22:03:04 #startmeeting 22:03:04 Meeting started Sun Apr 22 22:03:04 2012 UTC. The chair is unknown_lamer. Information about MeetBot at http://wiki.debian.org/MeetBot. 22:03:04 Useful Commands: #action #agreed #help #info #idea #link #topic. 22:03:09 #topic Roll Call 22:03:29 If you are an hcoop member in attendance, place enter "#info username" 22:03:32 #info clinton 22:03:35 #info ryan 22:03:36 #info bpt 22:03:39 #info nevetski 22:03:43 #info adamc 22:04:00 #info lauren 22:04:11 anyone else? 22:04:33 works for me 22:05:18 maybe an email to announce indicating the meeting has begun? 22:05:32 nevetski: it's alright, the important people are here. everyone had notice... 22:05:39 * nevetski shrugs 22:05:43 First order of business: electing officers 22:05:55 #topic Officer Election 22:06:27 Anyone volunteers for various board positions? 22:06:36 i volunteer to be secretary again 22:06:39 * nevetski volunteers for treasurer 22:07:06 Is there anything we should discuss, regarding logistics of getting someone set up with all treasurer access rights? 22:07:07 I guess I can volunteer to be the president again, despite being kind of bad at it 22:07:15 Smerdyakov: sure 22:07:20 that's the big thing up in the air now 22:07:49 I'm new to the board so I'm hesitant to volunteer for an officer position until I get used to how the whole thing works 22:08:11 * nevetski facetiously nominates laurenm as president 22:08:17 ha ha 22:08:26 nevetski, do you appreciate the extent to which the treasurer is responsible for regular grunt work? E.g., each payment is processed manually. 22:08:43 Smerdyakov: indeed so. It's a sleeves up job. 22:08:56 Smerdyakov: nevetski happens to be the most responsible person I know 22:09:02 'tho that could be saying things about my friends ;) 22:09:05 Duly noted. 22:09:06 * nevetski facepalsm 22:09:25 Smerdyakov: I also know where he lives and can threaten him with violence 22:09:26 good :-) 22:10:07 If everyone is satisfied with the lineup of bpt as secretary, steve as treasurer, and me as president I guess we can vote. 22:10:40 opposition? 22:11:08 no opposition here 22:11:20 Alright, board members: 22:11:21 i am in favor of any lineup that doesn't require me to be treasurer (; 22:11:46 #info vote: Bt Templeton to be elected to the position of treasurier 22:11:51 #info vote: Bt Templeton to be elected to the position of secretary 22:11:58 (oop) 22:12:09 respond with "#info +1" if you are in favor, -1 if not 22:12:12 #info +1 22:12:15 #info +1 22:12:17 #info +1 22:12:26 #info +1 22:12:39 #agreed Bt Templeton elected to the position of secretary 22:12:45 'grats, m. secretary 22:12:54 hurrah 22:13:01 #info vote: Steve Killen to be elected to the position of treasurer 22:13:04 bipt: keep them records up 22:13:07 #info +1 22:13:09 #info +1 22:13:14 #info +1 22:13:29 #info +1 22:13:38 #agreed Steve Killen elected to the position of treasurer 22:13:42 and lastly, 22:13:52 #info vote: Clinton Ebadi to be elected to the position of president 22:13:55 #info +1 22:13:56 I'll note, under duress ;) 22:13:59 #info +1 22:14:01 #info +1 22:14:14 #info +1 22:14:35 #agreed Clinton Ebadi elected to the position of president 22:14:46 ok! we're done the voting stuff 22:14:49 time for your triumph 22:14:58 I think I was supposed to enter the information on election results in the minutes 22:15:04 actually, I think that was bipt's task 22:15:15 bipt: can you grab the election results to note them in the minutes? 22:15:19 yes 22:15:32 in the meantime, we should probably talk about the treasurer transfer 22:15:39 #topic Transfer of Treasurer Duties (Again) 22:15:50 ok, here we go 22:16:10 Smerdyakov: thoughts, etc.? 22:16:25 ... 22:16:40 It would be ideal if wells fargo would accept original signatures and do this all by mail :-\ 22:16:46 what are the necessary & suff. conditions to gain payment authorization from the current bank? 22:16:57 A bank with no branches near the treasurer is less than ideal. 