VOICE - General Meeting for 2004-04-17

12:03:58 <WalterOS2> This meeting of VOICE is now in session.
<wdl> T'ank you...
* WalterOS2 hopes Gord can start coming again.
<WalterOS2> I've asked him for a treasurer's report. We'll have to wait till he sends it. :-(
<WalterOS2> Hmm. Roderick's missing as well. :-(
<WalterOS2> This is going to be a short meeting, unless some of these people come later.
<WalterOS2> Old Business
<wdl> Will someone please *also* record The Log? I've had some trouble with screens just winking out. New mouse.
<wdl> ...which I *think* is no longer a problem...
<wdl> ...but I'd like a backup for this session.
<WalterOS2> A3. Update on changes to VOICE banner.
<WalterOS2> I've got it.
<wdl> Thabnks.
<wdl> Uh... "Thanks"
<WalterOS2> Ken..Can you give us an update on your banner forms, etc?
<KenKrchnr> The last time we left it there was supposed to be a mailing sent out to poll the membership. Has that happened?
<WalterOS2> I think I asked Bill to do that.
<WalterOS2> Bill, did you get it sent out?
<wdl> Walter: Nope. You asked me to draft a letter.
<wdl> Which I did, and sent to you.
<wdl> Anyway, I've got no list to send anything too.
<wdl> "too" = "to".
<WalterOS2> My main system was down for about 4 days of last week, and that took my email with it.
<WalterOS2> I don't think I got your email.
<wdl> Walter:
<WalterOS2> Can't find it if I did. :-(

<wdl> ______________________________________________
<wdl> Ever mindful of the changing times, our VOICE Board of Dirctors decided it was time to change the website logo. An image of the eComstation CD would be added to the website graphic, joining the Warp CD graphic already there.
<wdl> VOICE is meant to be inclusive of the entire OS/2 community. Whatever else might be said about it, "eCS" is built upon the OS/2 core. It *is* an OS/2 derivative.
<wdl> The Board would like to know how VOICE members feel. Please reply to this
<wdl> message with "YES" - indicating approval of the eCS addition, or "NO" - indicating you don't like the change.
<wdl> This is NOT a vote binding the Board to take any action either way.
<wdl> ______________________________________________

<WalterOS2> Now that we all have it, are there any comments?
| three-lines removed; correction inserted into the email text above -wdl |
<KenKrchnr> Maybe Bill could make that the first VOICE poll builder poll :-)
<wdl> Someone still has to tell people there *is* a poll...
<WalterOS2> Ken: can we create those ourselves, or do we need your intervention?
<WalterOS2> wdl: Agreed.
<WalterOS2> Hello Mark
<MADodel> hello Walter
<KenKrchnr> Those who found out the "secret" can make them.
<KenKrchnr> Bill and Mark have been the first of the testers.
<WalterOS2> Mark, we're just talking about the changing the banner.
* MADodel is quite pleased with the new polling function.
<wdl> As is wdl.
<MADodel> Ken is a very talented guy
<WalterOS2> Ken: I didn't get the secret.
<KenKrchnr> I did set up an account for you, didn't ypu get that email?
<WalterOS2> No.
<WalterOS2> Ken: Neat!
<KenKrchnr> It's getting there.
<wdl> Ken: Yeeess... Would that automatically reach the actuakl paid-up membership?
<wdl> "actuakl" = actual
<WalterOS2> Is Vaughn here?
<wdl> Ken: Let me know when the polling site actually is online and ready for work.
<WalterOS2> IAC, I can email him to find out about the state of the VOICE email list.
<wdl> Ken: Then I'd like you to "vet" the actual poll.
<WalterOS2> There may be a problem with "paid-up" because that's something Gord is still working on.
<eCSNL> hello
<WalterOS2> Hello Roderick
<WalterOS2> Anything else to discuss about the banners and polls?
<WalterOS2> If not, then let's go back to A2: Speakups
<WalterOS2> Roderick: What's the latest word?
