[ic] OT: Alternatives to Red Hat-> more questions

[Paul Jordan]

Rene Hertell [interchange-users at hertell.com] wrote:
>> Not all releases, but Debian supported potato (release before
>> current stable) for at least a year after woody was released.
>
> How painful will the process be for upgrading from current stable to
> an future stable version? Is a "clean install" the best way, or is the
> update-process easy and reliable (for a machine that runs only IC +
> db and an email-server)
>
> Rene


I, like Rene, and I think many others simply want to run IC, a sql DB, and an
MTA. Nothing else very fancy. It would be nice if some (more than one) of the
devgroup did IC centric hosting. No Cpanel, just barebones tried and tested
software combinations e.g., LAMP.

The devgroup could upfront (possibly with help) for the severs, then resell
space+bandwidth and NOT SUPPLY ANY support. Support would be the mail list. The
"host" would only take paid support for IC "extras, or help".

You can get a super duper server for $300/mo (not collocated). Resell 100 $25
accounts for your average "foundation alterer" type accounts. I say dedicated
so as long as everything is BU'd, there is not much liability for the "host".

I think many people would opt for a "trusted IC environment" with no host
supplied "variables".

Alternatively, you could also provide a "trusted IC network". A dozen severs
setup to load balance, cluster, mirror, or whatever and resell them as "premium
accounts". I know that if the devgroup supplied a scalable network, with
backups, and maintenance (OS patches only) that was semi redundant, you could
resell those accounts for $400, $500 a month each. Most semi serious
developers, don't even need really that much bandwidth or space, they are just
concerned with reliability. That said, many of those developers are not within
the mindset of OS/Server level maintenance, nor do they want to be.

I know I have been talking with some people about this very topic. I cannot
afford 10 severs to setup a killer environment, but I could probably afford
more than one. I am sure the devgroup can find some other small developers
(like me) to pitch in $300 - $500 a month. Each of us cannot afford 10 servers,
but maybe the more serious developers can together, with the overage accounts
paid to the "host".

I currently pay around $200/mo. But I would gladly may $300 or $400 if I knew
that my setup was more reliable, i.e., if any one server is down for any
reason, email will get redirected to another server, so I can still communicate
normally. Stuff like that.

I think there are many developers like me, that work on only their own
projects, don't use PHP, etc, have no idea about the depth and complication of
keeping the OS, Apache, Sendmail, etc, etc, up to date, and have no idea about
their caveats. But are willing to pay extra for a "big brother" that oversees
that portion of things.

I think %88 of IC users simply want to work in IC alone, with a SQL db, and of
course use email.

A "Trusted IC Network" would be only be maintained by the "host" at
OS/Webserver/MTA levels. The advantage of this all is that may of us could take
advantage of redundancy in a 10+ server environment, where we otherwise could
not afford to.

Anyways, it is something I have been talking to people about. I think it could
generate revenue for the group as well, if they where the "host". I also think
the initial outlay of cash could be made by simple putting out a call to see
who is interested before hand, and taking a small "deposit" up front.

Aligning like interests is something that can be taken advantage of, in
hosting, developing projects, or even sharing costs of developing apps, people
just need to be aware they are going on.

Paul