RE: tlug: RE: Permanent System

[Totoro <riley@example.com>]

On 24-Oct-97 Craig Oda wrote:
>
>I would like to say my opinion.  I think it does matter where
>the server is located for three reasons: 1) Internet routing
>is not equal in Japan, especially concerning Sinet, 2) might
>be nice in the future to have a modem on the server to allow
>TLUG members without Internet access to access the server
>or to allow maximum point to point file downloads, 3) physical
>access to the server might be important for stuff like adding
>a tape backup, swapping a crashed disk, or changing a fan or
>something.


Probably reason #1 is the biggest problem at the moment, as
SINET is still pretty flaky. It varies a LOT during the day.
I could put a modem on it later, but then I doubt if people
want to pay the charges to dial up this far!

>I'm still optimistic about the long term goal of getting
>enough money through fund raising so that TLUG can rent
>bandwidth.  I think an interim solution, through the generous
>cooperation of someone with access to the academic network,
>is fine.  However, I was wondering if there was any way to
>test the bandwidth throughput through a large ftp download
>or something?  I tried the anonymous ftp on Stephen's server,
>but I guess he turned it off.  It took me a while to bring up
>the www.hi-tech.ac.jp home page.  Can I try it with an FTP?

I've put in 3 files if anyone wants to check the speeds. The
net connection here is 512Kbps, and I can get 50-55K downloads
at times from places like sunset.sut.ac.jp. Checking the TLUG
home page is always very slow for me, though, so anyone using
TWICS will probably see some lousy speeds through here. Anyhow,
you're welcome to try it and see what you think:

ftp://ozumo.clat.hi-tech.ac.jp/pub

The files vary from about 600K to 20M in size, so you can check
out your speeds on them.


>Though, considering the momentum we have at this point, it might
>be better to pursue the interim solution of first getting the
>server up anywhere on the Internet, then seeking to improve
>bandwidth or location.  If we take up another collection, we
>might be able to pay for the shipment of the server.  Also,
>since TLUG does have a bank account with financial records
>that can be verified, I think we're in a position to solicit
>donations that *are _not_ tax deductable*. 

Can we have a mailing address to send in donations? Sending in
some cash once in awhile is better than spending extra money to
use a furikomi-sho at the bank or using the postal envelopes (I
think they cost 1,000 yen or something like that).


>Just some of my thoughts.  I do find it fascinating and wonderful
>how people are volunteering time, equipment, and effort to 
>make Linux and TLUG better. 

One thing I'm wondering -- would people like to have some news
access? Academic sites tend to only feed the local stuff. I have
a commercial account from the states, and if I could figure out
suck and INN I could make something available to everyone, if
there's any interest. Granted, this wouldn't be alt.binary.* or
anything like that. Perhaps a TLUG newsgroup could be included,
too, to mirror the mailing list or something like that, on a 
local basis. Just a thought.


David

Hachinohe Institute of Technology
88-1, Myo, Ohbiraki
Hachinohe-shi Aomori-ken

http://w3.clat.hi-tech.ac.jp
Next TLUG meeting is Saturday Dec. 13, 1997  (possibly Nov. 13?)
---------------------------------------------------------------
a word from the sponsor:
TWICS - Japan's First Public-Access Internet System
www.twics.com  info@example.com  Tel:03-3351-5977  Fax:03-3353-6096