Hi all,

Well, from what I can see on the management side, it looks like we are in need of a new server. Our current server is a hand-me-down and is about 4-5 years old. Although it has been a great server, the technology is limited and we need to make a move to an enterprise-class machine.

There are various reasons for something in the enterprise-level, but, most of the reasons have to do with manageability and disaster recovery. The enterprise machines will support things like remote management, redundant power, redundant operating system (RAID), lower profile, lower power consumption, etc. While I am sure you will see a small performance upgrade, my BIGGEST reason for the new server is reliability.

Most of you have seen the website go down every so often. While I can't say that a new machine will fix all of the problems, it will allow me to start with a fresh operating system and some new supporting services. Simply put, not all of our issues with crashing are hardware related, but, I really want to start with a machine that has absolutely ZERO hardware problems.

That said, our new machine is set to arrive next week. Here's what we are installing:

HP ProLiant DL360 G5 Entry

Rack - 2-way - 1 x Dual-Core Xeon 5130 / 2 GHz - RAM 1 GB - SAS - hot-swap 2.5" - no HDD - ATI ES1000 - Gigabit Ethernet - Monitor : none - 1U

I've added two 72GB hot-swap 2.5" SAS disks that will be used for our operating system. They will be installed in a RAID1 or hardware mirror. If we have a drive failure... the site will NOT crash in this configuration.

I also have a need for more memory. But, I am tapped out. It would be nice to have at least 4GB of memory (it comes with 1GB) and two more hard disks to hold our backups.

If any of you feel inclined to help with this cause, we could use the donations. Or, if you would rather purchase some memory, hard disks, or whatever... we'd appreciate the donations. You can use the "Support Us" button from the top menu.

I don't plan to move the club over to the new server for a few weeks, but, please let me know if you have questions or concerns.

-- Mike

So I'll ask the obvious : How much money is needed , and how much was donated so far ? This is a direct numbers question, leaving guilt and appropriate slaps on the back for Mike and previous members that have donated ? No , I haven't as of yet , and I'm not sure I am in favor of the red name indicator . Just the hard bottom line please . Thanks !

Hi Unkle,

As of the time for this post, we have exactly $600 in donations.

We need to buy:

- 4GB RAM Kit = $200

- 2 Data HDD's = $700

- Smart UPS 1400 = $800

Total = $1,700

If we remove the UPS, I think we are almost to our target!

-- Mike

As of the time for this post, we have exactly $600 in donations.

We need to buy:

- 4GB RAM Kit = $200

- 2 Data HDD's = $700

- Smart UPS 1400 = $800

Total = $1,700

If we remove the UPS, I think we are almost to our target!

-- Mike

Thanks Mike,

It is nice to see where we are and where we need to be.

I love this site. Thanks for making it happen.

Al

The red name thing must be quite recent. As noted, I also know of several monetary supporters whose names are not red. And I don't know for certain what triggers it, either. I made a new small donation via PayPal last night, but no change in my name. But as was also noted here, I really don't care. I know I donated, and that's all the matters to me.

I agree wholeheartedly. As far as I'm concerned, there are a number of ways to contribute to the site. Jason expressing the wish that there was something in the account is nice, but not necessary. His 2000+ posts and general activity (not to mention the Jello avatar) bring tremendous value to all us "newbies" seeking elightenment.

Maybe we should have a user of the month/year/all-time poll...

First cut at list:

sblake01: 5350 posts

hls30.com: 5274 posts

Mike: 4156 posts

TomoHawk: 3880 posts

Arne: 3471 posts

EScanlon: 3455 posts

26th-Z: 2804 posts

HS30-H: 2539 posts

e_racer1999: 2074 posts

1 Bravo 6: 2010 posts (maybe on the basis of bad jokes alone)

Zs-ondabrain: 1501 posts

Carl Beck: 1449 posts

zbane: 1340 posts

jmortensen: 1157 posts

ron carter: 1097 posts

geezer: 689 posts

sailor bob: 553 posts

darbji280Z: 232 posts

Two of the last three were to ensure sufficient Canadian content. 1 of the last three is because I think it might be a slam-dunk winner. Some at the top of the list might seek therapy...

Some at the top of the list might seek therapy...

Yeah, that'd be me. What you didn't notice is that most of those members with high post counts have been members for many years. Me? ...Not so much.

I really ought to get a life... :nervous:

I need the money now as I only have 1 more week to work on the Z, so I need all the money I have if something goes wrong. But once I get back home, (Feburary) I will try to donate as much as I can. I know that this stuff is extremely expensive, so I will help out. Even if by the time the parts have been ordered, my funds can go towards your time and the cost of the PC.

I would like to donate at least $50, but will do a minimum of $20. So when I donate, I will end up posting back.

Thanks for all the good work and keeping this site running. I knew that a new computer was in the works after all the down time.

<bump up> RED's a nice color!

... Some at the top of the list might seek therapy...

I just sent my carbs in for some serious ZTherapy, does that count?

Will

Hi all,

Quick update, we are at $850.

Hi Mike -

Thanks for the reminder. I just made my yearly donation.

Cheers,

Glen in Co

I agree wholeheartedly. As far as I'm concerned, there are a number of ways to contribute to the site. Jason expressing the wish that there was something in the account is nice, but not necessary. His 2000+ posts and general activity (not to mention the Jello avatar) bring tremendous value to all us "newbies" seeking elightenment.

aww shucks....

Mike - your new avitar is comical and/but strangely reminds me of deep throat.

Hrmm... somehow Deep Throat and Muppets is not a link that I would have made unprompted. But now that you bring it up, I'm mildly disturbed...