We've got an exciting year planned for TUX!
TUX's 2005 editorial calendar features an all inclusive line up of articles about work, home, and play for today's Linux consumer. You can look forward to easy to understand tutorials, insightful hardware and software reviews, enlightened opinion, useful tips and tricks, and in-depth exploration of the tools computer users need every day. Best of all, our style is hands-on, welcoming and non-threatening, speaking in a jargon-free style that everybody can understand.
In 2005, look forward to these features:
PREMIERE ISSUE, March/April 2005, The GETTING ORGANIZED Issue
Can't see your desktop through the clutter? Actually, we meant your virtual desktop but maybe TUX can help there too. Using the power of your Linux desktop, we'll show you how to juggle multiple calendars, synchronize your Palm organizer, create mailing labels, and even make some sense of all those open windows on your virtual desktops. Since all work and no play makes... well, you know how it goes. On that note, TUX will even show you how to clear the clutter made by all those MP3 music files and digital photos you've been accumulating. Kick back and relax. With the March 2005 issue of TUX in hand, you've got it all under control. Special note: TUX's premier issue will hit the newsstands February 1 (the magazine will be titled the March/April issue simply for the sake of bookstores and newsstands).
May 2005, The HOME ENTERTAINMENT Issue
Welcome to your Linux home entertainment center. Use your PC to watch TV, record programs, and more. This month, TUX looks at MythTV, Freevo, and other personal video recorders (PVRs). We'll also take a few Jukebox servers out for a spin so you can play music anywhere in your house from the comfort of your PC. And did we mention radio? Movies, music, and more, in the May 2005 issue of TUX.
June 2005, The LIVING WITH WINDOWS Issue
Is yours a house (or office) divided? With Linux PCs here and Windows PCs there? In the June 2005 issue, TUX shows you all you need to know to share files and folders between these different systems. We'll also look at tools that make running Windows on Linux (and vice versa) easy.
July 2005, The MONEY Issue
If money makes the world go 'round, this is a well rounded issue of TUX as we explore financial applications in the Linux world. We'll cover home finance programs that provide simple cheque book functions as well as those that do it all. Join us as we explore expense trackers, stock tickers, and business-ready accounting software. Ka-Ching!
August 2005, The EDUCATION Issue
TUX goes back to school in the August 2005 issue. Linux systems are a great solution for cash strapped schools, but they offer much more than inexpensive, stable, and secure systems. Kids will find software to challenge their minds and have fun doing it. From Linux at school, to educational programs, to educational games, it's Linux for kids of all ages.
September 2005, The SWITCH Issue
Finally, it's time to help those in need. Yes, we're talking about people running something other than Linux. Those poor unfortunate souls who deal with adware, spyware, and system crashes every day of their lives. TUX will look at great Linux business tools, live Linux CDs (to introduce your friends and family), and transitional applications (Linux programs that are available for Windows) so that even if they continue to run something else, they can at least get some of the benefits of Linux.
October 2005, The LINUX AUTOMATION Issue
Whatever happened to computers making our lives easier and giving us more free time? Maybe it's because they weren't running Linux. This October 2005, TUX will show you how to put your Linux system to work while you sleep! Let Linux take care of business and watch over things while to tend to other, more important things. In this issue, TUX will look at home security, webcams and video surveillance, maybe even a robot or two.
November 2005, The PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS Issue
As the end of 2005 approaches, talk is hot again and Linux makes it easy. The year 2000 has come and gone, but picture phones are finally here, instant messaging is everywhere, free long distance is a reality, and everybody is reaching out and touching somebody somewhere. Get into the instant messaging, Voice Over IP, text messaging, and just plain talking action in the November 2005 issue of TUX.
December 2005, The LINUX ON THE ROAD Issue
It's December 2005 and people are on the move, whether to visit family for the holidays or jetting off to somewhere warmer. Either way, you'll need to take your Linux computer along. Don't have one yet? Not sure of the tools you'll need? Let TUX show you the best tools for Linux notebooks, network applications, WiFi, Bluetooth, and everything else you need to stay connected when you are away from home. We'll take a close look at personal digital assistants, cell phones, and much more when TUX hits the road.
If you have other suggestions for us, or specific feedback regarding our 2005 editorial calendar featured here, please post your comments. We'd love to hear from you!
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Freevo?
