[CSL board] dreamhost vs. our own hosting

[Fred G. Martin]

I do think part of the idea is that the CSL would still be doing much  
of the end-user support.

In other words, I would imagine that most of the CSL's clientele  
wouldn't be capable with the control panel.

I'd be happy to be wrong -- if people can self-administrate, it's a  
win all around.

Fred


On Nov 15, 2007, at 9:36 AM, Dan MacNeil wrote:

> I've opened a ticket / started the discussion with Dreamhost.
>
> Since in some ways their support is better than ours and since
> support is time consuming and concentration breaking, I'd be
> inclined to either give it all up or give up none. --Not a firm
> opinion.
>
> I'll forward their reply.
>
>
> ########
> Fred G. Martin wrote:
>> I checked out dreamhost.com and they do seem like a highly competent
>> company that also has a sense of humor about themselves.
>>
>> Their page on free hosting for 501c3's actually includes the word
>> "forever":
>>> Once the {501(c)(3) determination letter} has been received we'll
>>> configure your account appropriately and you'll be happily hosting
>>> your non-profit selves, forever!
>>
>> (from http://wiki.dreamhost.com/index.php/Non-profit_Discount )
>>
>> I think the CSL should seriously consider a virtual hosting model,
>> where a company like Dreamhost does the dirty work of running tape
>> backups, keeping uninterruptible power supplies happy, keeping up
>> with the latest despamming techniques, etc.
>>
>> While we would not have the warm and fuzzy feeling of knowing that we
>> can physically handle the hard drive that holds our clients' data, we
>> would be freed from putting out fires when things go wrong on an on-
>> going basis.
>>
>> More importantly, we could focus on higher level projects, like
>> MVHub.  Note:  there are two aspects to "higher level":  (1)
>> technological, and (2) interpersonal -- making contacts with local
>> organizations.  (I didn't get a chance to say this at tonight's
>> meeting, but I believe a key reason how MVHub can continue to stay
>> relevant is that the data on it is regularly kept up to date by
>> people who care.  Databases must be maintained to be useful.)
>>
>> The hand-holding work of helping non-technical non-profits have their
>> web sites and email configured would still be a core mission of the
>> CSL.  The CSL could assert "we provide web hosting and email services
>> to local non-profits," even if we don't physically own the machines
>> that provide those services.
>>
>> We would be providing the service of making a commercial-quality ISP
>> accessible to non-profits.
>>
>> I think it would be worthwhile to have a conversation with the
>> principals at Dreamhost to see if they would be amenable to this.
>>
>> The CEO and staff mostly have childhood pictures of themselves on
>> their "About Us" page, so they seem pretty accessible.
>>
>> Fred
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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