Regular OSNews readers will notice we've had a drop-off in original articles over the past year or so. That's something we'd like to change. We'd like to encourage OSNews readers to submit articles by staging a contest wherein the best articles will be judged by OSNews staff and readers, and the winners will receive valuable prizes. All submitted articles that meet our submission guidelines will be published at OSNews. In addition to wanting articles to publish, this is also a talent search of sorts. We're hoping to identify talented OSNews readers to fill the ranks as editors and regular contributors. If you think you have the skills and desire to be a part of OSNews, please enter the contest, or just contact us. Read more for details on the contest.
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Member since:2005-07-24
I was thinking more along the lines of factoring this particular information out to a separate page that we can just link to when the topic comes up again. And you know that it will... repeatedly.
That said, I'm not sure I'd call it stupidity, out of hand.
Are you saying that the money from advertising and subscriptions exactly balances the expenses? If so, that's quite remarkable. I'd have thought that they wouldn't happen to be exactly equal. If you guys are supplementing OSNews out of your own pockets, step forward and receive due credit. If OSNews has a positive cashflow and staff are getting compensated for their work, be honest about it. Otherwise, it just makes it appear that you have something to hide. A simple periodic statement would avoid that whole issue.
Edited 2008-04-19 17:08 UTC
Member since:2005-07-07
Member since:2005-06-28
>If OSNews has a positive cashflow and staff are getting
>compensated for their work, be honest about it.
We have been honest about it since 2001: NO editor on OSNews was ever on a payroll. But there is a pricey server/hosting and an administrator who gets compensated to keep everything up and running.
Member since:2005-07-06
Member since:2005-08-29
Some people would argue that asking for donations to a for-profit entity is pretty stupid.
If you're "in the red", post about it and I'm sure no one would have a problem donating original articles.
If you're "in the black", you should really be paying for original content like everyone else in the publishing world does.
Member since:2005-06-29
So, you're calling Adam, Eugenia, and myself stupid. We all donate our free time to OSNews. I can only speak for myself, but I donate a few hours a day to OSNews, besides my university study, job, and social life. I don't ask anything in return for that because I enjoy doing it, and because the subject matter interests me. OSNews allows me to learn more about computing and journalism - the two terms that will play a central role in my future.
The fact you read that what you call stupid is... Well, weird.
It doesn't seem to bother the countless people who already submitted their originals this weekend - about 5 or 6.
Member since:1997-10-01
Right here is as good a place as any to announce that we intend for this contest to be a recruitment tool to find writers that we hope we can bring on to do regular writing for OSNews. And those people who we do bring on to do writing on an ongoing basis will be compensated at a rate in line with what web sites like OSNews pay.
That being said...
People contribute content to web sites all day long without expecting compensation. How much do you get for recommending a site to digg? Digg wouldn't exist if people didn't do their work for them. How much do you expect to be paid for writing the comment you just wrote? The comments on OSNews are a big part of our content. Making a call for submissions is not the same as asking for donations. OSNews has never asked people to donate money. People who contribute their time and energy have done so in exchange for fame.
99% of the bloggers out there, if they make any money at all, don't make enough to fairly compensate them for their time. Why do they do it? It's gratifying to be able to have a say, and it feeds our spirits to know that other people are reading what we say. It's a natural human desire. Small-time bloggers are often frustrated, though, because they know that their missives aren't being widely read. They wish more people were reading, because then their blog would have more meaning.
People contribute to OSNews because it allows them to have a prominent stage on which to showcase their talents. It's like setting up a blog and having a hundred thousand people read it the next day. And it's not just random people, but fellow OS enthusiasts. Do you want to be able to have your say? Submit something to OSNews.
There are very few online news sites that make enough money from advertising that they can afford full-time writing staff. Thankfully, OSNews does finally make enough money that it can afford to pay contributors of feature-length original articles. But still, I doubt anyone is going to be in it for the money. If you're looking to strike it rich, I don't recommend a career in writing for niche-oriented tech news websites. If you're looking to be a big fish in a small pond, and get your voice heard, however, come on down!
Member since:2007-02-15
Can't expect us to cater to stupidity. "
Yes, that's true.
And perhaps you are right, if you give "the others" the priority to be stupid.
Just out of curiosity... what do you think is the current value of this site (osnews.com). (let's assume that you would like to sell it)
Member since:2005-07-24
Member since:
2005-06-29
Can't expect us to cater to stupidity.