[H-GEN] Membership form

[Russell Stuart]

On Thu, 2009-08-13 at 14:48 +1000, Raymond Smith wrote:
> I do not see how moving to a virtual machine which was, when I last checked,
> being paid for by Robert Brockway is much of a change in the status quo
> which was using a physical machine paid for by Miju Systems.

Probably there isn't much difference, other than me not wanting to see
the SysAdmin role drift out of sight and out of mind as it obviously had
done when caliburn went down the last time.  To me, it seems when the
people who setup caliburn moved on, Humbug's sense of responsibility for
its infrastructure faded.  I don't know enough of the history to say
why, other than I suspect having SysAdmin list hidden was probably a
contributing factor.

If there is a difference, it is one of choice.  When caliburn was set up
and hosting arranged I suspect there weren't too many other choices
available.  If it was going to happen at reasonable cost, using Humbug's
contacts within UQ was the way it had to be.  Naturally the people with
those contacts ran things.  Now it is different.  Renting a VM is within
Humbug's budget.  It doesn't need special contacts - anyone can do it
over the internet.  This means it can be done by anybody elected to the
exec.  And since the Exec can now in a real sense "own and run" the VM,
it should.

Right now it doesn't, of course, thanks to Robert's generosity.  I don't
know how long Robert will want to continue the current arrangement, but
the fact we now have choices means the social dynamic has changed.
Electing a SysAdmin, making the lists visible and allowing everyone to
contribute reflects that change.

As for Robert's generosity, somehow Robert paying more than a years
membership dues each month for Excalibur's VM, and then also asking him
to front up for membership fees so he can vote doesn't feel right.
Trouble is I don't know how to fix it and stay within the constitution.
I ain't no lawyer.