Linux Gazette - History

History

It was started in 1995 by John M. Fisk as a free service. He went on to pursue his studies and become a medical doctor. At Mr. Fisk's request, the publication was sponsored and managed by SSC (Specialized Systems Consultants, who at that time were also publishers of Linux Journal). The content has always been provided by volunteers, including most of the editorial oversight.

After those years, the volunteer staff and the management of SSC had a schism (see Bifurcation below). The volunteer run magazine continues to thrive, while the magazine run by SSC has been closed down.

One way Linux Gazette differs from other, similar, webzines (and magazines) is The Answer Gang. In addition to providing a regular page devoted to questions and answers, questions to The Answer Gang are answered on a mailing list, and the subsequent conversations are edited and published as conversations. This started with an arrangement between Marjorie Richardson and Jim Dennis (whom she dubbed "The Answer Guy"). She'd forward questions to him; he'd answer them to the original querent and copy her on the reply; then, she'd gather up all of those, and include them in the monthly help desk column.

With its motto, "Making Linux just a little more fun", the magazine have always had a finger on the pulse of Linux's open, collaborating, and sharing culture.