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Subject:Re: ADMIN: More on upcoming list changes--READ ME From:Marilynne Smith <marilyns -at- QUALCOMM -dot- COM> Date:Tue, 3 Aug 1999 17:56:10 -0700
One List is an acceptable option.
Marilynne
At 01:27 PM 8/3/99 , Eric J. Ray wrote:
>Gang,
>
>We announced planned list changes a little over a week
>ago. These changes include a change to the TECHWR-L
>site to make part of it accessible to members only,
>selling ads on the site, and making additional changes
>to the list (no free ads, etc.) starting
>as soon as we move to a new list host. The move to a new
>list host is necessary simply because Okstate has been
>amply generous with server resources over the past 6 1/2
>years, and they've gently suggested that, if we have a
>place to go, we should probably consider moving.
>
>Making part of the site accessible to "members" only,
>selling ads on the site, and charging for ads on the list
>are approaches that we thought would be effective ways of
>covering the costs of a new list host. However, the response
>to these options has been distinctly less than overwhelming.
>
>Here are the givens:
>Moving TECHWR-L to a dedicated list host would cost (at list prices)
>up to $36,000/month (that's not a typo). Realistically speaking,
>after negotiations and shopping around, we'd be looking at costs
>of around $600-$700/month for server access alone.
>
>Moving TECHWR-L to a new server (co-located somewhere) and
>purchasing and administering the software ourselves would
>cost around $400 - $500/month, plus $3000 up front for software.
>This would allow additional lists (on focused topics or just
>for chatting) and support additional services as appropriate,
>but require more administration overhead.
>
>Moving TECHWR-L to Onelist or the like would cost nearly
>nothing. YMMV when it comes to free list hosting services, but
>we've seen frequent (weekly or more often) delays in posting
>and random messages that vanish and reappear. This might be
>acceptable, or might not. We don't know.
>
>Closing TECHWR-L down would cost exactly nothing.
>
>And other issues to consider:
>Raycomm, Inc., will not subsidize this level of costs for TECHWR-L.
>Since I started the list, I've done it for nothing more than
>thank yous, and Deb's done the same with the Web site. Conservatively,
>we put in about 200 hours/year on TECHWR-L (which is time that
>we're not billing to clients, so could be considered a donation of
>_well_ over $10,000 annually). That's fine--that was my
>choice when I started the list, and Deb's when she started
>work on the Web site. For both of us, that's a service that we're
>happy to provide to the community. However, RayComm, Inc., will not
>pay $6000+ in direct costs annually to keep TECHWR-L going.
>
>Options that we've considered as viable include:
>* accepting donations of server or co-location space
>* accepting a donation of the necessary software (Lyris or Listserv
> would be required to provide this level of service)
>* accepting other contributions in the form of memberships,
> sponsorships, etc.
> (Obviously, all of the above would be amply acknowledged
> on the list and on the site)
>* moving the list to Onelist or a similar service
>* shutting down the list completely
>
>There are undoubtedly other alternatives that we haven't considered,
>and most of the options above have substantial downsides
>(e.g., if the server is co-located at a company with a
>substantial consulting, writing, or software development
>presence, would the list be able to continue to be a fully
>impartial discussion forum?). However, the bottom line
>is that the list must move, RayComm won't absorb the costs,
>and RayComm won't take a substantial gamble that the
>costs will somehow be covered before the bills are due.
>
>Consider this _open_ for discussion on the list, or feel
>free to comment to me or Deb offline (ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com,
>debray -at- raycomm -dot- com).
>
>Eric
>
>
>--
>^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>Eric J. Ray ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com
>TECHWR-L Listowner
>
>From ??? -at- ??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000==
>
>
>
