[ozar]

The way I understand it, you pay for 6 months at a time to be listed in those slots.

I think the "Recommended Sites" slots on the DistroWatch front page are paid-for slots, too. Maybe Core Wizard will see this and verify one way, or the other.

[techieMoe]

Originally Posted by KenJackson

It is our business as viewers to know whether we are looking at paid content or information .

I agree, but I still don't think it's our business to tell DistroWatch how to run their site.

[budman7]

We used to be listed on each distros page.
I used to use the link to LFDO from DW if mine wasn't working for some reason.
I still visit DW daily.

[smp-freak]

What I really Think is a combined effort and a joining of sites:

Linuxforums, with Linuxhardware.org, and phoronix site. all together in what neat little package.


what do you guys think of this?

[DThor]

Ummm, it doesn't really work that way. These various enterprises each have their own turf hammered out, a more or less comfortable place to do their thing. Cramming them all onto one site not only steps on numerous toes, it isn't even necessary with the click-jump nature of the web. Bigger isn't necessarily better.

It's the sort of thing which can sometimes happen naturally(money issues, some people need to move on, etc.), but it's rarely done because someone suggests "hey, Tom's hardware and Slashdot should merge!".

DT

[KenJackson]

Well, it turns out that ozar's understanding is correct. Ladislav Bodnar of DistroWatch replied to my email.

Although it doesn't say so, the "Alternative User Forums" field comprises
of sponsored links - i.e. the maintainers of those sites pay DistroWatch a
monthly fee to be listed there. This is one way we raise cash to maintain
the site. LinuxForums.org has indicated that it might join in at some stage
so hopefully you'll see it listed there soon.

[KenJackson]

Further clarification in email from DistroWatch's Ladislav Bodnar:

Just to clarify things after reading the forum comments:

1. The "Recommended Sites" section on the main page is NOT "paid-for".

2. Distributions do not pay for being listed on DistroWatch, although some
of them have bought banners (Turbolinux, MEPIS, Xandros and a few smaller
ones).

3. The only places where sponsored content is not clearly marked on the site
are "Alternative User Forums" and "Alternative Download Sites". The rest of
the site is clean.

[ozar]

KenJackson - thanks for letting us know how it works.