[Fwd: Re: AKLUG server]

Forgot to send this to the list.

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: AKLUG server
Date: Sat, 30 Dec 2006 10:43:36 -0900
From: Damien Hull <dhull@digitaloverload.net>
To: jonr@destar.net
References: <20061228050922.a12ee7ab@ribeye.akwireless.net>
<200612281809.57977.pabi@gci.net> <45949719.1000906@digitaloverload.net>
<5fe020cf0612290632g34c7bd80j3df22565806e63e6@mail.gmail.com>
<45956F01.5020903@digitaloverload.net>
<1167436513.4595aae1456bb@www.destar.net>

I should start out by saying I don't know a lot about the Corliss
distro. However, I have compiled apache, mysql and php from source. It's
not an easy task. When we tried to install these applications on the
Corliss distro there were problems.

  1. Applications were in places I've never seen them in
  2. Some software was old ( can't remember what )
  3. Mike couldn't figure out the problem

If Mike can't figure out the problem what hope do the rest of us have.

As a system administrator there are a few things I need to take into
consideration when building a server.

  1. Who will help me when things go wrong? (tech support)
  2. How easy is it to maintain?
  3. Will the OS be there for me in 5 years or so? (updates etc...)

I'll use Ubuntu Dapper as an example.

  1. It has 5 years of updates on the server
  2. I get support from the Ubuntu forums, mailing list, IRC and AKLUG
  3. To get updates I just type "sudo apt-get upgrade"

I'm sure the Corliss distro is stable and secure. However, after
evaluating the situation I think the Corliss distribution is the wrong
tool for the job.

One thing to keep in mined here is that not all distributions are
created equal. While the Corliss distro works in your situation I don't
think it works for AKLUG. That brings up another issue. Just because you
know something about Linux does not mean you can maintain any Linux
distribution. Try going from Suse or Debian to Slack. If you have never
tried Slackware it'll be FUN! ;-)

If anyone else has anything to say about this feel free to comment.

Oh, how do I get a copy of the "Corliss distro"? I'd like to stick it on
my test network and take it out for a spin. :-)

jonr@destar.net wrote:
> Quoting Damien Hull <dhull@digitaloverload.net>:
>
>
>> 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.
>>
>
> The only thing non-standard about Corliss distro is that it uses awkward init to
> start the services, and that is fully documented. Other than that it is as
> standard as any other distro.
>
>
>
>> Option 2
>> allows a few members of aklug to jump in and fix the server if a problem
>> comes up.
>>
>
> Any member of AKLUG that has some experience in Linux should be able to jump
> into the box and do any maintenance that needs to be done.
>
>
>> If we shoot for option 1 and something goes wrong we might
>> need Arthur's help.
>>
>
> Why would we need Arthurs help?
>
>
>> Something to take into consideration here is that a
>> standard Linux distribution can be installed and configured in a couple
>> of hours.
>>
>
> Is this the state of AKLUG that we can no longer manage a source based distro
> but only package based distros?
>
>
> Jon
>
>

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Received on Sat Dec 30 10:46:07 2006