[NTLUG:Announce] URGENT - ntlug.org needs a new home!

[announce@ntlug.org]

Well folks.... we are on the run again!  We have enjoyed a 3 year
stay with theplanet.com, but they are booting us out (sort of now btw).
Please don't attack them.. they are a business and we're
getting the boot strictly because we had a free ride.

I don't have a good feel for how long we have until ntlug.org
goes dark.

With that said, we're looking for free colo.  We have a small
server (we currently have a 4U Mid Tower... but we're wanting
to substitute a 1U we have) and we don't chew up much bandwidth (negligible).

Below is the letter we would encourage you to use if you
are requesting help from your employer or other service
provider.

Now.. we already know about all of the thousands of
lovely people that will just host a website for us "cheap"...
That can be handled very easily... so we're not looking
for that right now.

We're looking for a place to co-locate the 4U (or 1U if that's
a requirement) ntlug.org server and run fairly unrestricted services
from the host (though we will certainly entertain restrictions if not
too restricted).

So... this is an emergency... everyone be on the lookout
for someone willing to set us up.

We do have a list of "potentials" that we're persuing... we'll keep you
posted.

Letter follows...



Dear sir/ma am,

This letter is to humbly request assistance in the future collocation needs
for the North Texas Linux Users Group (NTLUG) normally located at
www.ntlug.org.

The North Texas Linux Users Group, Inc. is a not for profit educational
corporation whose purpose is (an excerpt from our articles of
incorporation):

"The purpose of the Corporation shall be educating the public about computers,
computing devices and software systems, including both application and
operating systems; the theory, operation and maintenance of computers,
computing devices and software systems in general; and particularly the
computer operating system known as Linux. "

Just as Linux is free, NTLUG does not currently assess dues. We maintain a
modest balance sheet strictly used for the fulfilling of the purpose
described above.

What we are looking for is a service provider that is willing to handle our
current needs.

1. Our current monthly bandwidth peaks at 7G, but in general
    falls in the 2G - 4G range.

2. We require the ability to remotely administrate the platform
    through a secure shell (ssh, port 22).

3. We run the following services that require external visibility
    from the internet:  http/https (80/443), nttp/nttps (119/563),
    rsync (873) and smtp (25).

4. We desire a host that can communicate via voice rather than just
    email.  We believe that person-to-person voice contact can
    help avoid communication issues that happen so often with
    just email.

5. If possible, we would love to feel relatively secure about
    longevity of any host offer.  That is, how long can NTLUG, Inc.
    expect to keep our collocation service at your site?

6. We need to know where our collocated server will be located.

We have an existing 1U server that we will be putting into service at any
future provider. Due to the volunteer nature of our group and the short time
fuse associated with this need, it might be necessary to temporarily
collocate the ~4U platform we have at our current provider as well.

The hosting provider will get recognition on our website (see the right hand
column of company images at http://www.ntlug.org for an indication of the
type of recognition) and via the mail list.

NTLUG has ~1,000 claiming membership world wide.

We would love for you to offer to provide collocation services to NTLUG, Inc.