[svlug] svlug bylaws (Google Docs)

[Karen Shaeffer]

On Sun, Dec 02, 2007 at 09:32:55PM -0800, Paul Reiber wrote:
> Karen wrote:
> >
> > Well, I think the first bylaw ought to explicitly declare svlug must
> > maintain all it's own services, precluding any future effort to outsource
> > svlug's web presence and email lists in any capacity.
> 
> Hiya, Karen! Interesting precept - let's explore it.  On the surface,
> this sounds like it might be reasonable, albeit quite a bit
> arbitrary... but dig deeper with me.
> 
> To provide services, SVLUGs servers need connectivity - it'd be wrong
> to outsource that to a company that might, at any time, say,
> compromise our web presence or mailinglists, right?   ...well - that's
> where we are today - our agreement with Via.net is on good faith and a
> handshake.  So... should the volunteers build us our own infallable
> connection to the internet? (by the way- I TRUST Via.net - as do
> numerous of the SVLUG volunteers - part of why we're hosted there -
> but I hope you got my point!)

Via.net is providing us bandwidth and electricity. We have our own
equipment. We _OWN_ all the data on our equipment, right? Cause that
is all my proposed bylaw would require. And that is what this is
all about.

Look, I have my own routable subnet. I could host svlug services for
free and it wouldn't cost me anything but the cost of the electricity.

I have also offered to donate a very expensive server to svlug, if
our hardware isn't adequate for our needs. And I am just one engineer
in the linux ecosystem who grokks what linux is all about.

If svlug has been reduced to a bunch of quibling wannabes who cannot
even sustain a presence on the internet -- then things are really
bad now aren't they.

Svlug has always held meetings at corporate sites and restaurants. It
is disingenuous to suggest meeting locations are equivalent to
maintaining svlug services independent of others. And we would want
to explicitly state that in the proposed bylaw.

I have no interest in getting into a debate with you Paul. I have
stated my views. I have stated my intent to leave svlug, if svlug
outsources it's internet presence or email services. I intend to
back up my mouth with action, when the time comes.

Let me make a suggestion here Paul. I suggest you step aside and
let this next election be for a President and VP of svlug. It is
best for svlug.

Karen
-- 
 Karen Shaeffer
 Neuralscape, Palo Alto, Ca. 94306
 shaeffer at neuralscape.com  http://www.neuralscape.com