22:17:06 in the near term, getting nevetski access to the google checkout and paypal accounts, and portal stuff 22:17:07 I have two branches within walking distance. 22:17:07 nevetski, do you live near a Wells Fargo branch? 22:17:11 I've added him to the payment alias 22:17:34 hcoop jeopardy! 22:18:11 So it wouldn't be nuts to stay with WF. 22:18:22 in the short term, no 22:18:31 As I understand it, if we want to add him to the account, either Richard or I needs to meet him in person at a branch. 22:18:34 my intent is to investigate alternatives and provide a report 22:19:04 I look forward to hearing about the alternatives. 22:19:05 Smerdyakov: you're a massachusettser? 22:19:18 nevetski, yes. 22:19:24 I'd be really surprised if there is absolutely no alternative in doing this remotely. Might want to prod Wells Fargo a bit. 22:19:28 (aka massawhosian) 22:19:42 We can do pretty well with nevetski starting just taking over the non-bank-y parts. 22:19:51 But I'd want to see a clear trajectory toward getting everything switched over, ASAP. 22:19:58 I know the folks well at one branch; they might respond well to shmoozing 22:19:59 (Since I'd be on the line to deal with WF in the mean time.) 22:20:09 My bank, USAA, lets us mail in signature cards for account signatories, for example. 22:20:32 Smerdyakov: agreed. I will as after Tuesday, my last day of classes 22:20:37 *ask 22:21:19 OK, works for me. 22:21:20 nevetski: cool. Might need both signatures of nevetski and Smerdyakov on the same card if they allow it... so just a little bit of postage.. 22:21:28 fingers crossed... 22:22:06 * Smerdyakov retrieves darst's page on treasurer procedures. 22:22:35 #action nevetski will inquire about being added to the Wells Fargo account without having to travel to MA 22:22:50 Smerdyakov: I didn't see anything noting how to access the paypal / checkout accounts anywhere? 22:23:01 and I certainly don't have access to them 22:23:16 http://wiki.hcoop.net/TreasurerInstructions 22:23:26 Yes, that stuff is secured by obscurity. 22:23:49 What info does nevetski have to give you to gain access? 22:23:53 I'll do the portal stuff now 22:24:22 He will create a Google account for HCoop stuff, and I'll authorize it for Checkout. 22:24:30 And I think I have to create a PayPal subaccount. 22:24:31 Smerdyakov: I can set up a GPG key, or we can do it by phone 22:25:08 nevetski: afs can be used to easily communicate information between members, securely ;) 22:25:15 fair point. 22:25:39 #action nevetski and Smerdyakov will join forces to grant nevetski access to the paypal and checkout accounts 22:26:01 I think I have all the latest information on payments and bills in the portal. 22:26:12 #action nevetski will create a Google account for HCoop stuff, & Smerdyakov 'll authorize it for Checkout. 22:26:17 I even sent out one reminder to folks with low balances. 22:26:26 Smerdyakov: thanks 22:26:31 However, I haven't taken any action to freeze or nuke accounts, since I stopped being the official treasurer. 22:26:32 darst disappearing was ... not expected 22:26:38 Ideally, nevetski would get going on that ASAP. 22:26:51 I can help him with that 22:26:56 Probably with another round of warnings first. 22:26:58 What's up with darst disappearing? 22:27:11 #action unknown_lamer will assist nevetski will booting deletion worthy accounts 22:27:20 laurenm: we have no idea, he's resisting all communication from us :( 22:27:23 Smerdyakov: roger that; after Tuesday I will have swallowed my lump of hot iron for the semester 22:27:28 laurenm, i don't think anyone knows, but he hasn't responded to multiple messages to his personal and academic email addresses 22:27:45 can we ask him to resign so we can replace him with someone who will participate? 22:28:07 laurenm, if we can get in touch with him. 22:28:14 laurenm: the bylaws are broken and don't allow that to work unfortunately 22:28:17 I don't think anyone has yet tried calling him on the phone; right? 