Neil Schneider wrote: > Joshua Penix wrote: >> On Dec 18, 2006, at 8:14 PM, Andrew Lentvorski wrote: >> >>> Personally, I would think that Joshua probably has the best >>> perspective on ordering and maintaining a small server. >> Just to confirm, we're talking about replacing the current web server >> that I keep in my colo, not the one that goes to installfests, right? > > Yes > >>> If he is willing, I would let him make the server choice and then >>> have folks votes yay/nay. >> I'd be happy to put together specs for something cost effective and >> functional. I'd request that it be a 1U machine so that its >> footprint on colo space is minimal. > > I think that a 1U is probably appropriate for our needs. > >> I do have to ask, just for discussion - is it worth it for the club >> to actually OWN a physical server versus rent something from a >> reliable webhost? The machine currently hosts our mailing lists and >> web site - something that could be done practically anywhere (though >> the use of Plone would infer using either Plone-friendly hosting or a >> virtual server setup where we get full root and system control). >> Yes, a few people use it for other personal shell functions... but if >> we could instead spend say ~$30/mo and get hosted, would that be a >> better choice vs. spending $1000-1500 on a server? > > I'm not sure. We have kept out own server, because we could and > because originaly all the hardware was donated. The reason that the > topic of a new server came up, is because we have plenty of money in > our treasury. The fact that it is in a colo facility where a member > can actually go and touch the machine, gives me a warm fuzzy feeling. > :-) I don't know how others feel. Also, with many different people > managing the server, someone is almost always available to do > something on it when the need arises. I don't know if any of this > would change with a rented server. > > The other question I have about rented hosting is security upgrades. > The people that admin the server aren't perfect, but I think we do a > pretty good job of keeping the server patched. I have less confidence > in a hosting provider. > > I'm interested in hearing more discussion about this.
Owned equipment is appealing to me, as well. Even if we agree to spend extra for that benefit, it is still probably useful to do a simple cost comparison of our options. I suggest we also acknowledge the value of contributed colo space and bandwidth. Is there something more than thanks we can offer? Maybe some kind of promo-ad, or something? Don't know if there is any salvage value in the current box (sparky2, isn't it)? Maybe raffle it off for $2 tickets? Conceivably it might have value as a standby or test/development box, but probably not occupying Josh's space, time, power, etc. <aside> In reality, I would offer that physical security and uptime are not so important for our glorious server that we couldn't operate out of more modest furnishings. Nevertheless, if the incremental cost to our benefactor is not a problem, it _is_ nice. Hmmm, maybe we should try to invent something that provides value to the general community. That's another discussion, I guess. </aside> Regards, ..jim -- [email protected] http://www.kernel-panic.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/kplug-steer
