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2020 has been strange. So moving my coverage of all things #Linux and #OpenSource from Forbes to Medium doesn’t even seem that weird. Here’s why I’m doing it, and here’s your one chance to read what really transpired…
#Writing is in my blood. I’ll never escape it. I spent 15+ years pouring words onto digital pages about the tech, music & video game industries. Before the internet was a thing I scratched out lyrics, poems & stories. I suppose my passion never fades; only the platform does.
I started at Forbes in 2012. I’ve generated 10s of millions of views. In 2018, I shifted from gaming to Linux and open source. I asked at least 4 editors to move me from Gaming to Technology. I asked for a “Linux” category since I was driving so much traffic. Not one response.
I poured everything into Forbes, motivated by the difference I was making. By shining a new kind of mainstream light on Linux. By making it more conversational, more accessible. More fun! Countless people shared their enthusiasm for this approach. Many were convinced to try it!
Forbes is the longest I’ve stayed at the same job. Also the only job I've been paid LESS over time. 1st there was the sitewide paycut. Then less incentive for repeat visitors. Then Forbes said “after 3 months your content is worth nothing.” That was the line in the sand...
Oregon Coast Trail @killyourfm@layer8.spaceSee, that only made people write more clickbait. It emphasized being topical instead of writing evergreen content. Words that LAST. It encouraged quantity over quality. To be quite blunt: fuck that.
Nevermind the 72 trackers on the site and the extremely aggressive ads.
While the majority of my time has shifted to covering Linux on YouTube (at https://youtube.com/LinuxForEveryone), I still plan to write about the exciting Linux developments that matter to me. I still plan to share my personal discoveries, my opinions and my suggestions...
And on @medium@twitter.com, there’s no need to hit a target word count, or appeal to Google, or write clickbait headlines. The storytelling matters. The quality matters. Giving value to the reader matters. So that’s where I’ll live now. But that’s just the beginning. https://medium.com/linuxforeveryone
Linux For Everyone won’t be a solo act anymore. So, the words you find on L4E Magazine at Medium won’t just be mine. I’m handpicking a few friends to help generate some awesome content, and YOU are welcome to submit your words too! I’ll have a guide for that published next month.
I hope you’ll support me in this new chapter. If you want to help but not sure how, just ask me. Right now, the best way is sharing the content you enjoy, whether that’s on Medium or on YouTube. Have a great weekend, and take care of each other. Thanks for reading this.
@killyourfm What is the best way to help out L4E monetarily?
@gregandcin Honestly, buying merch!
https://shop.spreadshirt.com/l4estore
If you're outside the US you'll get redirected to an EU version.
@killyourfm I’ll check out the merch shop. I really admire you getting Linux and FOSS so much exposure on such a mainstream business pub as Forbes. You’re gonna do great with whatever’s next keep it up!
@jrm thanks for the positive words!