Isn't this off-topic for LWN?

Posted Dec 23, 2004 12:19 UTC (Thu) by wookey (guest, #5501)
Parent article: James Barry Corbet 1936 - 2004

I appear to be in something of a minority here, but I don't see what this has to do with Linux or LWN. I can see why it's of personal interest to our editor, and the article was OK as this guy seems more interesting than your average joe, but I do think the frontpage of LWN should remain essentially on-topic, and this article wasn't.

Call me a miserable curmudgeon if you like, but I thought it should be said.

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Isn't this off-topic for LWN?

Posted Dec 23, 2004 15:57 UTC (Thu) by obobo (guest, #684) [Link]

One of the strengths of the LWN community (and Free software communities in general) are that they are just that, communities. Jonathan's personality and humanity shine through each issue of LWN, and are a big reason why I read it. I think that news of such an important event in Jonathan's life should certainly be on the front page.

Jonathan, let me add my condolences. Your father's story and spirit are an inspiration.

-Bill

Isn't this off-topic for LWN?

Posted Dec 24, 2004 1:16 UTC (Fri) by sbergman27 (guest, #10767) [Link]

Wookey, I truly do not understand the motivation for your post. As a long time reader of LWN, and now a long time subscriber, I value this publication, and the ability of its chief editor to choose stories which are relevant to this site, as well as to create engaging original content. This story is quite relevant to this site, and to FOSS in general. And for more reasons than one. I suspect that it is a case of "If you don't understand it, it probably can't be explained."

Peace, and long life,
Steve Bergman