On Jan 17, 2008 1:04 PM, Rony gnulinuxist@gmail.com wrote:
True, but the original topic of the thread was only related to bad media quality not magazine content. This is a fact and has been recurring every month.
I have a suggestion for LFY. Since they have an office in Mumbai, they can play an important role in providing linux CDs and DVDs downloaded directly and recorded on original MoserBaer media with Red/Black print ( not the all silver ones ) and charge a reasonable amount for it. If they can get Cultural Book Depot or Premier in Lamington road to market these media, that would make it convenient for everyone. They are already selling magazines there.
For some of us, Lamington Road is as far as Delhi. Moreover, LFY may not find that proposition economical. They publish their magazine not for furthering the cause of FOSS, but to earn profits. The GNU/Linux enthusiast community is minuscule in India. So their circulation numbers are probably much smaller than chic magazines like Digit. Further, they also don't get the same high-paying advertisers, or in similar numbers. The CDs are meant for additional inducement, but due to the oft-lamented, though historic, lack of quality in print articles have become its raison d'être. If they had not started providing distros on the second cd/dvd, the quality of content on their software package disc would have definitely seen them become history themselves.
It is heartening to note that they have started to learn, aided by die-hard supporters and goaded by rantings from the likes of us.
I would suggest LFY cut down on the *remaining* page-filler type articles and use the money thus saved for better quality control, better media, and better packaging.