Unfortunately, that (rather noble) act is untenable in a world where everyone's suing everyone in the big boy department. If Apple and Microsoft weren't trying to kill Android with lawsuits, I could see a gentleman's agreement between the lot of them making this a fairly effective strategy. With the current state of affairs, everyone needs all the linked list patents they can get.
I see it less as being noble and more of a practical strategy for a small business. You can't afford to apply for a patent on everything you think up so why not publish it so at least you will not be locked out of using your own idea by someone who comes along later and does apply for a patent.