<WalterOS2> Maybe he's gone to sleep... :-)
<WalterOS2> Guess he's not really here. :-(
<WalterOS2> Let's move on to New Business:
<WalterOS2> 1. VOICE1 location
<WalterOS2> I've emailed Ed Scrutton in Windsor, Ontario but haven't heard back from him.
<WalterOS2> It seems I didn't get all my email while my main system was down, so I could have missed it.
<WalterOS2> I emailed again yesterday.
<WalterOS2> emailed him.
<WalterOS2> Regarding location VOICE1 at his business.
<eCSNL> Ooops I'm here...
<eCSNL> I got any email from John Gow he wants to join a speakup
<WalterOS2> Glad you're back...
<WalterOS2> What dates does he prefer?
<eCSNL> I'm still waiting for an email back on that
<eCSNL> subject
<WalterOS2> OK, keep me apprised.
<WalterOS2> :-)
<WalterOS2> Back to VOICE1
<WalterOS2> I'm still hoping to hear from Ed.
<WalterOS2> I have upgraded my ISP connection to "server-class" (3 mbps download and 640 kbps upload)
<WalterOS2> I did it principally because I want to put a server up.
<WalterOS2> However, as a last resort, I could now host VOICE1.
<WalterOS2> I'm getting tired of doing all the "talking". :-)
<KenKrchnr> I think it's been 2 months since voice1 was disconnected.
<KenKrchnr> It may be getting to be time to do something before TE thinks the machine is abandoned.
<WalterOS2> Any other comments?
<WalterOS2> If eCSNL drops around, I'll quiz him about Mensys.
<wdl> Only a few lines up, he did start talking...
<WalterOS2> I hope he comes back, that's all :-)
<WalterOS2> I was thinking that if the traffic and usage was low enough, we might just send the files over there without sending the actual dries.
<WalterOS2> er..drives.
<KenKrchnr> Well, the usage has been *real* low since November :-)
<WalterOS2> :-)
<WalterOS2> Ken, could you come up with some sort of estimate of expected traffic level?
<KenKrchnr> If we do get the machine again, I'd like to pop the 2 36G drives into voice2 with a new scsi raid board I got for it. With the 36G I have now, that would give us 72G raid 5.
<WalterOS2> What's raid 5?
<KenKrchnr> Right now we have 13G raid 5, 36G non redundant.
<KenKrchnr> Raid 5 is redundant (can rebuild without data loss on single drive failure)
<WalterOS2> 72G raid 5 definitely sounds good!
<KenKrchnr> The traffic would only be in the case of voice2 failure or if power or the t1 were to fail.
<WalterOS2> Plus your overnight backup scripts.
<KenKrchnr> Those would depend mostly on what the DB2 stuff is for WD. Other than that there is very little day to day change on the websites.
<WalterOS2> Ken: You said: "If we do get the machine again, I'd like to pop the 2 36G drives into voice2 with a new scsi
<WalterOS2> raid board I got for it. With the 36G I have now, that would give us 72G raid 5."
<WalterOS2> If we did that, then VOICE1 wouldn't be available for secondary backup, or do you have something else in mind?
<KenKrchnr> Then we put the existing voice2 drives into voice1. As a backup there would be sufficient space, and it would be better to have the faster drives on the system more heavily used.
<WalterOS2> If we do have to put VOICE1 at my place, I would need the whole machine because I don't have enough hardware to run independantly of what I do here without it.
<WalterOS2> That makes sense.
<KenKrchnr> Right now the sum total of storage in use is less than 10G. And of the raid 5 only 3 -4G is used.
<WalterOS2> However the geographical logistics may present a problem. :-)
<KenKrchnr> Drives are easy to ship, the machine maybe a bit more involved.
<WalterOS2> I've got the *space* on my alternate (non-development) system for the backup files, but I'm hesitate to put VOICE's stuff on it, because I do take it down for upgrading, etc. on occasion.
