Re: AKLUG server

Thanks for maintaining the site. I like the new look.

Sounds like you have already implemented some of my suggestions.

   1. I had no idea the site was based on WordPress
   2. I didn't know that members could become editors
   3. Wasn't aware that wiki registration had to be approved by the admin

I think what we need here is better communication and education. If
aklug members are told what, where, how, and why we won't complain as
much. I am a firm believer in educating the end user. In this case aklug
members are end users of the aklug website/server.

The only issue left is the nonstandard Linux distribution. Mike chose to
go with the Arthur Corliss Linux distribution. I'm sure it's stable and
secure. However, we ran into trouble while installing Apache, PHP,
Horde, etc... Mike wanted to compile from source. What is the goal here?

   1. Are we trying to build a sever that says we are cool because we
      run a distribution built by a member of aklug and we compile
      software from source?
   2. Are we trying to build a sever that is easy to maintain and will
      last for years with out a reinstall of the OS?

As a geek I like #1. As a sys admin I have to go with #2. Option 2
allows a few members of aklug to jump in and fix the server if a problem
comes up. If we shoot for option 1 and something goes wrong we might
need Arthur's help. Something to take into consideration here is that a
standard Linux distribution can be installed and configured in a couple
of hours.

Well, that's it for me. Time for others to jump in. I hope to see member
generated content on the website.

kracker wrote:
> On 12/28/06, Damien Hull <dhull@digitaloverload.net> wrote:
> <snip />
>
>> I think it's hosted on another server. Last I herd Mike had the AKLUG
>> server. One Friday meeting an OS was installed. Another Friday meeting
>> we tried to install Apache and Horde. It didn't work.
>>
>
> Last I heard, Mike was rebuilding the server and the related software
> dependencies.
>
> While I did not hear about the results, I don't remember hearing of
> problems, these are standard software packages.
>
>
>
>> From a system administration point of view I think a few things need to
>> be changed. I make these suggestions based on the current stat of things.
>>
>> 1. The AKLUG server is off line at the moment
>>
>
> While the old hardware may be off line at the moment. AKLUG services
> are not offline.
>
>
>
>> 2. The Linux distribution that was chosen is not a standard one
>>
>
> Which was chosen? By what definition do you claim it is not a 'standard' one?
>
>
>
>> 3. The horde wiki is a nice idea but people are having trouble posting
>>
>
> This is because the wiki is currently requiring that accounts are
> activated by an administrator before they are allowed to login. These
> requests are supposed to be emailed to an aklug admin for approval via
> the horde : user administration.
>
> This is a configuration feature which protects against abuse. I'm sure
> it could be disabled.
>
>
>
>> My suggestions
>>
>>
> <snip />
>
>> 3. Find a PHP application for managing the website
>> 1. Joomla http://www.joomla.org/
>> 2. WordPress http://wordpress.org/
>> 3. Droupal http://drupal.org/
>> 4. Switch the wiki to MediaWiki ( same thing wikipedia uses )
>> http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/MediaWiki
>>
>
> I would only step in to say that I have spent a large amount of time
> contributing and supporting the current implementation of horde, wiked
> and wordpress and would welcome feature suggestions more than
> blanketed application/framework suggestions.
>
> The latest wiki upgrades now ensure the wiki is now rock solid, with
> more features than we need. The website is now based on a customized
> build of wordpress software + custom configurations.
>
> Several people have spent a large number of hours building and
> supporting the current evolution of the aklug.org web application,
> content, configuration, etc.
>
>
>
>> These are only suggestions. Some of them may or may not work. However,
>> switching to something like WordPress or Joomla would allow members to
>> contribute content to the AKLUG website. Installing a standard Linux
>> distribution would make setup and maintenance much easer.
>>
>
> While I welcome extending the features the aklug.org site provides, I
> think these should be documented as feature requirements rather than
> just vote to switch to something else.
>
> Select members of the aklug who register for an account on aklug.org
> (via wordpress) are part of an 'editors' group which can submit
> content to the aklug.org website already. In fact this was one of the
> features I listed in my requirements for the site during the last
> re-implementation.
>
> People can email requests to be added as an editor, as I said a few
> people already are editors.
>
>
>
>> Again, these are only suggestions. If you think my suggestions are good,
>> bad or ugly let me know.
>>
>
> It's great that others take an interest! I think we should all work
> together to create the success we individually envision.
>
> I think the requirements in long form down to the site outline level
> would be more useful documentation for the group than another
> implementation of a different not equal set of requirements.
>
> We all prolly could re-implement the aklug.org site
> features/requirements in any number of software package combinations
> imaginable.
>
> In the end the code/software becomes less relevant and your own
> individual actual requirements become more relevant.
>
> I would ask others with the drive, write what they think is missing or
> should be added as well as suggestions.
>
> Write clearly, be verbose, quote details, cite examples, use
> references. I do and it works ... very well in outlining.
>
> All this said, I chose the current wordpress software used for the
> site because it was fast and almost had enough cms like features (with
> enough patches) to do the job and allow for user submitted content and
> ... not enough time to implement it using eZ publish (at that time).
>
> I hope this is helpful. I can write more on this or just go away.
>
> It would be nice to hear from Mike on this subject as well.
>
> //kracker
> quote: `i write reams ......`
>
> tv: metalocalypse
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Received on Fri Dec 29 10:39:42 2006