TRN
05-09-2003, 05:43 PM
Let's get down to business now that I have your attention ;)
Tux Reports is a hobby site. My daughters have been helping out but are now distracted with many other interests. This leaves me - alone - at the helm. I believe that after three years Tux Reports is only beginning to take shape. This is because there has never been an agenda - except to learn and have fun. Lately it has been a drag to see the site not reach it's full potential.
PRESENT CONDITION
On average, I spend $300 a month more than ads cover. I am willing to continue because Linux is a great OS and there really aren't that many sites which provide a range of access to reviews of applications and lesser known distributions. However, things must change for the better. And here is the plan.
Where do people go to get information about Linux? Presently, they go to a friend, a neighbor, discuss it at the watercooler, and maybe visit a website or two. Most "Linux News" sites link to other stories but rarely have their own content. This sends the visitor all over the place.
And what if you are not new? Where do you go to get reviews that are written for the technicians and engineers? Certainly not here. But I want to change that trend.
TIME FOR A CHANGE
It's time to change this website -- for the better -- and make this site a resource for more people to use daily. I believe requesting original articles and reviews is one way -- but --
If you have read this far then you are probably wondering what is up my sleeve. Well...
EARN MORE SESSIONS BY SLEEVING
Taking a cue from the Roxanne movie, it seems like a mixed up idea for a "free" website which discusses "free" downloadable distributions to actually pay for original reviews and articles -- but heck -- it takes a radical idea to push through Microsoft's strangle hold. And that is the basis of this plan - paying for original articles and reviews on a sliding pay scale so that I can afford the bandwidth, afford to pay for the articles, and provide new and experienced users a great place to discuss and learn about Linux.
After all, if you are like me then you already enjoy downloading a new distribution, love to tinker with it, and enjoy talking about it -- so why not get some money for your efforts? Exactly !
The first thing you will notice about the sliding scale is that I want to favor more technical reviews and articles. Sorry, but opinion articles will not receive funds. Pay goes up for comparative articles and more technical articles.
WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER SITES?
Please keep going to all of the wonderful Linux websites. By all means -- the more sites discussing Linux then the better off we will all be.
WHAT IF I CAN'T WRITE BUT WANT TO CONTRIBUTE?
First, there is a Pay Pal button in the left column of the site. Please use it to donate as much as you feel comfortable. Don't make it hurt by skipping a meal. Second, if your english is not good or you don't feel comfortable because english is not your first language then do your best, submit the article, and we will try to help you edit it. No, we will not write it for you but will be willing to help... Third, if you haven't registered for the site then now is the time. Fourth, visit us often making sure your browser is not blocking the ads (this is how the author is going to get paid!). Finally, post your comments.
Payment Schedule
Major Distibution reviews: $5, 50% of the banner ad income for that page, and 50% of all funds donated to Tux Reports directly attributable to the reader enjoying your article.*
Minor Distribution reviews: $10, 60% of the banner ad income for that page, and 75% of all funds donated to Tux Reports directly attributable to the reader enjoying your article.*
Comparative reviews (Minimum of 3): $15, 60% of the banner ad income for that page, and 80% of all funds donated to Tux Reports directly attributable to the reader enjoying your article.*
Major Application reviews: $5, 50% of the banner ad income for that page, and 50% of all funds donated to Tux Reports directly attributable to the reader enjoying your article.*
Minor Application reviews:$10, 60% of the banner ad income for that page, and 75% of all funds donated to Tux Reports directly attributable to the reader enjoying your article.*
Comparative application reviews (Minimum of 4): $15, 60% of the banner ad income for that page, and 80% of all funds donated to Tux Reports directly attributable to the reader enjoying your article.*
Age Scale differential: Any author under the age of 14 will receive an extra $5. Yes, you could lie about your age but you would be a pretty sad individual to cheat us for only $5. !
Slashdot link: If for some reason /. believes that your article or review is worthy of a link then we will pay you an additional $5 and increase the donated funds for that article to 90%.
ARTICLE REQUESTS
We'd love to hear from people who are using products that are not heavily discussed elsewhere.
Reviews and articles should follow the outline provided in this forum. Find the discussion regarding visitors requests for increasing the quality of reviews - come on now - you are smart enough to find it. Now, read it and follow the suggestions. It's that easy !
HOW TO SUBMIT
We will start this off by asking you to submit articles directly to my email address - initials plus domain name - and you should be smart enough to figure it out or else we probably don't want to read what you've written. :)
ORIGINAL CONTENT
All content must be original. If you are going to quote someone then you must put this in quotes. You should follow all etiquette and ensure that you are not taking credit for someone else's work.
SUBJECT TO CHANGE
This offer is subject to change. If I start to lose a lot of money because people are donating articles but no one is reading them -- then I will be forced to lower the amounts of payment. At the same time, if any article is heavily read then I will increase the amount. It's only fair.
======
* The donor must email us that he/she has donated because of your article. If more than $25 is donated because of an article we will increase the percentage rate to 80%.
