[2016-Goal#1] A NEW Server for Ubuntu GNOME

Leo Francisco lists at boywithwings.co.uk
Mon Jan 4 09:28:44 UTC 2016 

I'm sure the people at Canonical will be able to help and advise. I
copied in Popey, who's the community manager. I'm sure he can chat with
you on IRC about this issue and at the very least pass us on to the
right person.

Just as a side note, I think we should be aiming reskin the site with
reference to the design aesthetics of GNOME. I'm sure people from the
design team have some ideas :)

All the best
Leo





On 04/01/16 09:25, Tim wrote:
>
> On 04/01/16 01:57, Jprzybytek at yahoo.ca wrote:
>> So you are saying canonical does not give you ftp,ssh,mysql, and cron?
> I believe (well assume) the current wordpress site, is just an instance on a multisite wordpress server. This does mean we don't have access to
> the underlying system, and do need to contact Canonical support to get themes/plug-ins installed etc and they are generally slow to
> respond/action requests.
>
> That said no one actually knows if Canonical can provide as a more suitable server, because no one has ever asked. We just asked for a wordpress
> site at the time when it was setup. Maybe they can give us a VPS or cloud account, if asked, but then someone needs to admin it.
>
> I really don't think the current hosting thing is what has blocked the new site, I have never seen anything more than a mock-up of the new site.
> Apart from a large debate over Wordpress vs someother CMS, not much ever seems to have been done. The delay of getting a new theme installed on
> the Canonical server would be miniscule compared to the time we have waited for the new site!
>
>> On January 3, 2016 4:34:59 AM EST, Narcis Garcia <informatica at actiu.net> wrote:
>>> It's preferable to reach ceiling in Canonical service before changing
>>> any hosting.
>>>
>>> My servers are commercial colocated ones, and I'm offering website
>>> resources or VPS as needed with a 100% discount for projects like
>>> Ubuntu
>>> Gnome.
>>> But first step is to have a real limitation with current service.
>>>
>>>
>>> El 03/01/16 a les 00:59, jasper at jbacker.nl ha escrit:
>>>> On 2016-01-03 00:46, Ali/amjjawad wrote:
>>>>> On Sun, Jan 3, 2016 at 6:41 AM, Jasper Backer <jasper at jbacker.nl>
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Hi,
>>>>> Hi,
>>>>>
>>>>>> I can provide a proper virtual machine on my dedicated server for
>>>>>> the project. That box will stay up no matter what as I am dependant
>>>>>> on it as well :)
>>>>> Thanks. We need to have 1-2-1 chat later IN CASE we want to consider
>>>>> that option. I can't confirm now. I have very bad experience with
>>>>> 'free' hosting services. No offence, I'm just sharing my experience
>>>>> and I don't mean anything bad here.
>>>> No worries. :) If it's ever needed I can provide it (also should we
>>> need
>>>> a staging environment or just a server for different purposes for the
>>>> project). I'm dependent on the machine itself as well and have the
>>> funds
>>>> to keep it going. :)
>>>>
>>>>>> But indeed, first seek some help. If L/X/Kubuntu have rather proper
>>>>>> websites, we should be able to get this running as well. Maybe ask
>>>>>> for some expertise on the other projects teams?
>>>>> This is still fresh :)
>>>>>
>>>>> Sharing it with all of you:
>>>>>
>>>>>> <knome> to you too
>>>>>> <amjjawad> Thanks
>>>>>> <knome> so, what's the question?
>>>>>> <amjjawad> ubuntugnome.org [1] is hosted with Canonical AFAIK. I
>>>>>> can't even update WordPress, nor install any plug-in nor do
>>> anything
>>>>>> whatsoever.
>>>>>> <amjjawad> I can only create pages and add posts, that's all.
>>>>>> <knome> you can send requests via rt.ubuntu.com [2]
>>>>>> <knome> that's how canonical-hosted sites work
>>>>>> <amjjawad> For Xubuntu, do you guys host with them too?
>>>>>> <knome> yes
>>>>>> <amjjawad> website + ISOs too?
