Yourname at Linux.Com

David M Williams
Thursday, 04 June 2009 07:55

Opinion and Analysis

Love Linux? Want to be known as thatguy @ linux.com? Now you can.

I reported earlier that the Linux Foundation had taken stewardship of the Linux.com domain with plans to turn it into a social networking hub for the world’s Linux community.

The site has since come online, with articles, blog postings, forums and more. Some especially nice features are the international Linux user group directory, a directory of distributions available, and a Linux guru directory to either showcase your geek status, or to find suitably-qualified local support, depending on your needs.

All this content is free to read, but the Linux Foundation hope they can encourage visitors to join up as paid members.

The Linux Foundation uses its money to support the development and work of Linux across the world. This includes the employment of Linus Torvalds, the recent “I’m Linux” advertisement contest, and other initiatives and influential activities.

To spur you to part with your hard earned members can earn guru points through their activities on the site. Each year, the top-rated Linux.com member will be recognised as the “Ultimate Linux guru” and win a fully-loaded dream laptop (running Linux, naturally) personally signed by Linus Torvalds.

What’s more, every member will also receive their own @linux.com forwarding e-mail address. Why be nurk2518 @gmail.com when you could be jedi @linux.com? Imagine the ultimate geek street cred in that?

Membership includes other things; you will receive a T-shirt, you can run for and vote in Linux Foundation elections, you receive discounts at Thinkgeek and O’Reilly press and other benefits.

Membership is $US 99 per year for individuals. Corporates also have membership options.

Act quick! Sadly david @linux.com was already taken, but I got my second choice.