Tux Reports is a hobby site. My daughters have been helping out but are now distracted with many other interests. This leaves me - alone - at the helm. I believe that after three years Tux Reports is only beginning to take shape. This is because there has never been an agenda - except to learn and have fun. Lately it has been a drag to see the site not reach it's full potential.
PRESENT CONDITION
On average, I spend $300 a month more than ads cover. I am willing to continue because Linux is a great OS and there really aren't that many sites which provide a range of access to reviews of applications and lesser known distributions. However, things must change for the better. And here is the plan.
Where do people go to get information about Linux? Presently, they go to a friend, a neighbor, discuss it at the watercooler, and maybe visit a website or two. Most "Linux News" sites link to other stories but rarely have their own content. This sends the visitor all over the place.
And what if you are not new? Where do you go to get reviews that are written for the technicians and engineers? Certainly not here. But I want to change that trend.
TIME FOR A CHANGE
It's time to change this website -- for the better -- and make this site a resource for more people to use daily. I believe requesting original articles and reviews is one way -- but --
If you have read this far then you are probably wondering what is up my sleeve. Well...
EARN MORE SESSIONS BY SLEEVING
Taking a cue from the Roxanne movie, it seems like a mixed up idea for a "free" website which discusses "free" downloadable distributions to actually pay for original reviews and articles -- but heck -- it takes a radical idea to push through Microsoft's strangle hold. And that is the basis of this plan - paying for original articles and reviews on a sliding pay scale so that I can afford the bandwidth, afford to pay for the articles, and provide new and experienced users a great place to discuss and learn about Linux.
After all, if you are like me then you already enjoy downloading a new distribution, love to tinker with it, and enjoy talking about it -- so why not get some money for your efforts? Exactly !
The first thing you will notice about the sliding scale is that I want to favor more technical reviews and articles. Sorry, but opinion articles will not receive funds. Pay goes up for comparative articles and more technical articles.
WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER SITES?
Please keep going to all of the wonderful Linux websites. By all means -- the more sites discussing Linux then the better off we will all be.
WHAT IF I CAN'T WRITE BUT WANT TO CONTRIBUTE?
First, there is a Pay Pal button in the left column of the site. Please use it to donate as much as you feel comfortable. Don't make it hurt by skipping a meal. Second, if your english is not good or you don't feel comfortable because english is not your first language then do your best, submit the article, and we will try to help you edit it. No, we will not write it for you but will be willing to help... Third, if you haven't registered for the site then now is the time. Fourth, visit us often making sure your browser is not blocking the ads (this is how the author is going to get paid!). Finally, post your comments.
Payment Schedule
Major Distibution reviews: $5, 50% of the banner ad income for that page, and 50% of all funds donated to Tux Reports directly attributable to the reader enjoying your article.*
Minor Distribution reviews: $10, 60% of the banner ad income for that page, and 75% of all funds donated to Tux Reports directly attributable to the reader enjoying your article.*
Comparative reviews (Minimum of 3): $15, 60% of the banner ad income for that page, and 80% of all funds donated to Tux Reports directly attributable to the reader enjoying your article.*
Major Application reviews: $5, 50% of the banner ad income for that page, and 50% of all funds donated to Tux Reports directly attributable to the reader enjoying your article.*
Minor Application reviews:$10, 60% of the banner ad income for that page, and 75% of all funds donated to Tux Reports directly attributable to the reader enjoying your article.*
Comparative application reviews (Minimum of 4): $15, 60% of the banner ad income for that page, and 80% of all funds donated to Tux Reports directly attributable to the reader enjoying your article.*
Age Scale differential: Any author under the age of 14 will receive an extra $5. Yes, you could lie about your age but you would be a pretty sad individual to cheat us for only $5. !
Slashdot link: If for some reason /. believes that your article or review is worthy of a link then we will pay you an additional $5 and increase the donated funds for that article to 90%.
ARTICLE REQUESTS
We'd love to hear from people who are using products that are not heavily discussed elsewhere.
Reviews and articles should follow the outline provided in this forum. Find the discussion regarding visitors requests for increasing the quality of reviews - come on now - you are smart enough to find it. Now, read it and follow the suggestions. It's that easy !
HOW TO SUBMIT
We will start this off by asking you to submit articles directly to my email address - initials plus domain name - and you should be smart enough to figure it out or else we probably don't want to read what you've written. :)
ORIGINAL CONTENT
All content must be original. If you are going to quote someone then you must put this in quotes. You should follow all etiquette and ensure that you are not taking credit for someone else's work.
SUBJECT TO CHANGE
This offer is subject to change. If I start to lose a lot of money because people are donating articles but no one is reading them -- then I will be forced to lower the amounts of payment. At the same time, if any article is heavily read then I will increase the amount. It's only fair.
======
* The donor must email us that he/she has donated because of your article. If more than $25 is donated because of an article we will increase the percentage rate to 80%.