[IndiChix] An Open request to LinuxChix-India

[Sriram Narayanan]

On Mon, Jan 5, 2009 at 11:23 AM, Gayathri Swaminathan
<gayathri.swa at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> On Sun, Jan 4, 2009 at 11:37 PM, Sriram Narayanan <sriramnrn at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>>
>> >
>> > Here is the page from linuxchix.org that suggests about the subdomain -
>> > http://www.linuxchix.org/letting-us-know.html
>> >
>> > It is stated optional in this page however have seen chapters to do the
>> > following under normal circumstances:
>> >
>> > a) Form the chapter, post announcement to announce at linuxchix.org
>> > b) Identify the advisory/ technical leads for chapter to conduct various
>> > activities
>> > c) Pass live feeds from chapter to http://www.linuxchix.org/live
>> >
>>
>> Thanks for the pointer. Even though this seems optional, I think it's
>> a good thing to have in place.
>>
>> > I think forming this advisory / administrative group and identifying
>> > members
>> > is primary task at hand. After which the domain ownership/contacts can
>> > be
>> > narrowed further. In any case Swati Sani is the current domain owner.
>> > Formal
>> > procedures must be followed as in purchase of domain. We can't simply
>> > request Swati to hand it off to this group.
>> >
>>
>> I see a difference of opinion here. I myself feel that forming groups
>> is a good thing. I have far felt and will continue to feel that the
>> forming of groups is distinct from the issue of domain ownership.
>>
>> Given the various points raised about her so far, and in the interests
>> of having a valid domain for the group, I feel we actually can
>> politely ask her if she's OK with handing over domain name ownership
>> to active list members, and of course state there that list members
>> would be OK with reimbursing her for the costs. Speaking for myself, I
>> may have not mentioned costs so far, but I am aware that it would have
>> cost her money, and that we should be reimbursing her for these costs.
>>
>> Simply being a domain name owner is not the same as being an active list
>> member.
>>
>> > Also note the central LinuxChix group is happy to forward requests to
>> > subdomain http://<chaptername>.linuxchix.org, which means finding
>> > hosting/
>> > supporting chapter's infrastructure is the chapter's responsibility.
>> > Seems
>> > fair and well structured to me.
>> >
>>
>> I do not know the specifics of which server is actually hosting this
>> instance. Issuing a redirect, which is what I've mentioned, is
>> fortunately easy enough with Apache. We can have the same Apache
>> instance respond to both the domain names using Virtual Hosting, and
>> need only mention a redirect in the linuxchix.org.in VirtualHost
>> redirecting to the india.linuxchix.org domain (hosted on the same
>> machine and perhaps in the same config file).
>>
>> Hence, all the existing infrastructure can indeed remain in place.
>>
>> Seems fair and structured to me too, which is why I've mentioned
>> anything about it at all so far.
>>
>> > I did not start this separate thread with intent on forking
>> > conversations.
>> > Wanted to see if we all collectively agree on forming the "advisory" and
>> > "administrative" groups prior to making further decisions to our
>> > infrastructure. Think identifying these groups/ narrowing down roles
>> > will
>> > help us to conduct discussions in a structured manner.
>> >
>>
>> I'm glad that discussions are taking place.
>>
>> Let me clarify that when I mentioned the word "fork" on this thread,
>> I'd done so on a response to my own response where I'd also stated
>> that I'm overquoting. I have not alleged anything at you at all, and
>> am overall fine with the discussion so far.
>>
>> Just to let you know, I find the discussion here formal enough, and
>> only request that if you feel I am levelling any allegations at you,
>> then please state as much on the mail and I'll gladly clarify. We have
>> both not interacted much before, and I'm aware that it'll be some time
>> before we start to understand each other better.
>>
>
> No problem Sriram, not taking it personally at all. Glad here as well, that
> we are discussing this in a procedural manner. I
>
> Seems like we both agree on the formations of the two groups but differ on
> how this domain ownership issue must be handled.
>
> I see you are suggesting:
>
> option 1: that either Swati transfer the domain to indichix at linuxchix.org
> (or)
> option 2: have Hassath/other administrators contact with formal letter for
> transfer.
>
> If I have to agree with either one of those options it would be option 2.

My own +1 to option 2, and I have just sent out a draft mail for this
very purpose to move forward things. Please read and review that.

>
> Think I was tying formation of the groups prior to resolving any issues
> related to this chapter., but don't see why not per your suggestion treat
> them as separate issues.
>
Thanks.

Related responses below.

> Most certainly agree we should resolve this issue so we can move on. Sitting
> this further only delays discussions and recurs year after year.
>

Which is why I feel that we best deal with the matter asap. I
completely see the merits of having a proper group who can lend their
names to various community-impacting decisions. I propose that at
least for this topic, we learn once and for all just what's going to
happen with the domain name.

> Personally I think Swati disassociated from this list due to the flaming/
> bitterness of environment. She is currently unsubscribed which explains why
> she has not responded.
>

This is unfortunate indeed. The thing to ensure in the future is that
if someone on the list is taking potshots at another, the remaining
members of the list should intervene and ensure

> Forming any non-profit volunteer run organization is not an easy matter.
> Everyone year, spends "their" time towards every task oriented for this
> community. That given it is hard to brush off personal remarks,
> personalities only enlarging small tasks at hand. This group worked
> perfectly like clock work when it was a "small" bunch, but we are "growing".
> We need more structure.
>

In case self-policing does not work, then having a group that is
finally responsible for technical administration and overall direction
while adhering to the linuxchix philisophies may help.  Such a group
can indeed exist without interfering with day to day activities that
community members may want to indulge in.

Having no governing group is ideal, ofcourse.

> Thanks for actively participating and conveying your inputs.

:)

> --
> Gayathri Swaminathan
> gpgkey: 3EFB3D39
> Volunteer, FDP
>
> _______________________________________________
> IndiChix mailing list
> IndiChix at linuxchix.org
> http://mailman.linuxchix.org/mailman/listinfo/indichix
>
>