So, what ever happened to the coverage of freevo in the May issue? I've been trying as a veeery new linux user to get it up on Mepis, and I've been having a devil of a time of it. I was so hoping you would come to my rescue with your lovely no-nonsense clear articles!
Glad To Know...
...that the money I saved when I canceled my PC World subscription (lack of Linux coverage) will be well spent on a sub to Tux magazine.
Idea for Tux
What about an article regarding resolving dependencies? I know ... I know ... with tools like yum and others, resolving dependencies isn't nearly the problem that it used to be, but this was a nightmare when I first started using Linux and frustrating for a new user.
The last thing I installed was Mplayer and the plugin for Mozilla and I had dependency issues that I couldn't resolve with yum because there was no associated package on any of the servers that my yum.conf file was configured to use. What I did was to look on rpmfind.net to see if I could find packages related to the dependencies not met, but when I was really a greenhorn, it would never have occurred to me to do this.
And Marcel, I agree with a comment that stated that the writer would read anything with the name Gagne on it, but in one instance I found that instructions in your article weren't complete enough to install something that I wanted to install and I didn't understand the error message that I got from a failed "make" command. Turned out I needed some -devel files that I didn't install, thinking I wouldn't need them because I wasn't a developer.
While I've come a long way since I first started using Linux, I still think I have a long way to go and hence, I'm extremely exited over "Tux". So, while I may not be as green as I once was, I'm sure I'll find the magazine invaluable. However, I make the assumption that you are also directing the magazine toward real "newbies" and the dependency issue is something that I think should be addressed.
Linux for Non-Profits
I work in a church and am amazed at the money speant on proprietary software. I wish those hundreds of dollars could be put towards the ministry, given to feed the hungry, etc. Could you do an issue on using Linux specifically within the world of Non-Profit programs? (What distros/apps to use, how to present the issue to your board of directors, how to train staff & volunteers, etc.) Thanks!
Great news & topic suggestion
Like others, I've really missed Extreme Linux and am very excited about Tux. I originally found Linux Journal did not fit my needs and subscribed to Linux Magazine, but now find that the tables seem to have reversed for me. I got started with Corel Linux so I've been at it awhile but I consider myself a newbie who has advanced needs like creating a domain, but has no time to study forever to get things going. Tux looks like it is going to be just the ticket for me and my only disappointment is that the first issue is almost 2 months away.
I hope that very soon in the editorial cycle you will cover a topic that has been very frustrating for me: tape backup. In the Windows world I use Veritas Backup Exec on my work network. At home I need a similar tool and just don't feel like I know what is out there for Linux, especially what is available that doesn't cost an arm & a leg.
Distros
How about a Libranet issue. Also what about specific instruction on
downloading and installing programs.
Blessings on your blessed event
A Libranet Issue!
I would also love to see a Libranet issue. I'm currently working with a group of High School youth from my community to begin a Non-Profit that recycles used computers by taking donated older computers, wiping them clean, and then installing Libranet on them to be handed out to low-income persons. I would love to see a Tux issue packed with Libranet info, tips, etc!
I am glad to hear of the crea
I am glad to hear of the creation of Tux magazine. I cried a river when Maximum Linux disappeared. There hasn't been any thing like it for the casual Linux user since, and it looks like Future isn't interested in bringing it back.
I am glad
Try if you can get them Linux magazine (European one),Linux format,
Linux User & Developer. Glad to subscibe got nailed when when
Maximun died. I buy anything with Gagnes name on it
Tux Mag rollout
I'm looking forward to this. After spending the last year fruitlessly trying to badger PC World and LinuxWorld to include more Linux content, finally it looks like we'll be getting on this continent what the Brits have had available for some time -- a newbie mag for Linux. Anyone remember 80 Micro? That is what we need here.
I signed up for a year, only because a two-year sub was not available. :)
Some suggestions for topics:
Synchronizing data directories between several machines on a network automatically. I've been doing this for years with XCOPY on Windows 98 boxes. The right syntax for Linux still eludes me, although I'm getting closer.
Getting soft modems to run under Linux.
Getting some decent fax/modem software that will answer as well as send and is still easy to set up and use. Sadly, PrimaFax is now in the hands of people who do not want to develop it, and is a dying product. However, a how-to on this product that is still available as a free download would be much appreciated.