22:28:20 one of the first tasks I want to complete is revising that! 22:28:23 Smerdyakov: not yet 22:28:24 Smerdyakov, correct 22:28:42 before we go to that ... let's resolve the immediate treasurer concerns 22:28:43 * nevetski volunteers to call darst's office 22:28:58 sorry, that tangent might have been my fault 22:29:13 laurenm: it's ok, I'm adding a new agenda item so we can note steve's willingness to call rkd later 22:30:04 what I see now with the treasurer stuff is ... nevetski will take over payment processing ASAP 22:30:23 Smerdyakov: can you walk nevetski through processing a payment if he needs assistance? 22:30:29 unknown_lamer, yes. 22:30:32 thanks 22:30:37 Instructions are pretty good on that page, though. 22:30:40 the treasurer instructions appear reasonably complete 22:30:56 the big hole I see is info on reimbursing members for expenses 22:31:05 I eyeballed them and they do appear to be straightforward 22:31:13 and the new member bits, but I can do that 22:31:16 but I won't hesitate to flail if needed 22:31:27 #action unknown_lamer will grant nevetski the needed permissions to create new members 22:31:28 unknown_lamer, you can reimburse as a payment with a negative dollar amount. 22:31:41 Or, sorry. 22:31:43 That would be charging someone. 22:31:50 Simple positive amount does it. :) 22:31:55 awesome 22:32:06 Ok, I think the immediate treasurer concerns are resolved then? 22:32:13 election results time? 22:32:22 the reimbursement issue is somewhat of an issue; as I have no income currently, it is non-trivial for me to pay for things to be reimbursed. the card setup will take care of that aspect? 22:32:29 nevetski: yes 22:32:50 ok, I'll hop right on that then :-D 22:32:57 I also don't see us buying hardware or anything in the near future 22:33:30 I can PayPal you money if needed for small to medium expenses, and I'm sure we have others willing to do the same, before you have a card. 22:33:33 but bipt paid incorp $99 so that has to be reimbursed &c soon 22:34:04 Last call for treasurer commentary at this meeting 22:34:15 #action nevetski will reimburse bpt $99 post-haste 22:34:34 nevetski: bipt should email the board first so there's documentation 22:34:40 * nevetski nods 22:34:41 but, hooray! 22:34:47 There is still likely something going wrong with money record-keeping, since different balance calculations never add up. 22:34:56 #action bpt will update the treasurer page with instructions for Incorp payments 22:34:59 Some effective attention to that would be great, but no one else has ever done it. 22:35:08 (terrible things happen if you just send them money not directly in response to an invoice) 22:35:13 Smerdyakov: oi, I think that's something wec an work on this year 22:35:29 I think we're going to end up having to take a lump reconciliation hit ... I don't see how we can square up so many years of records 22:35:45 unknown_lamer, we did that before, not too long ago. 22:35:51 ack 22:36:20 well, something to keep in mind once nevetski has access to the WF account and can actually do something :) 22:37:32 #action unknown_lamer will follow up with Smerdyakov and nevetski later this week to ensure the initial treasurer duty transfers happens smoothly this time around 22:37:40 I think that's enough for now... 22:37:46 #topic election results 22:37:49 board! 22:38:04 *phew* 22:38:19 bipt: I command you to enter the election results into the public record 22:38:22 #info 34 members voted in the 2012 election 22:38:31 #info Clinton Ebadi received 31 votes 22:38:36 what was quorum btw 22:38:43 #info Steve Killen received 26 votes 22:38:48 #info Lauren McNees received 26 votes 22:38:54 unknown_lamer, dunno, 21 or so? 22:39:05 bipt: hey, I'm asking you 22:39:16 unknown_lamer, where is an up-to-date member list? 22:39:24 * nevetski wonders whether 5 members simply didn't vote for newbies or didn't realize they needed to shift-click 22:39:41 #info "None of the above" received 2 votes 22:39:44 hrm, I always forget where to find the list of all active members 22:39:49 paying group on the portal I think 22:39:56 i think the finance page may be the only way 22:40:14 #info Clinton Ebadi has been elected into Class 2 and will serve a two-year term 22:40:21 This page will be right if you've kept the proper cron job going: http://hcoop.net/dyn/members.html 22:40:27 It says 112 total. 