James G. Sack (jim) wrote:
> 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.
It looks great to me. Might it be useful to mention that the new
server will be 64 bit?
> - - -
> 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!
--
Neil Schneider pacneil_at_linuxgeek_dot_net
http://www.paccomp.com
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