Hi! On 4 July 2012 22:00, Patrick Anderson <[email protected]> wrote: > > We do not know how to host "Free as in Freedom" email (Gmail, Yahoo)
Install a smtpd, imapd and a webmail app like roundcube? > or a social network (Fakebook) Install a httpd and a federating social network app like GNU Social, Pligg, StatusNet, etc? > storage (DropBox, Google Drive) Install sshd, git and a backup syncing app like SparkleShare? > VMs (AWS, etc.) Install a VM manager like Eucalyptus? > Another part is whether *all* the Users have real control, or are > subjugated by those who actually own that hardware. If users need 'real' or full control of servers, I think they must actually own the hardware (at least.) Hosting servers has costs; computer hardware, electricity, property. These costs can be paid in full up front, giving the users full control. The Freedom Box project is mostly about enabling people running server hardware that is cheap enough for individuals to afford to do so from property they own, or rented property that is their home and thus has a favourable legal status compared to rented property that isn't their home (like a datacenter.) The electrical grid for many people in developed nations is still reliable, but for many people in developing countries it is not. Owning hardware to run servers is expensive because it requires owning electrical generator capacity, instead of renting it. If you do not own the computer hardware, the electrical generation machinery, and the property, then you can rent them. Renting usually gives as much control as actual ownership, for as long as you can continue paying the rents. I don't see renting as any kind of subjugation when the items are commodities; when you can migrate from one vendor to another. Often renting is better than ownership; I can access much more electricity by renting it from the grid than I could by generating it myself, and I can live in a larger apartment by renting with friends than I could by owning an apartment myself. If you can't afford the rent for an item yourself, it is common to form a group and co-rent the item with others. How the group is formed and makes decisions is up to the members of the group. The co-operative business community has established many examples in all areas of industry all around the world in how to do this in an equitable way. Business without your 'Capitalists.' If you can't join a group who affords the rent, or ownership, you can beg owners for access, I guess. Access obtained in this way always comes with some conditions, that you may or may not like; the owner will have found a way to not charge you with money, but to pay the costs another way. Well, that's up to you. If you don't like their terms, there are many alternative options. Cheers Dave
