LWN.net

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LWN
LWN.net (logo).png
LWN.net screenshot.png
A screenshot of LWN.net in Mozilla Firefox
Web address lwn.net
Slogan Linux info from the source
Type of site
News
Registration Optional
Available in English
Users Over 100,000
Written in Python
Created by Jonathan Corbet and Elizabeth Coolbaugh
Launched January 29, 1998; 18 years ago (1998-01-29)[1]
Revenue Subscription, Advertisement
Alexa rank
51,621 (April 2014)[2]
Current status Online

LWN.net is a computing webzine with an emphasis on free software and software for Linux and other Unix-like operating systems. It consists of a weekly issue, separate stories which are published most days, and threaded discussion attached to every story. Most news published daily are short summaries of articles published elsewhere, and are free to all viewers. Original articles are usually published weekly on Thursdays and are available only to subscribers for one week, after which they become free as well. LWN.net is part of Eklektix, Inc.

LWN caters to a more technical audience than other Linux/free software publications. It is often praised for its in-depth coverage of Linux kernel internals.[3]

The acronym "LWN" originally stood for Linux Weekly News; that name is no longer used because the site no longer covers exclusively Linux-related topics, and it has daily as well as weekly content.[4]

History[edit]

Jonathan Corbet at LinuxCon Japan (2010)

Founded by Jonathan Corbet and Elizabeth Coolbaugh and published since January 1998,[1] LWN was originally a free site devoted to collecting Linux news, published weekly.

At the end of May 2002, LWN announced a redesigned site.[5] Among the changes was a facility for readers to post comments about stories.

On July 25, 2002, LWN announced that due to its inability to raise enough funds through donations, the following issue would be its last.[6][7]

Following an outpouring of support from readers, however, the editors of LWN decided to continue publishing, albeit with a subscription model. New weekly editions of LWN are initially only available to readers who subscribe at one of three levels (group subscriptions are also available). After a 1-week delay, each issue becomes freely available to readers who are unable or unwilling to pay.

Contributors[edit]

LWN.net staff currently consists of:[8]

  • Jonathan Corbet, who oversees the front and kernel pages, as well as overall "executive editor" functions;
  • Jake Edge, who manages the security page and miscellaneous functions;
  • Rebecca Sobol, who edits the distributions page and daily updates;
  • Nathan Willis, who maintains the development page.

LWN.net also purchases a number of articles from freelance authors.[8]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Leading items". LWN.net. Our first announced issue was January 29, 1998 
  2. ^ "Lwn.net Site Info". Alexa Internet. Retrieved 2014-04-01. 
  3. ^ Mel Gorman (2004). Understanding the Linux Virtual Memory Manager. Prentice Hall. 
  4. ^ "The LWN.net FAQ: General questions". Retrieved 2012-08-06. 
  5. ^ LWN article announcing the new site design
  6. ^ LWN notice informing readers of funding issues
  7. ^ Stephen Shankland (2002-07-25). "Linux publication to close". CNET News. 
  8. ^ a b "The LWN.net FAQ: Content questions". Retrieved 2013-07-07. 

External links[edit]