[lug] Would you like to write for 'Linux Application Developer'? (fwd)

[Wayde Allen]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 7 Sep 2000 15:54:33 -0500
From: Whil Hentzen <whil at hentzenwerke.com>
To: allen at boulder.Nist.gov
Subject: Would you like to write for 'Linux Application Developer'?

Hello!

The Linux business is past the 'early adopters' phase, and now people are
starting to adopt Linux as a workhorse for day to day use. The question on
everyone's mind is 'How do I use Linux in my day-to-day role as an
application developer?'

Linux Applications Developer, a new monthly newsletter from Pinnacle
Publishing, seeks to answer that question. Pinnacle has produced high-end,
technical newsletters for serious application developers for over a decade.
Their current publications include XML Developer, Active Web Developer,
FoxTalk, Visual Basic Developer, SmartAccess, Delphi Developer, SQL Server
Professional, Oracle Professional, and Visual C++ Developer. You can see
what Pinnacle is up to at www.pinpub.com.

I'm the editor of Linux AppDev, and my first job is to recruit columnists
and contributors for this exciting new newsletter.

I came across your name in my searches for potential writers on the Web.
User Groups, such as the Boulder Linux User's Group, are often a good source
for experienced as well as up-and-coming talent and I suspect that one or
more people in your group might have the expertise we're looking for.

If you or others in your group would be interested in writing a monthly
column, or contributing on a regular basis, on building applications on the
Linux platform, you'll find I'm easy to get along with and experienced in
nurturing authors who are new to the vagaries of writing column-length
features.

My goal for Linux AppDev is for each reader to find something interesting in
each issue. I've always held that the best approach for a general
circulation 'something' (be it a user group meeting, a monthly publication,
or whatever), is to aim for 'No one will like everything, but everyone will
like something.' If you're wondering what to write about, I've laid out a
series of regular features. Some of these features would run every month,
others would run regularly but not necessarily monthly:

Distribution of the Month: Each month, a single distribution would be
covered, describing what's in it; sort of a mini-review. As distributions
get upgraded regularly, there would be plenty of material here.

Shells: Like the Distribution of the Month, this would cover a different
shell or UI.

Office applications: Every developer needs a word processor, a spreadsheet,
and another couple standard applications. This column would cover what's
available, and compare and contrast. An added benefit would be the ability
to compare not just between different Linux tools, but also 'Here's how you
do in ***Ware what you did in Word/Excel/etc.'

Programming languages: This is one of the core features - each month this
column would cover pieces of two or three popular programming languages
currently used on the Linux platform. Some months this will provide general
discussions about the tool, what it's used for, and so on, other months this
would provide quick starts, and general coverage of an extended nature.

Development environments: As with programming languages, this column would
cover the tools developers have available for full featured development. I
expect a lot of growth in this area over the next couple of years.

Utilities: Every developer needs a toolbox of utilities, and this is where
we'd introduce the essential, the nice to have, and the specialized. I
envision something like 'Cool Tool' of the month here.

Linux deployment and integration: Once you've put together an application,
how do you deploy it? How do you install at the user's sites, and what
issues, Linux-specific, can you run into? Since we are targeting Windows
developers heavily, and even non-Windows developers will often have to
integrate with Windows, this column would cover heavily, but not exclusively
on issues like connectivity with NT resources (file and print),
compatibility with Windows file formats, and so on.

Server tools and techniques. Since Linux is both a server and workstation
OS, many people will want to run servers, like mail and web services, from
the same box. And developers need to know how to integrate their
applications with these servers. This column would cover the big picture as
well as specific issues.

Of course, if you have ideas of your own, I'm definitely interested in
hearing them!!!

As you can see, the focus is on building applications on Linux - not
installing and maintaining the operating system. As a result, each article
in Linux AppDev will address the fundamental question: 'How do I build apps
on Linux?' Picture yourself sitting down with a fellow developer,
experienced in software development, but new to Linux, and coaching them
through what you already know.

You should know that writing a monthly column, or even just writing
regularly can provide several benefits to you. First, a column or regular
writing series gives you additional credentials, which can help on your next
project, or to get experience with a new area of technology. It helps you
enhance yourself and to become the 'go-to guy' (or gal) in your particular
field of expertise. You expose yourself to new customers, which can help you
sell more classes. And you'll have the opportunity to write about topics
that you may not be able to now.

If you're already writing for a magazine, you know the drill - and that it
never hurts to increase your exposure by writing to more than one audience.

I've already collected several of articles for our inaugural edition - but
I've still got room for a couple more - and I'm already collecting material
for subsequent issues.

If you're interested, please contact me at whil at hentzenwerke.com. I'm
actively gathering article proposals and working on our premier issue now,
so don't wait!

If you have any questions, please contact me!

Whil Hentzen