22:40:44 #info Steve Killen and Lauren McNees tied, and a runoff election is in progress to determine their term lengths 22:41:13 #info quorum was 23 votes 22:41:18 so we reached it, luckily 22:41:19 #info Adam Chlipala and Ryan Mikulovsky completed their terms and did not run for reelection 22:41:32 * nevetski compares his quantum term length to laurenm's 22:41:39 #info Richard Darst and Bt Templeton will remain on the board for another year 22:41:56 Ok, seems good to e 22:42:01 now: 22:42:06 #topic The Search for rkd 22:42:20 I've tried emailing him, bipt's tried emailing him, Smerdyakov's tried emailing him... 22:42:29 I don't think rkd is dead ... he edited his wiki fairly recently 22:42:30 time for drastic measures 22:42:35 and we have emailed both of his apparently active email addresses 22:42:40 a phone call I guess is appropriate? 22:42:42 ...a phone call 22:42:51 http://rkd.zgib.net/contact.html 22:43:53 nevetski: do you volunteer to call him? 22:44:00 #action nevetski will call rkd assuming he can perform arbitrary precision math 22:44:13 I kind of want to know why he disappeared... if he has no time for the board he should have resigned 22:44:27 * nevetski is ok with diplomacy/tact 22:44:28 I'm also concerned that he fell ill or something 22:44:35 I guess that's all we can do really 22:44:36 has anyone asked him to resign? 22:44:47 laurenm: no, but he hasn't responded to *any* communication 22:45:14 It's not worth saying anything else about Darst. nevetski will call him, and we'll go from there. 22:45:19 basically 22:45:32 #topic scheduling the next meeting 22:45:34 He would have to have one hell of an excuse to change our (I presume) opinion that he shouldn't be in any position of responsibility. 22:45:56 I'd also like to suggest discussing the sysadmin situation. 22:46:04 Including physical access to the servers. 22:46:07 So, we have a lot of stuff to deal with (transferring the treasurer! revising the bylaws! possibly booting darst from the board) 22:46:23 I have something to say pertaining to Smerdyakov's proposal 22:46:25 Smerdyakov: ok, let's schedule the next board meeting real quick and then get into that 22:46:31 nevetski: sure 22:46:43 first meeting time 22:46:56 So, ... May 12 or 13th? 22:47:25 yes 22:47:28 I would prefer 13 22:47:43 i also prefer the 13th 22:47:49 +1 for the 13th 22:47:52 I expect I could make either. I'd rather stop committing to attend meetings, but it's not _too_ much of a hassle. 22:47:57 the 13th is mother's day, not sure how that influences people 22:48:08 I could make either, but don't forget to call your mom on mother's day! 22:48:17 unknown_lamer: social calendar in the clutch 22:48:43 well, if the 13th works ... does 22:00 work? If yes, I think we can call it agreed enough 22:48:50 Smerdyakov: my hope is to make it so you have just this last meeting to commit to 22:48:50 I'd like to be kept in the loop in case I decide I can run for board again. So I plan on attending all future meetings. 22:49:02 unknown_lamer: aye 22:49:02 hooray! 22:49:02 unknown_lamer, 22:00 UTC? 22:49:06 bipt: yes 22:50:31 +1 for 2012-05-13 22:00 UTC 22:50:40 Good for me 22:50:41 works for me 22:50:44 Is anyone else using the HCoop Google Calendar? 22:50:44 perfect! 22:50:49 Smerdyakov: not yet 22:50:52 #agreed the board plans to meet again May 13th 2012, 22:00 UTC 22:50:59 22:00 UTC was the starting time today, too? 22:51:02 actually, I may be subscribed to it (but I never use gmail) 22:51:04 Smerdyakov: yes 22:51:22 OK, meeting added to calendar. 