OO works fine on a single machine, but I have yet to find out how to get it to read other machines on my home network. Xandros 2.0's file manager auto mounts dynamically, but OO doesn't. Seems there has to be a specific mount for it to see other machines. A way to set this up easily, or make it work dynamically (if possible) would be great. Each time I put my laptop on the network, I have to mount it on the other two machines, then unmount it afterward. There must be an easier way.
If you haven't already, check out some of the common Linux forums around the country -- specifically those supported by 'newbie' distros. That should give you a whole lot of ideas as well as to what people need help with. The Xandros, Lycoris, Libranet (and similar) forums should be great resources. Dee-Ann has already stopped into the CompuServe Linux forum, which is where I learned of your magazine.
Thanks. Can hardly wait for the issue to start arriving in the mail.
Frank.
Suggestion for the issue order
If I may make a suggestion, perhaps the issues that deal with migrating to Linux (such as the SWITCH and LIVING WITH WINDOWS issues) should be the first issues to be published.
In this way, new users to Linux can first be informed how to get a distribution up and running (or test out a live cd). Afterwards, the proceeding issues can show new users additional activites that they can do with their newfound operating system.
Re: Suggesting for the first issue order
Thanks for the suggestion, Brian. I'm going to answer your question in a moment, but I do want to point out that this is definitely something we considered up front. In fact, I would go so far as to say we ached over it. So then, why is this not the theme of the first issue?
Simply stated, we wanted this first issue to be representative of what readers could expect from TUX. Rather than a "here's why and how you should switch to Linux", it somehow made more sense to provide the audience we were looking to serve with information to make their Linux experience that much richer right from the first issue. The "new Linux user" we talk about isn't just a user who is new to Linux but the next generation of Linux user. The new Linux user is a desktop user, working with the friendly and powerful graphical environment that Linux provides to do everything from surfing the net, to listening to music, to playing games, to creating a spreadsheet . . . yes, they even use Linux to get their lives organized. Instead of making this an introductory "welcome to Linux" issue, the first TUX will dive right in, offering these readers lots of useful information right from the beginning.
You might have noticed, however, that we are including a live CD with the first issue. The reason for that goes back to that initial ache over whether to create a switch issue. Instead, we felt it might be easier if we provided our readers with a tool to help friends and family make that switch. For people who might pick up TUX strictly out of Linux curiostity, they could then use the live CD to take Linux out for a spin. As you can see, it's a delicate balance between serving existing Linux desktop users and providing a means for the Linux curious to experiment with switching.
Given how much time we spent trying to reason this one one, I hope this little explanation makes some sense.
Thanks again, and take care out there.
Just for newbies?
Hi Marcel... will the new magazine be primarily for newbies or will long time Linux users get something out of it also? I figure if it's for desktop users, then it should have some useful information for everyone. I am thinking about getting a subscription but would like to see what the content is going to be like first. Can you give examples of columns from other Linux magazines as to the style of content?
Subscribed
Well, I subscribed... figuring that even if I find the magazine to simplistic for myself, my wife will like it. I didn't get the CD version... with broadband, I really don't see the added value of getting a CD with out-of-date (usually) software.
LiveCD
You might have noticed, however, that we are including a live CD with the first issue. The reason for that goes back to that initial ache over whether to create a switch issue.
Which distribution is on the live CD? When I went looking for a notebook I went armed with Knoppix 3.6. I bought a notebook based on how beautifully it ran Knoppix, but I switched shortly after to SuSE because installing Knoppix on a hard drive seemed overly complicated. I'm not sure if this is true, but the documentation I read was very confusing, even for someone with a bit of linux experience. I think Knoppix is a great distro., but when it comes time to get it to a hard drive... article idea somewhere down the road.
Simply Mepis
Hi Charles: Simply Mepis is a live CD and will install off of the Live desktop sooooooooo easy! :-) I'm a newbie so if l can use this CD soooooooo easy then anyone can. The install uses QTParted to do the partitions and is soooooooooo easy!
Wayne Whalen
A quick note about subscriptions
...just wanted to point out that subscription terms are 12 issues. TUX's premiere issue will be on the newsstands for two months, followed by monthly issues from there on out. So subscribing today ensures you'll receive not only 2005 issues of TUX, but also January, February, and March 2006 issues.
If you have questions related to subscriptions, please feel free to e-mail our subscriptions manager who will be happy to help you.