[scribus] Is Linux/Scribus viable? (was New Linux User...)

[joseph harris]

From: <jwminer at accessvt.com>
> Joseph Harris wrote:
>> From: "John Brown"
>> .......
>> . So-called free-to-air television is paid for by advertisers.
>>
>> Except for the BBC; three cheers for the UK  ;-).
>
> Three cheers for "free television"? Don't people in the UK have 
> to
> pay a fee for every TV in their home? The BBC has to pay the 
> bills
> like everyone else.
>
> In the US, PBS does not have advertisers. However, it is not 
> really
> "free." Nothing is. PBS is paid for by federal taxpayers, 
> corporate
> donors, viewer memberships and contributions, and in some 
> states,
> subsidies paid from state tax revenues.
> --Judy Miner
>  USA
>
> Registered Linux User #397786

;-) It's not advertisers and it's not the government; and payment 
is for the premises or household. It covers 2 land and a host of 
digital tv channels, the most trusted news service in the world 
[even if biases get in from time to time] because it is 
independent, a highly respected and trusted world service radio, 
four national and a host of local radio stations and production 
of some outstanding costume drama and other series. and yet more. 
I believe its original output is far greater than any other 
service. For about £135 ($270) a year per household it seems to 
me excellent value; and it is lovely to watch a programme or film 
without interruptions.

Isn't this an open source kind of thing? Power to the people? Of 
course it is a not for profit trust as well.

American PBS is excellent, but its host of different fund raising 
methods lay it wide open to influence by sectional interests. I 
doubt if it is able to fund much original material either.

The BBC is quite unique, and in the usual crazy Brit ways of 
decision making has a freedom from political and commercial 
pressures that raises all competitor standards as well. It is 
adventurous and put Hitchhikers' Guide to the Galaxy on radio 
when there was no way of guaging its appeal, made a televisions 
version and (I think jointly) made a big screen film. It was also 
early and strong on conservation matters.

Its great strength is that it does not have to attract 
advertisers or other contributors, and it has a lot of places to 
innovate.

Joseph Harris