[HCoop-Discuss] Financial situation

[Adam Chlipala]

Michael Potter wrote:
> I have no idea what anyone is planning and can only guess based on
> their actions. Currently, I'd say that the service we're getting is
> professional quality, and it's doubtful paid admins would improve
> that. So why the push to expand until we can afford them?
>   

As Nathan already pointed out, we are not planning to hire paid staff 
any time soon.  I have a feeling this whole sub-thread is born of a 
confusion between wish list items and near-term goals that are 
influencing decisions or proposals for higher dues.  We will never hire 
staff if it isn't clear that the cost/benefit trade-off is worthwhile.

> If a system can be set up remotely, there's no reason why it can't
> be maintained the same way.
>   

We aren't able to set systems up remotely.  Nathan has made numerous 
visits to the colo facility to make the latest effort work.  It's 
essential to have in-person intervention to deal with hardware 
installation and maintenance.  Especially if we expand to providing our 
own dedicated server and colocation services to members, it quickly 
becomes clear that there is great benefit to having people stationed 
right next to the machines, as hardware failures would be frequent.  If 
this weren't clear, then our commercial competition wouldn't be doing it 
in almost all cases.