Neil Schneider wrote:
>..It probably would be a good thing to summarize
> the discussion and reasoning for our choice. Perhaps you should post
> it here for review and comment, before posting it to the main list...
Here's my first try at composing an announcement that could be posted to
the main list, sometime before the next meeting. Presumably the sooner
the better -- but let's have a critique first.
- - -
Sparkplug Version III is Coming
For some time now, we have noticed that our kernel-panel server has been
overworked. It manages not only a half-dozen mail lists, but also our
public web interface including a wiki as well as providing personal
folders for website members. Resource demands seem to have have grown as
the web software has gotten fancier over the last couple of updates.
The server constitutes an important and valued part of our mission of
Linux promotion, advocacy and education, but the web interface
experience is judged somewhere between barely tolerable to useless
because of performance.
Our existing hardware ("Sparkplug II") has survived 5+ years, and it is
thought that picking quality equipment will allow us to match that for
"Sparky-III". The proposed equipment will emphasize CPU horsepower via a
pair of dual-core Xeon 5130's, memory next with 4GB of 667MHz DDR2 ECC
(allowing expansion to 8GB at a later date), and disk features next with
a mirrored pair of 400GB SATA-2 w/ NCQ. All of this goes into a serious
rack-optimized package probably an Intel Server System SR1530HCL.
Josh has generously volunteered to honcho the acquisition through his
regular commercial channels -- and assemble the works as well! The
estimate totals out to about $2700. A general consensus of the
steering committee discussion on this issue (see
http://www.kernel-panic.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/kplug-steer) is
that this is an excellent expenditure to further our mission objectives.
If all goes as planned, we should be able to migrate to the new system
in a few weeks. We are looking forward to not only improving our present
operations but to gaining resource headroom that allows us to consider
adding more mamber and possible public benefits.
- - -
Too much PR?
Enough history? -- rationale?
Phrasing improvements?
Need to tell fraction of treasury?
Does it serve the purpose?
All editorial suggestions welcome!
Regards,
..jim
--
[email protected]
http://www.kernel-panic.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/kplug-steer
