Linux Journal FAQ

This FAQ contains information about Linux Journal (LJ), the premier magazine covering the Linux community. Topics covered include a history of LJ, general information, editorial content, advertising in LJ, and subscriptions.

General Information and History of Linux Journal

Linux Journal, currently celebrating its 26th year of publication, is the original magazine of the global Linux community, delivering readers the advice and inspiration they need to get the most out of their Linux systems.

In-depth information provides a full 360-degree look at featured topics relating to Linux, giving a comprehensive source of everything readers need for creating and completing their own projects -- not just tools they will use today, but relevant and encompassing information they will turn to in future months and years. In addition to how-to content, Linux Journal includes opinions, new product information, profiles of leaders making major contributions in Open Source and product reviews. It also covers business, social and technical news and developments in order to fulfill its mission as the central forum and advocate for the greater Linux community throughout the world.

Linux Journal was first published in April 1994 by Phil Hughes and Bob Young, co-founder of Red Hat. Hughes went on to continue publishing Linux Journal for more than a decade, and in 2006, he handed the reins to long-time LJ employee Carlie Fairchild.

Linux Journal's very own former superstar Doc Searls, named one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in IT by eWeek, former executive editor Jill Franklin, former tech editor Kyle Rankin, former associate editor Shawn Powers, and former contributing editor Petros Koutoupis lead the way with inspiring editorial direction for the magazine. Regular LJ contributors include a list of Linux luminaries, such as, Reuven Lerner, Dave Taylor, Zack Brown, and Glyn Moody, just to name a few.

Subscriptions

Currently, Linux Journal is published online only.

Linux Journal Content

Linux Journal is the leading media brand of the Linux and open-source markets. To ensure unmatched coverage, Linux Journal has proudly featured regular columns written by the now famous team of Kyle Rankin, Doc Searls, Shawn Powers, Reuven Lerner, Zack Brown, Dave Taylor, and Glyn Moody. Learn more about these columns and other regular Linux Journal departments:

 

  • Hack and / Always on the search for new Linux tricks? Kyle Rankin's Hack and / features shortcuts, tips and hacks that cover a wide range of Linux topics from security to multimedia to command-line sleight-of-hand. This column seeks to strip the complexity away from HOWTOs and leave you with simple steps to accomplish useful things. Whether you are new to Linux or already have a large repertoire of skills Hack and / has something for You.
  • Open-Source Classroom Shawn Powers' Open-Source Classroom column is written to smooth out the learning curve on Linux and other open-source technology. Whether it's learning to use a Raspberry Pi by building a bird-feeder cam or improving in-house internet browsing with a caching DNS server, Shawn makes the complicated simple and the monotonous fun. Although certainly accessible to new Linux users, Open-Source Classroom doesn't try to be a beginner's column; it just tries to make learning fun--for everyone.
  • At the Forge Reuven Lerner’s At the Forge explores programming languages, databases, libraries and techniques that modern developers should know. From Web app development to relational and NoSQL databases to open-source languages that are making a splash, Reuven's columns not only explain the how but also the why, with plenty of concrete examples. Recent topics have included a series on machine learning, a review of features in the latest release of PostgreSQL, and an introduction to "dataclasses", a feature in the upcoming release of Python 3.7.
  • diff -u Zack Brown’s diff -u provides a selection of interesting discussions taking place in Linux kernel development. Security issues, new features, ongoing controversies, the kernel development process itself, and other topics all find expression in the many thousands of emails that come through the mailing list each month. Zack brings a few of these into the light, but there are thousands more waiting to be discovered at all times. Join the mailing list and see for yourself.
  • Work the Shell Longtime Linux and UNIX expert Dave Taylor explores the power of the command line and shell script programming in Work the Shell. Topics range from system administration to game design, user interface design to security, all filtered through Dave's unique sense of humor and storytelling style.
  • Open Sauce Glyn Moody's Open Sauce column complements the work of other writers in Linux Journal. Rather than providing detailed, expert information on highly technical topics, Open Sauce looks at the big picture and tries to pose big questions. What key future areas should the free software community address? What are the main threats to open source, and how can they be countered? What do the concepts of "open" and "free" even mean in today's world? In addition, Open Sauce provides a historical context for the fast-moving world of contemporary coding by drawing on 35 years of general computer journalism and more than 20 years' experience of writing specifically about free software and its culture.
  • From the Editor Editor-in-Chief Doc Searls is an award-winning journalist and activist with a long history of advocating personal freedom—and tech for putting that freedom to good use for everybody. Count on Doc to challenge readers to join the same fights, and to help Linux Journal grow in the process.
  • Deep Dives With each issue, Linux Journal takes a deep dive in to a single topic (Security, Desktop, System Administration and so on). Articles within this special section feature or are written by the "who's who" of the sector and include interviews, overviews of emerging technologies, and information on useful Linux programs or projects.

Writing for Linux Journal

Articles in Linux Journal cover the range from desktop how-tos to kernel hacking, always balanced to give both newcomers and long-term Linux users maximum enjoyment. If you have an idea for an article or have a lead for LJ, please contact us.

Letters to the Editor

We welcome your letters and encourage you to contact us.

Product and News Releases

If you have a new or updated Linux product, please contact us.

If you have news items you'd like us to mention on our Web site please contact us.

Advertising

Advertising options are available.

Reprints of Articles

Authors may use the material with the restriction that if used immediately after LJ publication, they include the phrase "reprinted with permission of Linux Journal" in the reprinted article. Other people wishing to use material should contact LJ. Permission is usually granted free for non-commercial use, except where restricted by author or other prior copyright. For those looking for commercial reprints, please contact us for further information.

The Website

Building on the strengths of the print publication Linux Journal, LinuxJournal.com is the most valuable on-line resource available to every member of the Linux community involved in the intelligent implementation of open-source software. The site features how-to videos, news, tech tips, community forums, in-depth reporting, blogging by industry icons, contests and much more.

LinuxJournal.com is built on the open-source Drupal content management system (CMS).

Other Questions

If your question isn't answered here, please contact us.