Is Linux Format nearing it's end [ANSWERED: No it isn't]

[linux_dan]

Hello,

Is the end near for Linux Format?

I fear the worse as I seen the signs with so many other magazines.

First the paper changes to a thicker grade - then the page count drops slowly.

Now the letter page has dropped from four to two.

I hope not!

Dan

[ChriThor]

Hey Dan,

Short answer: No.

Longer answer: I wouldn't start worrying yet. Rather than quote Mark Twain, I'll steal Granny Weatherwax's sign instead and wave "I Aten't Dead" under your nose.

The fact is more people are reading it, and that tends to be the main indicator of whether a mag is about to die or not.

In regard to the letters pages dropping to two, well, we did that for an issue to squeeze another feature into the magazine.

Thanks,

Chris

[neilmohr]

Hi Linux_dan, just to allay your fears somewhat the letters page in issue 181 was cut from four to two pages to enable us to squeeze in a fourth feature. We're going to run with three pages for a while to help add more tutorial space. As it is, sales are stronger now than a year ago, so the magazine remains perfectly healthy!

[BluePenguin]

If the magazine is doing so well, when will the removed pages be put pack into the magazine? And why is LXF reprinting old content from other magazines?

Doesn't add up to me...

[neilmohr]

A user recently joins and makes three negative posts about the magazine and website. Doesn't add up to me... Anyway, Bluepenguin, I'm not expecting to change your opinion, but the magazine is doing pretty healthily thanks to our loyal readership and the increasing popularity of GNU/Linux through the Pi and in general. Perhaps we could be happy about that?

[Rhakios]

A user recently joins and makes three negative posts about the magazine and website. Doesn't add up to me...

Really? I thought that having a good moan was the most obvious motive for signing up.

[nelz]

Speak for yourself...

[purplepenguin]

the letters page in issue 181 was cut from four to two pages to enable us to squeeze in a fourth feature. We're going to run with three pages for a while to help add more tutorial space

Sounds good to me. +1 for more tutorials / fun features. -1 for boring letters.

PS. I for one am getting rather bored with all these "are LXF dead" posts. It's been discussed several times now. The truth is only time will tell.

[Marrea]

-1 for boring letters.

Boring?

Surely not. LXF readers never write boring letters. I love reading the views and various likes/dislikes of fellow Linuxers and gaining an insight into their personalities.

[Dutch_Master]

I've let my sub lapse as the publisher pretty much consistently managed to get my copy in the letterbox about a week after the same issue went on sale in my country It so happened this lapsing coincided with the editorial changes. I'm sure the new team will do a great job, but they've been let down by the publishers (who've been let down by their delivery contractors. Not surprised really, given that they only employ underpaid part-time staff to deliver the mail, "at a time it suits you" (that is, the mail-man/woman, not the customer ))

Only the sun rises for free, for all of the rest, you're charged

[purplepenguin]

Boring?

I love reading the views and various likes/dislikes of fellow Linuxers and gaining an insight into their personalities.

That's what the forum is for...

I don't have anything against the letters pages. But I'd be happy if they reduced them or chopped it out completely if it means we can have more tutorials, reviews, features etc.

Surely nobody buys the mag for the letters pages...

[Rhakios]

I don't have anything against the letters pages. But I'd be happy if they reduced them or chopped it out completely if it means we can have more tutorials, reviews, features etc.

Surely nobody buys the mag for the letters pages...

No, but they love to print those, "Your magazine is wonderful, it's changed my life! Really!" (subtext: make mine the star letter and send me a freebie, pleeease!) letters that make the staff feel better and rest of us cringe.

Or perhaps I've become cynical over the years...


... yes that's it, it must be. The magazine is wonderful and has changed my life.

P.S. Now where's my freebie?

[purplepenguin]

We're going to run with three pages for a while to help add more tutorial space.

Rhakois. It would seem the new editor is immune to such smoke blowing. Or perhaps people aren't declaring enough love in their letters. As he is already going to cut one of the pages.

Keep up the good work Neilmohr, You are the best editor of all time. The magazine has changed my life, I'm free from the digital handcuffs of the Windows police thanks to your excellent magazine. Now where is my freebie?

(PS. no sarcasm intended.)

[Marrea]

Surely nobody buys the mag for the letters pages...

No, of course people don't buy the mag for the letters page alone. That would be ridiculous, but surely it must be helpful to the editorial staff to discover whether their readers find the articles they are publishing useful or not. (I'm not sure that everyone who buys LXF is necessarily also a member of this Forum and therefore a conventional letter or email may be their preferred method of expressing their views.) I can't think of many magazines I buy which don't have a letters page.

No, but they love to print those, "Your magazine is wonderful, it's changed my life! Really!" (subtext: make mine the star letter and send me a freebie, pleeease!) letters that make the staff feel better and rest of us cringe.

Or perhaps I've become cynical over the years...

Rhakios I think indeed you have, as I have too - it comes to us all with age! . But the vast majority of letters surely are not couched in sychophantic terms. I've just been looking at Mailserver in LXF180 and only the "Praise!" letter by Chris Wood falls into this category.

Just as you can never get two Linux users to agree on the best distro so there will always be differing opinions on the right balance of articles to include in the magazine.

[heiowge]

I like the letters page. Maybe one day I'll get something I write on there.

I've had 4 or 5 Q&As in the mag (3 as star questions) over the years, but never made it to the magnificent letters page. Long may it live!