>>>>>> <knome> yes
>>>>>> <amjjawad> From your own experience, do you think it's a bad idea
>>> to
>>>>>> host somewhere else? should we stick with them?
>>>>>> <knome> there are benefits with both ways
>>>>>> * thc202 (~thc202 at unaffiliated/thc202) has joined #xubuntu-devel
>>>>>> * thc202 (~thc202 at unaffiliated/thc202) has left #xubuntu-devel
>>>>>> ("Leaving")
>>>>>> <knome> when you host with canonical, and have figured out a stable
>>>>>> environment, you don't have to deal with the maintaining overhead
>>>>>> yourself
>>>>>> <knome> and by stable environment i mean you know which
>>>>>> theme/plugins you want to use
>>>>>> <amjjawad> True. We're planning to replace the current website with
>>>>>> a better designed one. However, due to limited access, we're unable
>>>>>> to do that and I was wondering how to do it but now, you told I
>>> need
>>>>>> to contact rt.ubuntu.com [2]
>>>>>> <knome> rt.ubuntu.com [2] is where you can request canonical to
>>>>>> update the website files with new ones
>>>>>> <amjjawad> Someone mentioned they're so slow :( not sure if that's
>>>>>> true.
>>>>>> <amjjawad> I guess one way to find out is to actually send and see.
>>>>>> <knome> as i said, once you have figured out a stable environment,
>>>>>> it's ok
>>>>>> <amjjawad> Yes
>>>>>> <knome> our requests for theme updates are *usually* responded to
>>>>>> within 1-2 days
>>>>>> <knome> anyway, i would strongly suggest, regardless how you build
>>>>>> the theme, to maintain it in a bzr (or any other) repository so you
>>>>>> can ask the canonical IS to update to a certain revision
>>>>>> <knome> this also enables them to see a diff between the version
>>> you
>>>>>> are running now and the version you are requesting
>>>>>> <knome> this is important because all changes more or less go
>>>>>> through code review to make sure it's safe
>>>>>> <amjjawad> Indeed.
>>>>>> <amjjawad> Can I share this with my team?
>>>>>> <knome> this is a public channel - of course
>>>>>> <amjjawad> I know, just thought to double check :)
>>>>>> <amjjawad> Many thanks. If that will work for us, we're sticking
>>>>>> with them. If not, I have a decent web hosting service (a friend)
>>>>>> and he has been a great help and just given me some discount for
>>>>>> non-profit projects. We will see which option is best for us.
>>>>>> <knome> good luck
>>>>>> <amjjawad> To be honest, I love the design of Xubuntu. I wish I
>>>>>> could build something similar.
>>>>>> <amjjawad> Thank you knome appreciate your time :)
>>>> Nice. Go and give it a shot. If we're past the initial "struggle"
>>> with
>>>> this I am guessing keeping the hosting there would be the 'best'
>>> option,
>>>> still.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>> Greets,
>>>>>> Jasper
>>>>> On the other hand:
>>>>>
>>>>> Ah okay. Basically for you Ali, whatever package you choose I will
>>>>> give you it for the same price as the one below. Advanced, you will
>>>>> get same price as starter. Business you can have the same price as
>>>>> advanced and webmaster you can have for the same price as business.
>>>>>
>>>>> https://austenite.co.uk/
>>>>>
>>>>> I just got special discount from my friend.
>>>>>
>>>>> Here are our options. Let's choose wisely :)
>>>>>
>>>>> I know whenever money is involved, people run away. Think twice
>>> before
>>>>> you run away and by you, I mean all of you.
>>>>>
>>>>> When GNOME had problem:
>>>>> http://ubuntugnome.org/defend-gnome-campaign/
>>>>>
>>>>> Look how much they had:
>>>>> https://gnome.org/groupon/
>>>>>
>>>>>> THIS MATTER IS RESOLVED! Thank you for all the support that you
>>> have
>>>>>> given us! The response to this campaign was overwhelming, with 5622
>>>>>> individuals contributing USD 102,608.76 to help the GNOME
>>> Foundation
>>>>>> defend its trademark.
