were when Hallie could finally do that. It didn’t take long with Travis.

Mommy and Travis head in today for his first doctor’s appointment. It’ll be interesting to hear his latest weight measurement. The Kid has been working hard to get bigger, so it should show.

Hallie has been quite a moody girl this weekend, too, though she seems much happier now that we’re all under the same roof. When Travis first cried Friday afternoon, Hallie got whiney and looked scared, saying “make Travis happy! He is happy!” again and again. Since that point, she seems to be more accepting of his cries. She’ll still say “he is happy,” but gone is the worried look and the tears.

Hallie also loves to point out the features of her brother. “He does have funny ears!” she’ll say as she points to his little ear. “He does have pretty brown eyes!” was something she said this morning.

We got home to find a giant, 7 foot tall stork sign planted next to our front porch, courtesy of our neighborhood. It has a plaque hanging on front with Travis’s birth statistics painted on it. We get to keep the plaque when the stork moves on to the next new arrival. We think it’s very cool that our neighbors do this for us. If that weren’t enough, they’re lining up to cook us some meals, too. What a great neighborhood!

I’m going to head into work today to try to catch up with all the work since I left. The company is moving so quickly that missing a week could leave me out of a lot of decision-making. I’m anxious to be back, but will certainly miss the time I’ve spent with our newly-expanded family.

We’re home now!

Kelly cut me loose tonight from the hospital. I decided to give Hallie more TLC as her world’s been so rocked with the arrival of her brother. Kelly’s mom volunteered to stay with her as I came back home.

Soon after I arrived, Kelly’s parents left for a visit with Kelly and Travis, leaving me with Hallie. Hallie was thrilled to see me at first, but then became her moody self of late. After her bath, she began to rebel against the choices I made for her bedtime routine, and I was presented with Fragile Girl again. I spent most of her bedtime having her contradict whatever the characters in her book were doing.

It’s tough seeing her so unhappy, but I feel some structure is comforting to her, on some level at least. I know she’ll eventually come along, but its tough right now to see those tears.

After Hallie went to bed, I had a lonely night at home until Kelly’s dad came back. We spent the rest of the evening having a nice fun chat about inventions. I stayed up much later than I anticipated, but it was time well spent.

Tomorrow Kelly and Travis leave the hospital. I’ll be there, too, to help with arrangements and drive her home. Finally, our family will be together again!

I posted more Travis pics into his gallery. There are sure to be more from today as my family will be here momentarily for more visiting.

We’ve spent the afternoon snoozing, mainly. Looks like the food supply has finally caught up to demand, which makes us all happier. Things are coming together now.

I’m going to head home tonight to do Hallie’s bedtime routine. It will be good for her and me to get a “routine” going again. Then it’s back here for another night on the Chair They Call A Bed.

A longer post when I get more time. I’m having too much fun!