Frequently Asked Questions

What is this site about

This is a news site alternative to Slashdot. It runs an interface much like Slashdot used to be - better articles, less decoration and less "in your face" functionality.

Who owns this site

The site is owned and run by John Barrabas John (at) AltSlashdot (dot) org.

This may change in a month or so when we choose a business model.

What if Dice decides to revert to Classic Slashdot?

The general feeling is that the quality of articles on Slashdot has become poor. We think we can do a better job, so the project will continue regardless of what Dice does with Slashdot.

How can I volunteer?

Volunteering is done via the group forums: you join a group to contribute via a forum.

Register a user at forums.soylentnews.org
Go to your user panel (UL corner of page) and then "Groups" tab
Add yourself to interesting groups

For almost all facets of the site, contributions are made by community consent: If you can convince the community in your forum group, we'll do it. You don't need permission of the owner.

The owner controls certain narrow aspects of the site such as domain registration, money, legal, and such. This may change when we choose a business model.

Will the code be released open source?

Yes.

Will the database be released open source?

Yes, providing there are no legal issues or other "gotchas".

On the subject of making things open source, someone suggested that the database be separated via API from the presentation. People could then write other interfaces and presentation methods that show the data in various ways. It would also allow program access to the data for things such as searching and other uses.

I think this is an excellent idea. Barring any insurmountable issues, I'll try to make that happen during the rewrite.

Will you be taking articles/content from Slashdot?

No.

I don't consider it fair. Slashdot put a lot of effort into building their brand and community. If we are to succeed, we need to do it on our own merits.

I'm deciding this as benevolent dictator. Regardless of community sentiment, we won't be poaching from Slashdot.

Doesn't AltSlashdot infringe on Slashdot's trademark?

Opinion on this is mixed, but it doesn't matter.

We will be choosing a new name by community consensus real soon after the initial rollout, probably in the first week.

I've got this great idea for a new name

I own the domain for a new name - want it?

The general feeling is that names with "slash", "dot", or otherwise based on a pun of Slashdot would present similar problems.

We need a name which is completely lateral, something that's ours and ours alone.