Re: [cobalt-users] anonymous ftp on raq 4I

["Steve Werby" <steve-lists@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

"Paul Jacobs" <paul@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> As for the cobalt boxes.... everything is passed through a database loaded
> on the box, and everything is referenced from it for all hosting
functions,
> so adding anything to the box for hosting needs to pass through the
> database??!.

I'm not clear what point you're trying to make.  Do you perceive the use of
a database as a problem?  On the later generation RaQs, the GUI does store
data in a database and that data in turn is used to update files that
programs like Sendmail and Apache rely on.  It's possible to administer a
RaQ server without touching the GUI or the database backend.  I do it all
the time.  I'm not trying to defend Cobalt, I'm just trying to understand
what your point is.

> the cobalt boxes are so proprietary as far as the OS config goes you
should
> call them a Packard bell (a hardware reference of a system that died out
> because it was so hard to program drivers for there hardware)

The RaQs run a modified version of Redhat.  Though there are some
differences, I don't find they are that big of a deal in general and an
experienced admin of Redhat boxes should have no problem quickly discovering
and accomodating for the differences.  If your complaint is that there is
little documentation for the code that makes up the GUI and that making
modifications and additions to the GUI is difficult, that's probably a fair
statement.  I'm not trying to defend Cobalt, but I believe the RaQs do a
good job at what they're intended to do.  Customers that need better
hardware, a more advanced GUI or a box that requires little *nix
administrative experience would be better suited to look at different
hardware, different control panel software and/or hire or contract out to a
server admin with the right experience.  Since I do server administration
and build management tools for clients I'm interested in the specific
problems you have with the RaQs if you're comfortable sharing them.

--
Steve Werby
President, Befriend Internet Services LLC
http://www.befriend.com/