As some of you very well know, I used to write reviews for the previous iteration of Linux.com. As soon as the Linux Foundation took over the site and they ceased accepting new article proposals, I’ve been doing all of my blogging here. Even though it was a shock, and many nice people were laid off, I supported the Linux Foundation taking over Linux.com, and who better to control it than the foundation itself? However, it looks like the new Linux.com may let people down.
As soon as I found out that the Linux Foundation took control of Linux.com, I was very excited to see how it would be redesigned. There was even a place on the site to offer up ideas on what we all wanted to see, and some VERY good ideas were presented. Unfortunately, the Linux Foundation ignored virtually all of the really good ideas and instead made it into just another news site.
The fact is, we really don’t need more news sites. (Although blogging is something we should have more of). Having a news section on Linux.com isn’t necessarily a bad idea, but it shouldn’t be the primary focus. Open Source news is everywhere. When you bring up Linux.com, that’s the first thing you see; news. There are other things to do on the site though, however most of the goodies are buried within the menus. (Even the community forum takes some clicking around to find the first time). Finding anything other than news is not at first apparent, and it is very obvious that is what the focus is now.
Sure, I may be late in blogging about this, but I wanted to take as much time as I could to give Linux.com a full chance and maybe see the value that I’m not seeing with my own naked eyes. You might be thinking “it’s just a web site!”, which is probably true. However, while it may be “just a website” it is one that I and many others were always passionate about and share fond memories of. Remember, many talented writers and editors lost their jobs and maybe even mortgages over the site being redesigned, so for people to be put in financial jeopardy over this, the redesigned site better be damn good. Unfortunately, it’s just not.
And to think – Linux.com could have turned into something amazing. (Of course, this is only the beginning of the site being under new ownership, so perhaps it will improve). Just imagine all of the possibilities for a moment though. We could have had the biggest howto site for Linux in existence. We could have had an open-source Myspace styled community social media site, where users could have their own “space” and make friends with other Linux users that are into the same portion of the technology, and that would allow collaboration with other users on Linux projects. I even submitted this idea to the Linux Foundation when they were taking suggestions. It may or may not be a good idea, but come on – it’s better than another news site.
Perhaps there is nothing wrong with Linux.com, and the emphasis is just ill-placed. Maybe it’s just me being overly picky. Unfortunately, I am having quite a hard time finding value in the site beyond what it already had during its previous iteration.
Again, I’m not trying to doom the site or anything. I am hoping that Linux.com becomes the place it should be, the site that all Linux users set to their home page, communicate with each other through, collaborate on, and socialize within. (Let’s face it, finding other geeks like us can be hard sometimes).
One thing is for sure – If Linux.com doesn’t feature a Linux social networking section, that’s something I want to try to create. After all, it’s my idea and through the power of open source and collaboration, it could happen. 
What do you think? If you could improve the site, how would you do it? Or, are you satisfied with how it is now?
Jeremy is an A+ Certified IT Technician that blogs at ITNewsToday.com in his spare time. He has over ten years of industry experience, and studies the IT industry every single day. Jeremy has become an open source enthusiast over time and is studying for his Linux+ certification. He lives in Waterford MI with his wife Krystal and son Alan. 
Meh, had to register for this comment.
You haven’t really been looking trough the site. I find Linux.com to be like the facebook of geeks. You do make your profile there, and there are forums, personal applications, groups, and lot of other stuff a social network needs.
Linux.com is mainly a social networking site, not a news service. There seems to be just the most breaking news, and it’s ok to have them on frontpage, because visitor can see what is happening with Linux globally. The site is useful for companies who are thinking about switching to Linux, and the Gendarmerie-case and other news on front page are fabulous for showing them the possible pros.
Just click that community button and you’ll find another side of that site, it’s really not that hard to find.