Re: it's safe to run a web hosting server with the unstable distributions ?
Is there a good example of something in debian breaking a general
script/program server side?
On Mon, 10 Apr 2000, Phil Pennock wrote:
> Typing away merrily, John Haggerty produced the immortal words:
> > I think that would work quite well. Just make sure to upgrade the system
> > regularly. That will keep you abreast of all the problems and allow for a
> > nice system.
>
> Customers can complain quite loudly when something which used to work
> has suddenly stopped working because of an upgrade.
>
> How likely are your customers to have lawyers?
>
> Another approach is to go for something stable, specify perl versions
> with an embedded version number (watch out for the libperl linking) and
> put something in the customer contract about being allowed to make
> changes which break their scripts if there are security reasons for
> doing so - this allows you to patch your system or temporarily disable
> certain functionality.
>
> If you have, eg, /bin/perl5.005_03 etc within the customer-facing root
> and maintain those properly, you can introduce new versions and allow
> the customers to manage the migration themselves; if you want to be able
> to retire older versions which are broken, make sure that the customer
> is aware of this fact and that they agree to a time-limit for phasing
> out older versions (contracts time again).
>
> Of course, if you're dealing with smaller customers on a more informal
> basis, where they're more likely to rely on you for direct technical
> assistance with scripting and stuff, then you're much less likely to
> need to bother with this in contracts (IANAL, please don't not use a
> contract on the basis of this paragraph).
>
> Larger ISPs sometimes have customers who _seem_ hostile to the ISP and
> like to carp a lot, even with no real justification. Although when
> something which did work stops working and the customer starts losing
> revenue because of this, they do have a point. Try to make the customer
> environment as stable as possible if there's money involved in the
> websites.
>
> You could always have two types of web-service. One with a server which
> is stable in the way I describe, one which is a current OS, regularly
> upgraded and which has latest-and-greatest, but the customer assumes
> some responsibility for changing their scripts appropriately.
>
> All this IMnsHO. HAND.
> --
> HTML email - just say no --> Phil Pennock
> "We've got a patent on the conquering of a country through the use of force.
> We believe in world peace through extortionate license fees." -Bluemeat
>
>
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