[svlug] svlug bylaws (Google Docs)

[David Fox]

On 12/2/07, Paul Reiber <reiber at gmail.com> wrote:

> 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

Yes, of course they do. But I think there is a fundamental difference
between where the boxes are, whether in some rackmount somewhere, or
in a house, or whichever company hosts the service &/or ultimately
provides the raw bandwidth (unintentional plug!). and sources where
mailing lists and other data services like web pages are stored.

Don't get me wrong, I think what google does is extremely viable, but
they may want something for their generosity, such as selling targeted
adspace to people who just want to read mail. I'm sure you can turn
off that feature, and I"m sure many do, but I would think that Google
looks askance at that in much the same way that a network executive
would for someone who is using high-tech devices to fast forward
through commercials (and several network executives have made their
point known on that issue.) Ditto with yahoo, probably
sourceforge.net, whatever. (I play with a project that is hosted on
sourceforge, and there've been complaints about it serving up
pro-astrology ads (the program in question is an astronomy/planetarium
app) - they might be able to block the ads).

I've had enough difficulty with yahoo vs. my (former) DSL setup that I
would not ever want to have my mail hosted there nor participate in a
list that is hosted there.

So in that respect, I agree, outsourcing data resources (when
practical not to do so) shouldn't be done and it's really not
necessary to be done. Interim stuff - maybe, long-term - no.  But
there is obviously a limit to what practicality is there - we can't
be, for instance, an ftp mirror for X versions of
ubuntu/debian/mandrake what have you - and there are "better" places
out there from which to grab that.








> 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!)
>
> Let's go a bit further.  Some of SVLUG services are meetings - are you
> saying we shouldn't be counting on using sponsor venues - we should
> build our own clubhouse somewhere instead?
>
> How about we have SVLUG volunteers on exercise bikes hooked up to the
> servers? that way we can guarantee the servers will be up even if the
> grid fails.
>
> OK I'm sorry for being so sarcastic... (& know you've got a thick
> skin)... but I think this is really too much.  I'm happy I'm the
> CURRENT president - I'd hate to be a FUTURE president trying to get
> things done with a boat anchor like that around their neck.
>
> -Paul
>
> _______________________________________________
> svlug mailing list
> svlug at lists.svlug.org
> http://lists.svlug.org/lists/listinfo/svlug
>