>>>>> Why donating 1USD for Ubuntu GNOME is a HUGE issue and bad
>>> nightmare?!
>>>> To be fair, if you try and download the plain Ubuntu you first see a
>>>> "paywall" (you can choose to just download instead of paying if you
>>>> prefer). Maybe that page/principle is usable for UG as well?
>>>>> Again, if I have income, I'd take care of the whole thing myself :)
>>>>>
>>>>> Sadly, I don't and therefore, we need to work as one team.
>>>>>
>>>> We do have options :) I'll get on IRC sometime soon to follow the
>>>> discussions a bit more (Want to be more involved in this project, so
>>> if
>>>> you have any suggestions :))
>>>>> At least, this is what I think ...
>>>>>
>>>>>> On 02-01-16 20 [3]:36, Narcis Garcia wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I agree with Jasper that first step is to reach same hosting
>>>>>> facilities
>>>>>> as other projects in Canonical hosting (as Lubuntu/Xubuntu/Kubuntu
>>>>>> do).
>>>>>> If this really fails, next getting some of our 2 free-cost flexible
>>>>>> offers (Jasper and mine).
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I can host those resources you are asking for, with no money (at
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> only cost of mention at some marginal credits).
>>>>>>
>>>>>> El 02/01/16 a les 13:40, Jasper Backer ha escrit:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Hello,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> First: I've not yet been socially active on here I believe. Guess
>>> it
>>>>>> should be time to say "Hi" :)
>>>>>> If there's a place where I should shortly introduce myself, let me
>>>>>> know.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Now reading this.. Isn't it better to get the current
>>>>>> hosting-related
>>>>>> issues sorted out? I believe taking the hosting away from Canonical
>>>>>> is a
>>>>>> bad step. Find out who's in charge, if we *really* are restricted
>>> to
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> current platform as-is, etc.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Lubuntu/Xubuntu/Kubuntu all have decent websites and are all on the
>>>>>> same
>>>>>> platform. It shouldn't be impossible for us to have a proper
>>>>>> website. If
>>>>>> we are taking it away however, I am guessing having a proper VM/VPS
>>>>>> somewhere is best.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> If it helps, on my private dedicated server I can setup an account
>>>>>> with
>>>>>> full FTP/SQL/etc access for the Ubuntu Gnome project to develop the
>>>>>> new
>>>>>> website on. Do we have DNS control of the domain?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I'll even provide a VM with separate IP for the project if needed,
>>>>>> on my
>>>>>> server (for whatever purpose we need it, including hosting the
>>>>>> website
>>>>>> if we are going that route). I have enough resources (mem/disk)
>>>>>> available and I rely on that server myself as well, so rest assured
>>>>>> that
>>>>>> it's being taken care of properly :)
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Greets,
>>>>>> Jasper
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On 02-01-16 13 [4]:02, Ali/amjjawad wrote:
>>>>>> Hi,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thank you for your email :)
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Sat, Jan 2, 2016 at 10:15 PM, Narcis Garcia
>>>>>>
>>>>>> <<mailto:informatica at actiu.net>informatica at actiu.net> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Can you remember to others?:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> 1. What are the "conflicting" Canonical limitations in current
>>>>>> server
>>>>>> 2. What are the proposals to overcome those limitations in new
>>>>>> server
>>>>>>
>>>>>> It's 22:55 here and I'm heading to bed. So, I'll make it as short
>>> as
>>>>>> possible.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> With the current server, I can't even change the theme nor update
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> platform (WordPress) nor can install any plug-in ... only Canonical
>>>>>> people can do that AFAIK. So to change the website (design wise),
>>>>>> I'm
>>>>>> not even sure what's involved? who is in charge? etc ...
>>>>>>
>>>>>> With a new server, we shall have 100% freedom over our website. We
>>>>>> can
>>>>>> do whatever we like such us updating the website itself, updating
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> platform (wordpress), install/remove plug-ins and more ..
>>>>>>
>>>>>> We're many people around and if each one donates 1-2USD, that would
>>>>>> be
>>>>>> great ..
