Re: [cobalt-users] [Qube 2] Restore CD

[Kris Dahl <krislists@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>> Those costs are your reoccurring network costs.  I am talking about the
>> costs of actually running the machine.
> 
> Actually your not.  I think your talking about what it takes to provide
> excellent service and support and or maintain a high income site.  I have
> done similar in the past.  for example: Anybody want a central point option
> card new in the box?  I used the same thought process a long time ago so I
> could sleep knowing I had my big customer covered.  However I never needed
> the card (and other things) so in time those expenses became waste.  If my
> problems today in inode land didn't work out it would anly cost me very
> little to get another box up and running and I would be right back in
> bussiness (based on backups) withing a few hours and I think the things you

The expenses neccessary to prepare for disaster are never a waste regardless
of if you end up needing them.  Its a pay me now or pay me later situation.
You can pay a little bit and be prepared, or pay a lot when you're not.  I
am a professional, and run a tight ship... for those reasons I can not
afford to be ill prepared.

> discuss would be perfect for an isp or hosting company or a high income
> site. However for those that don't depend on the web for food shouldn't have
> these extra expenses ascociated with their box and should just be able to
> get the updates in package format and in a timely fashion with some

I guess I feel that there is only one way to run a information system.
Regardless of how much money you have, etc., there is just no room for a
shoddy implementation.  If someone is not able to spend the neccessary
money, perhaps outsourcing is the way to go.  There is always a solution.
You either do it right or don't do it at all... That's my story and I'm
sticking to it.

> notification as they don't have a clue anyway.  Like this aol guy that has
> been posting.  he needs to start with someone like you due to what appears
> to be low unix/hosting skills untill he gets enough experience which may
> never happen with you doing everything.  huh I like that idea?

Its a good point.  But you can learn a lot by starting out small, helping
out an experienced SE.  That's how I learned Linux admin.  My old biz
partner ran the server, but I was the webmaster.  So I would help administer
Apache, etc., and let him to the hard stuff.  I started doing more and more
on my own.  Eventually I started administering my own production servers and
the rest is history.

> Now we have talked about the var thing in the past on a few occasions and if
> it helps I will conseed that a var can be a great thing but in no way do I
> want to diminsh the fact that the manufacturer should provide the same if
> not better support at list price.  if not, I don't know if I would be a var
> for that manufacturer very long.

I just don't think that support costs are included in the price of a system.
I still stand by the premise that support costs usually eclipse the price of
a system.  So for me it is foolish to assume that they will foot that bill.
Unless you're buying a Sun or something and you know they've got some good
margin :).  Actually Cobalt leads the industry in margin right now.

Cobalt provides pretty decent support for their resellers.  We never had a
beef.  And we had priority tickets we could use.  And we could always pay
for priority service if need be, but we never had to.

> Ah the restraunt stuff?  it is my understanding that they get industrial
> grade i.e. restraunt grade equipment mainly do to size and workload.  A
> friends place burns through a micro every year because he dosen't want to
> invest in an industrial version and cash flow is bad in restraunt land.

See, I would rather not be in any biz if I'm not going to go all out. I'm
not saying that is what everyone should do, but it is definitely my outlook
on work, life, etc.

-k