<WalterOS2> I have several hundred Gigs of free space on fast drives on that machine. :-)
<WalterOS2> OK, if Mensys doesn't work out, we could theoretically ship the *machine* to you, you could exchange and reconfigure the drives, and send the drives to me. In theory.
<WalterOS2> But that leaves VOICE1 sharing a machine.
<KenKrchnr> I could then get the machine to you as well.
<WalterOS2> And an IP. :-)
<WalterOS2> Ken: What's the best way to ship it--over the border?
<WalterOS2> And don't say UPS!
<KenKrchnr> FedEx can handle that pretty well, they do all the customs stuff.
<KenKrchnr> Or, I may be able to get it up there with a salesman :-)
<WalterOS2> That would be cool! You have salemen up here?
<KenKrchnr> Hmmm, how far are you from Buffalo area?
<WalterOS2> About 3 hours. Actually if we timed it right, we could meet you in Buffalo.
<WalterOS2> If my wife couldn't make, I think I know a VOICE member would drive me.
<KenKrchnr> Then we'll be able to work something out. Either there or closer to where you are. I'd see who we planned to visit around that time ;-)
<WalterOS2> :-)
<WalterOS2> Unless I hear something positive from Ed or Roderick, that's probably the best way to go.
<WalterOS2> What would I need to get the machine past the border officials?
<WalterOS2> Second question.
<KenKrchnr> Usually a "customs invoice" showing value, which should be quite low.
<WalterOS2> OK, that's good. Can you handle that?
<WalterOS2> My server-access includes one dynamic IP.
<WalterOS2> Any problems with putting two low-usage servers on one IP?
<MADodel> Do they block server ports?
<KenKrchnr> Yes, we do them quite often.
<WalterOS2> Actually, I currently have 6 machines on that IP, but none of them are servers.
<MADodel> Do you know if your service agreement allows servers?
<WalterOS2> Mark: No. I've checked. And since my new contract specifically allows servers, they wouldn't do it anyway.
<KenKrchnr> You can only have one "service" at a given ip/port combination.
<WalterOS2> Mark: Before you came in:
<WalterOS2> I have upgraded my ISP connection to "server-class" (3 mbps download and 640 kbps upload)
<WalterOS2> <WalterOS2> I did it principally because I want to put a server up.
<WalterOS2> <WalterOS2> However, as a last resort, I could now host VOICE1.
<MADodel> Excellent
<WalterOS2> Ken: Could you explain what you said a bit?
<KenKrchnr> So if you have a webserver at port 80, another webserver would have to be at a different (non standard) port.
<WalterOS2> OK.
<WalterOS2> Any other comments or discussion about VOICE1?
<WalterOS2> We should probably have a motion to the effect that if Roderick and Ed Scrutton are unable/unwilling to host VOICE1, then Walter will host it at his location. First, however, it will be sent to Ken's for hard drive exchange and reconfiguration. Then Ken will ship it (one way or another) to Walter for final installation.
<WalterOS2> I guess we also need to find out exactly where VOICE1 currently is.
<KenKrchnr> Last I heard it was still in New Era, MI.
<WalterOS2> Ken, Bill: Do you think we need to be on site at Think Extreme's location to pick it up and ship it, or can we arrange with Holand to do that?
<WalterOS2> I'm at a loss on that point.
<KenKrchnr> I think they can ship it.
<wdl> Walter: "Bill"?? I'm out of that loop, I think...
<WalterOS2> Bill: Just asking your opinion, that's all. :-)
<KenKrchnr> Lary did mention that option. I believe in that business there is probably quite a bit of machine transport being done.
<WalterOS2> What's involved?
<wdl> Walter: Hmmm. I hate to leave "things" in the hands of people I can't see...
<wdl> ...unless I know them well enough...
<WalterOS2> I sort of share Bill's feeling on that subject.
<wdl> ...Is TE "known" well enough?
