Fellowship Shell Server

[Michael Clemens]

Dear fellows,

I think it would be nice to have our own multi user unix system that
provides shell accounts and maybe additional services to us. Every
fellow could have his/her own shell account and access to the following
programs:

* IRC clients (e.g. irssi)
* jabber clients (e.g. mcabber)
* mail clients (e.g. mutt, pine)
* compilers (gcc etc.)
* screen/tmux
* git

Additional services could be:

* OpenVPN service, so fellows can encrypt their connection when they
are on the road
* web site hosting
* databases (MySQL, postgresql etc.)
* SSH tunneling
* File storage

In order to start this project, the following two conditions have to be
fullfilled:

* Enough fellows have to show interest in such a system
* Besides me, I would need two other fellows with skills in Linux/Unix
administration
(and maybe in IT security) who will take care of the system

If this will be the case, I would suggest the following procedure:

* I would rent a single server system and an additional FTP account as
backup space
* We (the 3 admins) would build up a system with some basic services,
harden it and
develop/implement scripts for the automation of administrative tasks
like account
creation etc.
* We and some some volunteer beta testers would play around with it
* The FSFE would take over the server and its rent
* The system would be open for all of us
* Additional services could be added

What do you think?

Cheers,
Michael

[ubsy]

Hi Michael,

Post by Michael Clemens
* IRC clients (e.g. irssi)
* jabber clients (e.g. mcabber)
* mail clients (e.g. mutt, pine)
* compilers (gcc etc.)
* screen/tmux
* git

I think everybody is running these services already at a home or remote
machine. So there is no real need to provide these. But they fit into a
nice scheme. And it would be a shame to offer such a shell server
without them.

Post by Michael Clemens
* OpenVPN service, so fellows can encrypt their connection when they are
on the road
* web site hosting
* databases (MySQL, postgresql etc.)
* SSH tunneling
* File storage

Seems like a very nice playground.

Post by Michael Clemens
* Enough fellows have to show interest in such a system

Well; I'm not a fellow yet. But I like the idea in general. Perhaps with
optional running additional custom compiled services?

Post by Michael Clemens
* Besides me, I would need two other fellows with skills in Linux/Unix
administration

I'm not a security specialist. But I would like to help out. I have
basic knowledge of Linux admininstration.

So if there is anything going on, feel free to contact me.


Regards,

Phil

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[Marjan la Grand]

Hi Michael and other fellows,

It would be a nice initiative, I think it would be nice if IRC and
jabber are provided. I must say I have my own server for the other
things you mention, but I would certainly be interested if more people
are expressing their need for this service.
I am a linux/unix administrator and also have some experience in
security, so if you decide to rent this server, I would be willing to
help out with building it and administering.

Regards,

Marjan

Post by Michael Clemens
Dear fellows,
I think it would be nice to have our own multi user unix system that
provides shell accounts and maybe additional services to us. Every
fellow could have his/her own shell account and access to the following
* IRC clients (e.g. irssi)
* jabber clients (e.g. mcabber)
* mail clients (e.g. mutt, pine)
* compilers (gcc etc.)
* screen/tmux
* git
* OpenVPN service, so fellows can encrypt their connection when they
are on the road
* web site hosting
* databases (MySQL, postgresql etc.)
* SSH tunneling
* File storage
In order to start this project, the following two conditions have to
* Enough fellows have to show interest in such a system
* Besides me, I would need two other fellows with skills in Linux/Unix
administration
(and maybe in IT security) who will take care of the system
* I would rent a single server system and an additional FTP account as
backup space
* We (the 3 admins) would build up a system with some basic services,
harden it and
develop/implement scripts for the automation of administrative tasks
like account
creation etc.
* We and some some volunteer beta testers would play around with it
* The FSFE would take over the server and its rent
* The system would be open for all of us
* Additional services could be added
What do you think?
Cheers,
Michael
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Discussion mailing list
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https://mail.fsfeurope.org/mailman/listinfo/discussion

[Vicen Rodriguez]

Hi Michael,

It sounds great.
Unfortunately, I think that I have not enough knowledge on systems
administration to assist in the implementation and/or support.

