Bug 296878 – LWN.net group subscription

• Product: Gentoo Linux
• Status: RESOLVED WONTFIX

[Description Torsten Veller (RETIRED) 2009-12-14 12:26:57 UTC]

Hi,

I'd like to propose to evaluate a group subscription to LWN.net.

I don't know how expensive it will be, if we can afford it or find a sponsor(s)
for it (<http://lwn.net/op/CorporateSubscriptions.lwn>). And more important, if
devs think it is worth it.

Some projects offer a subscription to their members:
- Debian <http://lwn.net/Articles/13797/>
  for all developers, sponsored by HP
- Ubuntu <http://www.jonobacon.org/2009/03/24/ubuntu-members-get-free-lwn-subs/>
  for all members, paid by Canonical
- Fedora <http://www.mail-archive.com/[e-mail]/msg01314.html>
         <http://osdir.com/ml/fedora-advisory-board/2009-03/msg00040.html>
  75 accounts, "purchase was made from the budget of Red Hat's Community Architecture team"
  The second link also mentions some problems if money matters.

[Comment 1 Alec Warner (RETIRED) 2009-12-14 16:53:10 UTC]

I think we should:

 - Determine via email how many folks are interested in utilizing such a service.
 - Add X number of subscriptions over that amount (where X is probably < 10).
 - Get a quote for that many subs.

Other things of note:
 - They claim to offer cheaper subs for nonprofits (and we are one, but not yet 501c3?); so perhaps we can cut a better deal.
 - Remember that a number of devs already have an LWN sub.
 - I'd rather buy one myself (since I have a job and whatnot) than have Gentoo pay for one for me.

-Alec

[Comment 2 Robin Johnson 2009-12-14 19:51:10 UTC]

I've personally had one in the past, but didn't find myself using it enough to justify renewing.

[Comment 3 Roy Bamford 2010-01-17 21:08:08 UTC]

At the trustees meeting of 17 Jan 2010 the trustees voted against funding subscriptions to LWN.net.  The snippet from the log is:-
NeddySeagoon Willikins, bug 296878
Willikins NeddySeagoon: https://bugs.gentoo.org/296878 "LWN.net group subscription"; Gentoo Linux, Unspecified; NEW; tove@g.o:trustees@g.o
NeddySeagoon What is LWN.net and how would funding subscriptions fit into the foundations stated purpose ?
quantumsummers linux weekly news
dabbott http://lwn.net/
NeddySeagoon  how would funding subscriptions fit into the foundations stated purpose ?
quantumsummers hmm, difficult to say. I do know that sec vulns are published there, but I have not used lwn much
NeddySeagoon I vote no, as I don't see news like this helping FOSS
robbat2 a no from me as well, per my comment on the bug
NeddySeagoon dabbott, quantumsummers a vote please
* quantumsummers votes no
dabbott no
NeddySeagoon bug defeated - the foundation will not fund subscriptions

[Comment 4 Robin Johnson 2015-11-13 20:28:02 UTC]

finance-audit: confirmed nil impact.