<KenKrchnr> Tell them we want to ship it, give them an address. See if they have suitable packaging material and go from there.
<WalterOS2> Ken: Have you had much contact them?
<WalterOS2> contact with them?
<KenKrchnr> Not much. Just the few times we found voice1 down.
<wdl> Walter: ...But Ken's approach is the usual/conventional probly correct way to start things up.
<WalterOS2> Ken: Since it will be going to you, do you want to make the arrangements?
<WalterOS2> Plus you're a business man as well.
<WalterOS2> :-)
<KenKrchnr> I can do that, once we agree that's what we want to do.
<WalterOS2> OK, I want to wait till, say Friday, for other responses.
<wdl> Walter: Why??
<WalterOS2> Because I just re-send my message to Ed on Friday. I may have missed his first response like I missed yours.
<WalterOS2> er..re-sent
<wdl> Walter: Ok; understood.
<WalterOS2> I already have a lot on my plate, so if someone else offers to do it, then I would like them to do it. :-)
<WalterOS2> Do we need to have the motion I stated earlier?
<WalterOS2> i.e. We should probably have a motion to the effect that if Roderick and Ed Scrutton are
<WalterOS2> unable/unwilling to host VOICE1, then Walter will host it at his location. First, however, it will be
<WalterOS2> sent to Ken's for hard drive exchange and reconfiguration. Then Ken will ship it (one way or another)
<WalterOS2> to Walter for final installation.
<wdl> OK, I so move. But really, an "Executive Order" would be enough?
<WalterOS2> Thanks.
<WalterOS2> Is there a seconder?
<MADodel> second
<WalterOS2> Thanks, Mark.
<WalterOS2> All in favour of the motion:if Roderick and Ed Scrutton are
<WalterOS2> <WalterOS2> unable/unwilling to host VOICE1, then Walter will host it at his location. First, however, it will be
<WalterOS2> <WalterOS2> sent to Ken's for hard drive exchange and reconfiguration. Then Ken will ship it (one way or another)
<WalterOS2> <WalterOS2> to Walter for final installation.
<WalterOS2> Please type "Aye"
<wdl> Aye.
<KenKrchnr> Aye
<MADodel> aye
<WalterOS2> Aye (since I'm the "victim"<g>)
<WalterOS2> All opposed, please type Nay.
<WalterOS2> Motion is carried.
<WalterOS2> At least that subject is closed.
<WalterOS2> Ken, if I don't get responses by Friday, I'll let you know, and you can start the ball rolling.
<KenKrchnr> OK
<WalterOS2> Thanks everyone for your help in this matter.
<WalterOS2> End of official meeting.
<WalterOS2> Other discussion?
<wdl> Walter: Magic words?
<WalterOS2> Bill: how are you doing with eCS?
<WalterOS2> I just paraphrased them. :-)
<KenKrchnr> You mean, [ NB: can't say them here! -wdl ]
<WalterOS2> Sorry, I guess I did get carried away. :-)
<wdl> No, no, noooo. Paraphrase doesn't work with the conversion script.Magic words?
<wdl> Thanks, Ken.
<WalterOS2> Someone want to [ NB: ...or here -wdl ] the official part of the meeting?
<WalterOS2> make a move to...
<wdl> Walter: re eCS. No joy. But I *believe* I know what's happening.
<WalterOS2> Nobody has said the magic words yet, so we can't talk about this..<VBG>
<wdl> Ken said them...
<KenKrchnr> Bill knows *what's* happening, but not yet *why*
<MADodel> motion to adjourn
<WalterOS2> Thanks.
<wdl> Ken: Even, I believe I know why.
<WalterOS2> All in favour of motion to adjourn, please type Aye.
<wdl> Aye.
<MADodel> aye
<KenKrchnr> (sorry Bill, I got sidetracked this week)
<wdl> No problem.
<WalterOS2> All opposed please type Nay.
13:50:48 <WalterOS2> Motion carried. Meeting adjourned.