[ubuntu-za] South African Ubuntu

[Tectonic]

On Mon, 2008-11-03 at 11:09 +0200, James Cuénod wrote:
> I have often thought about a South African open source magazine,
> there's Linux Format and Linux User and I think there are one or two
> others but they're insanely priced... What do you people think the
> market would be to start up a South African OSS magazine 

James,

It's a fantastic idea ;-) 

But, having run Tectonic for longer than I can remember and actually
starting an open source magazine, I can say with confidence it is a
labour of love rather than a sustainable project. Particularly print
magazines. They're expensive, hugely time-consuming to produce and heavy
to lug around. That is if you're looking to do it commercially and
actually get paid for any of your time.

Even big name magazines struggle to make enough money to get by. 

And to produce a magazine like Linux Format (which frankly you have to
do to make an impression in the market) is not a volunteer project.

I've always loved the idea of a local OSS magazine. I still do. I'm just
not sure the market is out there waiting for one. 

@morgan: 
Yeah, I also contacted Canonical about a cover disk and they said no.
"Make them yourselves and we'll provide the artwork," was the
approximate response.

A