Well, since he posted that to the list, I feel it would be fair for me to
copy my response, detailing why it truly costs me US$0.00 to run my own
virus checking system. I've made a few minor edits, but they don't affect
the character and spirit of my original reply to Alex.
One thing to keep in mind. While yes, my time is valuable to me and my
clients, I would not be so self-centered as to say *ALL* of my free time is
valuable. The time I spend screwing around with my Linux machine which
supports all of three people (all of whom are good friends and aren't really
dependent on this server) is trivial, I wouldn't charge them for it, I'm not
that full of myself.
---[ begin quoted message ]---
I will analyze what you say is my cost for you, just so you know where I'm
coming from, Alex.
1) My time. Yes, my time is valuable, but administering this box for me and
my three employees (who already run virus scanning on their desktops anyway)
is trivial. I do it in my spare time. While normally I charge in excess of
US$100/hour for my time, I truly enjoy mucking around this box. It's not
serious for me now, I don't have hundreds of people to support. It's a
convenience issue, really, that's all.
2) I've already purchased the antivirus software. Other than the
subsciption to the updates (which, I would fathom, is still less expensive
than using your service), zero cost to me.
3) I need no extra hardware, I have a mail server that's fully capable of
running antivirus software. In fact, it does, and I can use MAV to manually
scan attachment directories -- I was hoping to automate that process. If I
can accomplish that, again -- zero cost to me.
4) I currently have a cron job that downloads hourly virus updates from
AVERT and installs them. Zero time spent updating the software.
And, yes, if a virus slips through, there is a cost to be paid in recovering
any lost data from an infection. But nobody is 100% virus-free, not one
company can guarantee 100% effectiveness, so that is a calculated risk that
I have chosen to take. On systems that are backed up daily (and, some
directories, automatically syncronized to other disparate filesystems on
change), I'm not concerned with actual data loss -- no virus is going to
destroy all copies of my data no matter the format or location, that would
require keys to my safe deposit box and my hot site.
While I appreciate that you are running a business, please try to keep this
in mind: I run qmail and linux and amavis because they are free and
supported by the community. There isn't one programmer busting out code
under a heavy deadline, under threat of loss of pay, and because of that
singular dedication to "getting it right", open source software is the way
for me to go.
Your solution may be a God-send for many of your customers, I have no doubt
of that. But I did not join this list to be solicited, I joined this list
to seek the assistance of other generous qmail users and programmers, hoping
to learn something in the process.
Yes, your mail annoyed me, and I'm glad it was only to me and not the list.
In my list post, I made sure I didn't disclose your identity: I'm not that
type of person. But please, in the future, refrain from soliciting this
particular qmail-lister.
If you've come up with a way to use Amavis, I'd love to hear from you. If
you're telling me I have to spend my hard-earned cash when I *KNOW* I do
not, please don't bother typing a message to me. That's just the way it is
with me. :)
Thanks again for your concern -- whether it's sincere or motiviated by
capitalism, I do not care -- I truly appreciate that you are looking out for
the needs of other people. But, after all, I don't /need/ your service.
Best of luck to you and your firm in all your endeavors,
Dustin
_____
Dustin Miller, President
WebFusionDevelopmentIncorporated
-----Original Message-----
From: Alex Shipp [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Thursday, December 09, 1999 3:06 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: Question about UCE and also AMAVIS
>Well, doing it myself costs ... let's see ... nothing.
I still disagree with Dustin on this one though. (unless,
of course, he charges his time out at $0.00/hour, in which case
I would very much like some Web Development from him, please).
____________________________________________________________________________
____
This message has been checked for all known viruses by the Star Screening
System
http://academy.star.co.uk/public/virustats.htm
