From the 'membership has its privileges' files:

If you've ever wanted your very own Linux.com email address (and didn't work for SourceForge/OSDN) - you too can now get one. All you need to do is join the Linux Foundation.

The Linux Foundation is set to formally announce a new individual membership program tomorrow that costs $99 that will include an @Linux.com email address. The Linux.com domain was acquired by the Linux Foundation in March and was re-launched in May.

Having an individual membership class is a far cry from how things were in the OSDL days (prior to the creation of the Linux Foundation). Then membership was a pricey affair often tipping $1 million or more.

The idea is that membership fees support the development of Linux since the Linux Foundation is the organization that employs Linus Torvalds. Membership also gives individuals a voice in the structure of the foundation.