Linux Foundation woos with lifetime linux.com handle (The Register) [LWN.net]

The Register reports that @linux.com mailing addresses are available from the Linux Foundation for a one-time fee. "Previously, members needed to keep up with their yearly membership payments in order to hold a @linux.com addy. But as Zemlin tells us, folks kept requesting a way to hold on to their "geek street cred" without being tied to their membership status. With the change, current members can now secure the email from a one-time fee of $150. New members will need to pay $250 for a one-year membership along with the lifetime benefit."

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Linux Foundation woos with lifetime linux.com handle (The Register)

Posted Oct 13, 2009 20:21 UTC (Tue) by fuhchee (guest, #40059) [Link] (3 responses)

If genuine "cred" were for easy sale, everyone would buy some.

Linux Foundation woos with lifetime linux.com handle (The Register)

Posted Oct 13, 2009 20:48 UTC (Tue) by mmcgrath (guest, #44906) [Link]

> If genuine "cred" were for easy sale, everyone would buy some.

And to think Linus has spent years of hard work to get his geek cred.

If genuine "cred" were for easy sale, everyone would buy some.

Posted Oct 13, 2009 21:47 UTC (Tue) by tglx (subscriber, #31301) [Link] (1 responses)

Well spoken. The genuine geek/developer credits currency is patches and expertise not a buy in email address @linux.com.

It's sad that LF is acting like any other company instead of going the hard way of applying the same principles which foster the Linux/FOSS technical development to the business area.

We have already enough lack of common sense in business, politics and our societies. Do we really need another proof from the entity which claims to be the spearhead of the Linux/FOSS movement ?

Linux and FOSS are not products like iphones or any other fancy gimmick of the moment, but LF tries hard to impose the same marketing principles instead of sitting down and thinking hard about how to live up to the needs and expectations of those who contribute.

If genuine "cred" were for easy sale, everyone would buy some.

Posted Oct 14, 2009 15:22 UTC (Wed) by srepmub (guest, #47230) [Link]

how about paying their salaries?

Linux Foundation woos with lifetime linux.com handle (The Register)

Posted Oct 14, 2009 0:07 UTC (Wed) by sbergman27 (guest, #10767) [Link]

> New members will need to pay $250 for a one-year membership along with the lifetime benefit."

I guess my geek street cred will just have to suffer. I don't feel like giving Zemlin's organization $250. For one thing, I have very little respect for the Xenophobic Zemlin, who attacks anything non-Linux, whether it's posix-like or not. Of course... that's what he gets paid to do. Pretty much like his counterpart, Darl McBride. We don't need folks like that representing us.

Peace, Love, and Posix. :-)

So, how much would it cost to buy some lwn.net cred?

Posted Oct 14, 2009 2:07 UTC (Wed) by kmself (guest, #11565) [Link]

And before anyone jumps too quick, remember there's support costs involved, though pretty low.

their membership took MS's side in Bilski

Posted Oct 14, 2009 10:42 UTC (Wed) by coriordan (guest, #7544) [Link] (1 responses)

If they took our side in the Supreme Court Bilski case and argued against software patents, that would be real way to support the developers. That would have wooed me somewhat.

their membership took MS's side in Bilski

Posted Oct 14, 2009 14:24 UTC (Wed) by mjw (subscriber, #16740) [Link]

Which members did? I see Red Hat is a member (although not at the Platinum or Gold level) and they definitely are on "the right side" with respect to the Bilski case. Are other/higher paying members against?

Linux Foundation woos with lifetime linux.com handle (The Register)

Posted Oct 14, 2009 13:33 UTC (Wed) by kerick (subscriber, #53036) [Link]

Please bring back the old Linux.com, at least that was useful with the
occasional gem article. The new site is a poor attempt to compete with other
social networking sites IMHO.

Linux Foundation woos with lifetime linux.com handle (The Register)

Posted Oct 14, 2009 15:33 UTC (Wed) by days_of_ruin (guest, #58404) [Link]

"in order to hold a @linux.com addy."

"addy"? Gross.