[H-GEN] Re: [H-ANNOUNCE] Motions on Notice

[Raymond Smith]

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Robert Brockway said:
>> Effect: HUMBUG would pay for incoming traffic to
>> caliburn.humbug.org.au for web, mailing lists and aliases at the rate
>> UQ charges (presently 0.14 cents / megabyte).
>
> I may be in a position to put some of the HUMBUG services on my
> personal machines to offset potential costs.  I'll discuss this with
> the Exec. Having HUMBUG services spread across multiple machines &
> networks would improve redundancy anyway.

I don't think that would have helped in this case. The bulk of the
traffic was over a two day period in August and a similiar two day
period in September. It appears to have been directed at
caliburn.humbug.org.au. The 'usual' inbound traffic to caliburn is
much less. In fact, it probably would not be charged.

I do agree about redundant servers. We have a second machine
(molinir sp?) kindly hosted by Tim Kent's employer. I think it
would be better for sysadmin at humbug to make this machine more
of a peer to caliburn before we look at using members personal
machines.

> Perhaps others with personal servers online may be able to do something
> as well.

I oppose hosting HUMBUG services from non-HUMBUG equipment. The
problems I see are:

- It leads to members personal property being treated as de facto
  HUMBUG property. This can impact on the owners quiet enjoyment of
  their equipment. (Just ask Bruce about Zerlargal.)
- Changes in personal circumstances could leave HUMBUG in the lurch.
- HUMBUG should have root access (or equivalent) to all HUMBUG machines.
  This is probably not acceptable in the case of personal equipment.
- HUMBUG already has another server (molinir (sp?)) that is underutilised.
- HUMBUG may still need to pay for excessive costs incurred by a
  personal server on HUMBUG's behalf.

On the otherhand, hosting a HUMBUG machine is a different question.
The executive would be more than happy to accept an offer from a new
'PI' to host caliburn and write a blank cheque for traffic charges.

Cheers,

Raymond
-- 
raymond at humbug.org.au



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