>>>>>>
>>>>>> It's our project, if we don't take care of it, who would?!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> El 02/01/16 a les 03:36, Ali/amjjawad ha escrit:
>>>>>>> Hi,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I believe the subject says it all. I personally can not
>>>>>> accept
>>>>>> nor wait
>>>>>>> any longer for Ubuntu GNOME to have a NEW Website (we've been
>>>>>> going back
>>>>>>> and forth for ages now) and to have a new website, we need a
>>>>>> new
>>>>>> server.
>>>>>>> https://austenite.co.uk/
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> This web hosting service is for a great friend of mine. His
>>>>>> name
>>>>>> is Kris
>>>>>>> and he lives in the UK. Doesn't really matter where he lives.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Most likely, we need the "Advanced Plan" for 'more' bandwidth
>>>>>> or
>>>>>> maybe
>>>>>>> more - not sure what kind of bandwidth do we currently have
>>>>>> for
>>>>>> where
>>>>>>> ubuntugnome.org [1] <http://ubuntugnome.org>
>>>>>> <<http://ubuntugnome.org>http://ubuntugnome.org> lives for
>>>>>> now.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Whatever plan we need, that obviously can't be done without
>>>>>> paying for that.
>>>>>>> If I do have an income, I'd be more than happy to pay for the
>>>>>> whole
>>>>>>> thing but sadly, I have no income as of now. Beside, we're a
>>>>>> community
>>>>>>> project and we all should work together in my humble opinion.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> We have been waiting for ages and it's getting very silly to
>>>>>> live with
>>>>>>> the current 'bad looking' website. I can NOT believe we need
>>>>>> years just
>>>>>>> to do one task, that's having a new website?!. Totally
>>>>>> non-sense
>>>>>> to me.
>>>>>>> Why we need our own server and not use Canonical's one?
>>>>>>> Simply because we shall have MORE freedom and choices.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Whether you agree or disagree with my idea, we do need a
>>>>>> website
>>>>>> to be
>>>>>>> up and running soon.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> If you agree, we need to donate. If each one of us donate
>>>>>> 1USD,
>>>>>> I'm sure
>>>>>>> we can cover the cost :)
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Looking forward for some serious useful feedback ;)
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> P.S.
>>>>>>> Why I recommended Kris? I have been dealing with him for some
>>>>>> years now
>>>>>>> and I can vouch for him. Never had one single issue with him.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> -- 
>>>>>>> Remember: "All of us are smarter than any one of us."
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Best Regards,
>>>>>>> Ali
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> -- 
>>>>>> Ubuntu-GNOME mailing list
>>>>>> Ubuntu-GNOME at lists.ubuntu.com
>>>>>> <mailto:Ubuntu-GNOME at lists.ubuntu.com>
>>>>>> Modify settings or unsubscribe at:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>> <https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-gnome>https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-gnome
>>>>>> -- 
>>>>>> Remember: "All of us are smarter than any one of us."
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Best Regards,
>>>>>> Ali/amjjawad <https://wiki.ubuntu.com/amjjawad>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> *<http://kibo.computer>http://kibo.computer* -
>>>>>> <http://torios.net>http://torios.net - Ubuntu GNOME
>>>>>> <http://ubuntugnome.org/>
>>>>> -- 
>>>>> Ubuntu-GNOME mailing list
>>>>> Ubuntu-GNOME at lists.ubuntu.com
>>>>> Modify settings or unsubscribe at:
>>>>> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-gnome
>>>>>
>>>>> -- 
>>>>>
>>>>> Remember: "All of us are smarter than any one of us."
>>>>>
>>>>> Best Regards,
>>>>>
>>>>> Ali/amjjawad [5]
>>>>>
>>>>> HTTP://KIBO.COMPUTER - http://torios.net - Ubuntu GNOME [6]
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Links:
>>>>> ------
>>>>> [1] http://ubuntugnome.org
>>>>> [2] http://rt.ubuntu.com
>>>>> [3] tel:02-01-16%2020
>>>>> [4] tel:02-01-16%2013
>>>>> [5] https://wiki.ubuntu.com/amjjawad
>>>>> [6] http://ubuntugnome.org/
>

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