Hello everyone, damn it’s been a long time since I wrote here hasn’t it? Sorry for that. A quick look at the previous post shows it was back at the end of February. A mere 8 months ago. It’s been a busy year and I wish I could say I was returning today to bring you good news but I’m not really. Don’t panic, I’m not dying or anything (at least I hope not) and it’s nothing to be apprehensive about. I just wanted to share some news with you.
As some of you will know I’ve been hosting a podcast called Linux Outlaws with my friend Fabian Scherschel for many years now. Since September 2007 to be precise. Over the years we’ve had amazing fun, met great people and it’s personally afforded me many opportunities I simply wouldn’t have had otherwise. I’ve been to different parts of the world and met up with people who listen to Linux Outlaws, I present on the TWIT network because of the exposure LO has given me, I met Linus Torvalds on my first ever trip to the USA in 2009 and all of this is directly attributable to this funny little podcast.
When we started the show I never dreamed that more than 100 people would ever hear it. I don’t think either of us did. Somehow though over the years it became popular and seemed to have an impact. I am profoundly proud of that. I always will be. However my friends as the title of this post proclaims, nothing lasts forever, all things must come to an end eventually. It is with a heavy heart that I say Linux Outlaws will be ending in December of this year. It’s a decision Fab and I have come to together and far from the end of our working relationship or friendship, it’s just time to close one chapter and begin another. We didn’t want to just sign off suddenly one day and be gone. So here’s the plan…
We will record 5 final episodes leading up to December (the last being ep 370) and in those we’d like to wrap things up, talk to some previous guests, discuss the odd topic or two and respond to listener feedback. I decided we should title this effort “the last stand”. It’s an obvious term to use for a show with the word “outlaws” in the title I know, but I think it works. As you read this a podcast has just been released which explains more. Episode 365 of Linux Outlaws, 365 episodes WTF?!! How have we made that many? Anyway, it explains the decision and the thinking behind it from me and Fab. Have a listen if you’re interested. We need your input on what you want to hear in the remaining episodes. I would like people to use the hastag #OutlawsLastStand to send us feedback if possible and discuss anything to do with this announcement. You can of course always email the show via linuxoutlaws AT sixgun DOT org as well.
I expect a mixed reaction to this news. Some people will be upset, some pleased and others won’t care either way. That’s fair enough and I respect each position.
It’s been an amazing 7 years and I’d like to say a heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who has listened in that time, sent a message, said hello at a conference or anything else really. It’s been a blast and I wouldn’t change that for the world but at this point our lives have changed dramatically, both of us, and we just can’t keep Linux Outlaws going. We will return at some point with a different podcast in 2015 probably. A different format, more hosts, not Linux focussed, we’re not 100% sure yet. If you want to know about that then we’ll announce it on Twitter and other places.
Make no mistake, this is not us going out with a pathetic whimper from some dark corner. As far as I’m concerned these last few episodes (the last stand) is Ned Kelly and his gang facing down the law with tin buckets on their heads and fire in their hearts. Let’s go out with a bang!
I thought I’d share a song to finish off. A song from a band based in my own town of Liverpool, Echo & The Bunnymen. As the song says nothing ever lasts forever, things come to an end. As one chapter ends another begins and I hope to see many of the friends I’ve made doing this podcast as the journey continues.
Who knows, perhaps with some additional free time in 2015 I can write a bit more, do more music and even become a proper software developer again. I hope so.
Thanks for reading this. Best wishes to you all,
Dan
Happy trails Dan! LO had a great run. I’m glad you guys could bring things to a close in a safe, coherent fashion. I had two programs abruptly terminated thanks to employment changes that kept me off the air for far too long.
Stay strong.
Thanks Stephen, we want to end the show properly and give people a few more laughs before we sign off.
Holy crackers! Here I am, six months behind on listening, and I catch up and learn this! I’m going to go cry in a corner now, don’t mind me.
🙂 It’s your life and your show, do what you like with it. I enjoyed the hell out of it and will miss it. Thanks for all of the education and entertainment.
@Mike S – Wow you are quite far behind but at least you caught up now. Sorry it came as a surprise. The time was right to bring it to a close. It’s sad but as I said I’d rather sign off on a high note. Thanks for the kind words and remember, stay free, stay open source!!