Best regards

Vicen

Post by Michael Clemens
Dear fellows,
I think it would be nice to have our own multi user unix system that
provides shell accounts and maybe additional services to us. Every
fellow could have his/her own shell account and access to the following
* IRC clients (e.g. irssi)
* jabber clients (e.g. mcabber)
* mail clients (e.g. mutt, pine)
* compilers (gcc etc.)
* screen/tmux
* git
* OpenVPN service, so fellows can encrypt their connection when they
are on the road
* web site hosting
* databases (MySQL, postgresql etc.)
* SSH tunneling
* File storage
In order to start this project, the following two conditions have to be
* Enough fellows have to show interest in such a system
* Besides me, I would need two other fellows with skills in Linux/Unix
administration
(and maybe in IT security) who will take care of the system
* I would rent a single server system and an additional FTP account as
backup space
* We (the 3 admins) would build up a system with some basic services,
harden it and
develop/implement scripts for the automation of administrative tasks
like account
creation etc.
* We and some some volunteer beta testers would play around with it
* The FSFE would take over the server and its rent
* The system would be open for all of us
* Additional services could be added
What do you think?
Cheers,
Michael
_______________________________________________
Discussion mailing list
Discussion at fsfeurope.org
https://mail.fsfeurope.org/mailman/listinfo/discussion

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[Heiki &quot;Repentinus&quot; Ojasild]

Hey,

Post by Michael Clemens
Dear fellows,
I think it would be nice to have our own multi user unix system that
provides shell accounts and maybe additional services to us. Every
fellow could have his/her own shell account and access to the following

Personally I do not see much value in this ?? most Fellows have the
necessary clients installed anyway. Being behind a restrictive
firewall might be concern for some (IRC), but git and our Jabber
server can operate over HTTPS ports and e-mail ain't generally a
concern. Providing compilers would be even more of a hassle: if lot of
people decided to start using the server for compiling, we would need
quite a server park.

Post by Michael Clemens
* OpenVPN service, so fellows can encrypt their connection when they are on
the road

The most reasonable one. However, bandwidth could be a concern.

Post by Michael Clemens
* web site hosting
* databases (MySQL, postgresql etc.)
* SSH tunneling
* File storage

If we want a service that would not have restrictive quotas, the costs
are likely to be high.

Post by Michael Clemens
* Besides me, I would need two other fellows with skills in Linux/Unix
administration
(and maybe in IT security) who will take care of the system

Should you decide to proceed, I have nothing against GNU administration.

Post by Michael Clemens
* The FSFE would take over the server and its rent

Have you proposed this to Fellowship (Deputy) Coordinators or GA members?


Cheers,

[Timo Juhani Lindfors]

Post by Michael Clemens
I think it would be nice to have our own multi user unix system that
provides shell accounts and maybe additional services to us. Every
fellow could have his/her own shell account and access to the following
* IRC clients (e.g. irssi)
* jabber clients (e.g. mcabber)
* mail clients (e.g. mutt, pine)
* compilers (gcc etc.)
* screen/tmux
* git
* OpenVPN service, so fellows can encrypt their connection when they
are on the road
* web site hosting
* databases (MySQL, postgresql etc.)
* SSH tunneling
* File storage

There are plenty of providers that already offer cheap shell accounts or
complete virtual machines. I'm really not sure why FSFE should start
offering these.

[Martin Gollowitzer]

* Timo Juhani Lindfors <timo.lindfors at iki.fi> [130313 23:41,

Post by Timo Juhani Lindfors
There are plenty of providers that already offer cheap shell accounts or
complete virtual machines. I'm really not sure why FSFE should start
offering these.

I fully agree. FSFE should concentrate on its core mission. Investing
money and time (both of which are are highly limited within FSFE) into
services that are available elsewhere at low prices would take up
capacities from duties that are probably more important. Despite that,
legal risks must also be taken into account in this discussion.

Just my ?0,02

Martin
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