Re: list home decisions

[Alternative Photography <alternativephotography@gmail.com>]

Hi Gordon and all!
Gordon... sounds like you still want to list manage the list, which is great! You are the best man for the job! :-)
I use Bluehost, i'm not a "server person" and I have no idea what is needed to set up the list, so i have no idea if this is the best option, but they seem to have just about everything, and it's 7 dollars a month:
http://www.bluehost.com/tell_me_more.html
I think we should all donate on a voluntary basis, a reminder of donations could be sent with the regular subscribe/unsubscribe reminder.
This way the list could remain the same, apart from the dependency of an institution.
I'm happy to do what i can to send traffic to the list from AlternativePhotography.com.
All the best,
Malin

2009/11/13 Rajul <eyeear@shaw.ca>

Good to hear from you Gordon!

Paying a nominal amount (~ $10 or so; donations accepted with thanks) is a great idea to preserve our independence as a group and possibly refine the site to a higher level of sophistication, if this can be achieved.

With so many knowledgeable computing experts in the group, it should be possible to share the burdens of managing the site, so no one individual is swamped.

Rajul

On 13-Nov-09, at 9:21 AM, Gordon J. Holtslander wrote:

Hello Everyone

Thanks to all for their words of support - I'm humbled :) - spent yesterday helping out a fundraising charity I help every year ( I usually take a vacation day to do this - unnecessary this year) - we brought in over $150,000 - I do the computer stuff :)

Many list members have offered hosting solutions.  While I initially wanted to go with an academic instituion I no longer believe one of these will provide the long term stability we are after.  Unless an art-culture based institution steps forward and makes a long term committment - but even then - organizations change their priorities ...

I think the best long term solution is to host the list on a private hosting service.  There would be a cost involved eventually - a number of members have offered ( or have already) set up something.  Some members have access to hosting services at no cost - these can be used as well.  I don't want the list to be dependent upon the charity of an individual or organization in the long term.

Making this list survive in the long term will  involve spending money - not likely a significant amount - but some.  Independence cost money ....

I need to know whether list members would be willing to donate money to the costs of hosting this list on a private server.  I would not want to make joining the list contingent upon paying a fee - but some list members would have to donate some money.
Perhaps something as simple as an annual print draw - List members donate a few prints - list members ( or anyone for that matter) buy tickets.  The money from ticket sales funds the list hosting service.  Could provide us with the ability to host a more sophisticated service.

Rather than picking and choosing from free services we could have a good text mailing list and a web based service to upload images and datafiles without worry of censorship, copyright or interference from any other organization.  - but it would cost money and take a great deal of organization.

If something like this was set up the details of how and where the list is hosted could be managed by a few individuals - without having to worry about a panicked move from one charitable institution/individual to another.

If this is the case, the list could eventually if needed, form some sort of non-profit to insure its long-term survival.

It all depends on what value this community holds for itself.

If we don't want to pursue an independently self-funded organization/arrangement  I will move the list to one of the academic sites that seems to insure the longest service.

Your thoughts please

Gord

--
Gordon J. Holtslander
gjh@shaw.ca

-- 
*´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•*Malin Fabbri
Editor, AlternativePhotography.com
------------------------------------------------------------------
Get our free newsletter:
http://www.alternativephotography.com/newsletter.html
or become a fan of our Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/AlternativePhotographycom/91823023682
------------------------------------------------------------------