Publication plugs into Lawrence

Linux Pro Magazine opens North American office downtown

A publisher of magazines focusing on the Linux computer operating system has launched its North American headquarters in downtown Lawrence.

Linux New Media AG, based in Germany, officially opened its U.S. affiliate at 719 Mass. last week.

The Lawrence office will take over publication of Linux Pro Magazine, the North American edition of the magazine known overseas as Linux Magazine.

“We have been gradually assembling a team in Lawrence for the past two years,” Brian Osborn, chief executive officer of Linux New Media USA and a Kansas University graduate, said in a statement.

“With the phenomenal growth of our English editions, we felt it was time to officially launch our North American presence.” Osborn works in Germany.

Linux, a freely available operating system, was created and developed collectively by an international community of programmers.

“Linux is an operating system the whole world is working on,” said Joe Casad, editor-in-chief of Linux Pro and a KU graduate. “Programmers make changes to it, and the changes are shared with other users around the world.”

Linux users tend to be more computer-savvy, Casad said, and Linux Pro aims to cover the whole spectrum of readers’ interests. Many of the magazine’s readers are professional software developers, programmers and system developers, he said.

Casad and Rikki Kite, managing editor, work in Lawrence. Two local contract workers handle proofreading and advertising sales.

Casad has worked as a technology author and editor for more than 14 years. Kite, who is completing a master’s degree in journalism at KU, also is a veteran editor who specializes in Linux.

The Lawrence office will provide editorial services for the international Linux Magazine as well as Linux Pro.

Ogden Fulfillment Services in Topeka will handle subscriptions and customer service for North America.

Linux Pro has a circulation of 10,000 and is available by subscription or at newsstand outlets.

Linux New Media AG publishes 11 magazines in six languages and offers Web sites and community events.