Product: Linux in the WorkplaceManufacturer: No Starch PressAddress: 555 De Haro Street, Suite 250San Francisco, California 94107URL: www.nostarch.com

Latest in a series of openly published books from No Starch Press imprint

Linux Journal Press, an imprint of No Starch Press in partnership with Linux Journal, has announced that Linux in the Workplace will be released under the GNU Free Documentation License (FDL). The book's contents will be linked from www.nostarch.com and www.linuxjournal.com beginning on February 15, 2003, the fourth anniversary of Windows Refund Day. This marks the third release from No Starch Press in an open format and the second under a free license. No Starch Press also published The Linux Cookbook, by Michael Stutz, in 2001 under the Design Science License (DSL) and Programming Linux Games, by John R. Hall, in a freely available format in 2002.

Written by the Linux Journal staff, Linux in the Workplace focuses on Linux desktop tools and how to use them in an office environment. Don Marti, editor-in-chief of Linux Journal, emphasizes the free software focus of Linux in the Workplace when he explains, "The free software desktop is infinitely customizable, and gives companies and users the ability to add any functionality. A license as free as the software is necessary to keep the information up-to-date and accurate."

This most recent release under the GNU FDL underscores the wealth of content now available under an open license. Bill Pollock, No Starch Press publisher, explains, "GNU Press published free books before anyone, and there are a handful of publishers who will risk the time and effort to openly publish a book. We are willing to take that risk because the benefits of a larger audience outweigh the potential loss of readers that choose not to buy the book." Bradley Kuhn, Executive Director of the Free Software Foundation, is pleased to see publishers that appreciate the commercial benefits of free publishing. "Free publishing is a perfect fit for the technical book market. We designed the GNU FDL specifically to address commercial concerns that publishers may have with free publishing." The decision to release "Linux in the Workplace" under the GNU FDL was an easy one. Phil Hughes, the publisher of Linux Journal, notes, "As publishers of documentation rather than software, publishing under the FDL is a logical way for us to maximize our contribution to the Open Source movement."

Michael Stutz, the architect of the DSL, was enthused to write for a publisher willing to consider an open license. "When I was writing The Linux Cookbook, releasing a book with a 'copyleft' license was unheard of; few publishers would consider it and even fewer had attempted it." John R. Hall released his book online after the initial publication, with positive results. "Everyone benefits from open publishing," says Hall. "Authors enjoy wider audiences, publishers realize more sales from free advertising, and readers get the high-quality electronic books they deserve." According to Pollock, the decision is up to the author. "We prefer that authors choose their own license when publishing with us, recognizing that not all authors are comfortable with an open license. As long as there are authors who want their works published openly, and as long as the books sell, then we see no reason to stop."

For information about the GNU Free Documentation License, see www.gnu.org/licenses/licenses.html#FDL. For information on the Design Science License, see www.dsl.org.

Since 1994, No Starch Press has published unique and sometimes fringe books on computing topics, with a focus on Open Source, security, hacking, web development, programming, gaming, and alternative operating systems. Our titles have personality, our authors are passionate, and our goal is to make computing fun and accessible for everyone.

Linux Journal Press publishes books on cutting-edge Open Source topics that help to advance the acceptance and usability of Open Source software. An imprint of No Starch Press (www.nostarch.com), Linux Journal Press titles are developed in partnership with Linux Journal (www.ssc.com and www.linuxjournal.com).

John Mark WalkerNo Starch Press, Marketing Managerjohnmark@nostarch.com415.863.9900