Robin "Roblimo" Miller (October 30, 1952 – May 24, 2018) was an American technology journalist known for his long-standing interest in free and open-source software communities. He wrote about software, hardware and internet culture and became a familiar voice to readers of prominent technology sites during the 2000s. His informal handle, "Roblimo," became widely recognized among people who followed Linux, open-source projects, and early internet media.

Career and areas of coverage

Miller spent much of the 2000s working with the Open Source Technology Group, a company that managed a cluster of technology-focused properties. During his time there (2000–2008) he contributed to and helped shape coverage across sites that included Slashdot, SourceForge.net, freshmeat, Linux.com, NewsForge, and ThinkGeek. His reporting and commentary often emphasized practical information about Linux, developer tools, software licensing, and how communities around open-source projects organize and communicate.

Roles, affiliations and public activities

Beyond daily journalism, Miller served in several community and industry roles. He was a judge for the Lulu Blooker Prize, which recognized books that began as blogs, and he participated on advisory and editorial panels concerned with online media. Notably, he was on the online advisory board of the Online Journalism Review at the Annenberg Center for Communication at the University of Southern California, reflecting an interest in how journalism adapts to the web and new publishing formats (USC Annenberg).

  • Frequent commentator on Linux and open-source topics
  • Contributor to multiple OSTG properties including Slashdot and Linux.com
  • Participant in discussions about online journalism and digital publishing

Miller's background and life were rooted on the U.S. East Coast. He was born in Elkridge (Elkridge), in the state of Maryland, on October 30, 1952. Over the course of his career he became known for clear, approachable writing that aimed to make technical material useful to everyday readers and developers alike. After his years with the Open Source Technology Group he continued to be active in technology conversations, writing and speaking about developments that mattered to the open-source ecosystem.

Miller died at his home in Bradenton, Florida, on May 24, 2018, of a heart attack at age 65. His passing was noted by many in the open-source community and by technology publications that remembered his contributions to making open-source software and internet culture more visible and accessible.

Legacy and significance

Roblimo is remembered as one of several journalists who helped translate technical developments for a broader audience at a time when open-source projects were becoming mainstream. His work illustrated how specialized reporting could support community building and provide practical windows into the tools and philosophies of the open-source world. Archives of his writing and tributes from peers continue to provide context about how early internet journalism shaped public conversations about software, licensing and collaborative development models.