[NTLUG:Discuss] A suggestion for NTLUG

[Chris Cox]

Dennis Rice wrote:
> Tom,
> Because Chris gets tons of mail, he is selective as to he receives it
> from.  He has a strong spam filter on his system and anyone that he does
> not know will automatically be filtered - he does accept mail from me so
> I have included him in the response.

:)

Indeed... my ccox which is at ntlug.org address DOES work... BUT I don't ever
look at it anymore (99% spam). (sorry)

I do have very heavy filters on cjcox which is at acm.org... but, I
do look at that one (usually more than 4 or 5 times a day).  I can
get hundreds of emails each day... and yes... that's the "good" stuff.
It's a lot to parse through.  Hard to always respond.... and sometimes
I don't read them very closely (I misread them).

> 
> In my past discussion with the group I had the impression that they may
> be running several applications, such as SharePoint, that may not allow
> its operation on Linux.  I think a better suggestion would be for them
> to utilize a virtual server from a provider available at a much lower
> rate.  I have a virtual server from an ISP for $10/month, but yes it is
> running Linux.  Some should be available for Windows.
> 
> Anyways, your idea is good for PR between the two groups and Chris is
> now knows of it.

We were at theplanet.com inside their "junk" rack where they used to
house the "freebie" riders...  but eventually, they ended that policy
for certain non-profits (but as I understand.. not ALL)...

Anyway, we got booted out.  Fortunately, Patrick Michaud was willing
to house us at his site.. and that has worked out quite well.  We can't
do just anything there... but all in all, it's pretty flexible and we
do have most of the primary services... and IMHO, even better than
most hosting plans.  We are grateful.

> 
> Dennis
> 
> TomO wrote:
>> Hello, Dennis. I am the older "geek" like you wearing the floppy green
>> hat that was at the meeting today... My first at the Lutheran church.
>> Good centralized meeting place and for Window$ users, the NTPCUG is
>> just down the hall. Maybe the LUG can draw off some of those
>> interested in Linux.

Agreed... and this goes for ANYONE at NTLUG, if you form any
relationships with NTPCUG that leads to some great ideas for
collaboration... by all means... share them here and with any
board member, etc.

>>
>> I had an idea and looked at the NTLUG website for an email for Chris
>> and didn't find a contact link for anyone... Is this an intentional
>> oversight ?

We used to have them on the About page.... we'll see.. it may return.
Hey!  Here's something, did you know that ANYONE can get rights
to modify the NTLUG site?  Just send me a private email and I'll set
you up (it's all PmWiki). (but don't just put email addresses everywhere...
no sense arming the spam bots).

>>
>> Anyway, the reason for my email . . .  As I was leaving I stopped
>> momentarily at the door of a large room where the NTPCUG was holding a
>> business meeting.
>>
>> They are paying $150 per month to host their server at thePlanet.com
>> and were talking about moving it to someplace else to save money. They
>> were hosting TWO computers for $300/MO but took one computer down.
>>
>> The place they were talking about moving it to was the church and tie
>> it into their network. Someone mentiioned perhaps they could
>> improved/pay for improved bandwidth for the church as a gesture of
>> good will.
>>
>> We saw the bandwidth at the church this morning; dismal. Like a dial
>> up modem to a poor AOL modem bank.

I sense something is just wrong on that network.  Which is somewhat
typical of an unadminstered network.

>>
>> From the conversation I heard at their meeting this morning; they
>> don't know or have anyone who knows much about hosting plans and costs
>> or what is available. Immediately it came to mind - Why do they need
>> to host a computer of their own at greatly increased costs and with
>> all the security entanglements; ESPECIALLY if it is a Windows server .

I like dreamhost.com.... cheap with infinite disk space and infinite bandwidth...
tell them that cjcox which is at acm.org sent you (so I get a kick back).
:)


>> . .
>>
>> Is it possible that the NTLUG would benefit by someone contacting them
>> and discussing options for their website with them? Why do they need a
>> server hosted? Would not a hosting package on the order of $3 to
>> $10/mo do everything they need? All I see on their website is a few
>> pages and access to a NTPCUG email account.

It's quite easy for me to setup an independent PmWiki off my existing
domain at endlessnow.com.... that would be "free".  But, I think I pay
like $10/mos. for that infinite space, bandwidth, etc... and then you
can have your domain name (and fuller access rights... which are VERY
extensive).

>>
>> Perhaps this would be a "feather" in our hat and repay them for their
>> kindness of sharing their meeting space.

Well... we are PARTNERS.  The cost (and we do pay) is that everyone needs
to be a NTPCUG member.  NTLUG is free.  The dues to NTPCUG are how we
get to "share" the meeting space.  The division of "their" dues vs. our
"no dues" is semantic.  So in reality we all become NTPCUG members (and
we can vote, attend their meetings, etc.).  And in a way, I like
the relationship and hope that it continues... at the same time,
some can't handle the dues.... just let me know... I'll personally
take care of that if it becomes too big of a financial burden (but
it's pretty cheap... cheaper than a monthly trip to McDonald's).

>>
>> Just a thought.

And it's a good thought... I'll at least recommend dreamhost.com
to the NTPCUG.  We'll see!

>>
>> Tom