22:51:25 thanks 22:51:37 Smerdyakov: I had not added that; guess i should 22:51:44 I guess ... did we want to do the sysadmin situation as part of the formal board meeting? 22:52:14 My life would collapse without some calendar software. 22:52:24 Google Calendar is pretty good, though I'd like to build my own some month soon. 22:52:37 Can we do the sysadmin conversation as the last item on the agenda? 22:52:49 if everyone wants to 22:53:04 I guess let's give it a shot 22:53:05 agreed, I have promises to keep 22:53:09 and miles to go, etc. 22:53:21 #topic Sysadmin and Physical access situation 22:53:31 The current situation is semi-ridiculous, even ignoring the physical access aspect. 22:53:34 #info We no longer have a member in contact with access to the colocation facility 22:53:46 It's just unknown_lamer and docelic doing sysadmin tasks, right? 22:53:53 mostly just me 22:54:00 Right; docelic increasingly unavailable. 22:54:04 docelic handles most of the day to day requests before I can get to them, luckily 22:54:10 But he still replies to things saying he doesn't have time to handle them. ;) 22:54:14 he also refuses to email any of the archived lists 22:54:39 IMO, at a minimum, HCoop needs 3 sysadmins with non-trivial time commitments. 22:54:46 Definitely 22:54:54 I am doing what I can, but what I can isn't enough clearly 22:55:06 * nevetski is currently only half time at grad school and jobless 22:55:07 I still think the use of distributed systems (e.g., AFS) is a horrible architectural mistake. 22:55:11 In the near term, I think we need to fix the physical access situation -- call for volunteers on the list 22:55:18 even with a job I should still have time to help 22:55:19 I think Justin Leitgeb is still around and has an access key 22:55:19 It adds significant admin effort. 22:55:33 Smerdyakov: actually, with what I've been doing lately, it has saved considerable effort 22:55:44 Maybe. I remain skeptical. :P 22:55:53 Smerdyakov: I have a machine that can be spun up from an installer preseed file (basically answers to debconf questions) and that can be used by any member NOW 22:56:06 only interaction is assigning it an IP address and hostname 22:56:22 It sounds like you're talking more about cloud computing than distributed computing. 22:56:31 I have done some sysadmin stuff at my alma mater, and can work with some delegation & minor supervision 22:56:44 s/minor/moderate/ 22:56:48 Smerdyakov: nah, mostly that we can add new nodes for services without a huge pain thanks to openafs/kerberos 22:57:11 Multiple nodes is nuts, given the scale of members' HCoop use. 22:57:28 Smerdyakov: my goal now is to get three VMs on fritz, one for apache, one for users to replace mire (daemons & shell access), and one to do exim &c 22:57:41 OK, I see no reason to continue this discussion. :) 22:57:45 now that, thanks to virtualization, having multiple 'machines' is cheap with automated installs 22:57:53 and then just have two boxes, each one redundant for the other... 22:57:56 I just wanted to point out that the sysadmin effort is not up to the challenge of keeping HCoop running. 22:58:00 oi 22:58:19 So I recommend that the board look into getting a set of 3 committed sysadmins. 22:58:25 Each willing to spend several hours per week on HCoop. 22:58:33 I think getting the mire replacement up is the key... we can then in good conscience promote hcoop and hopefully gain enough in the way of new members that volunteers will appear 22:58:49 *or* have the funds to contract part-time sysadmins 22:59:08 That would be a surprising development. 22:59:13 in the near term, however, I think I'll give a shot at getting new folks from the lists 22:59:20 A significant contingent among the members thinks of HCoop as primarily about rock-bottom prices. 22:59:27 Smerdyakov: with 250+ members, HCoop would have quite a bit of spare funds coming in monthyl 22:59:31 People are expensive. 22:59:39 Or, good ones are! 22:59:49 ten hours of a 1099ed sysadmin would be $500 at a reasonable market rate 22:59:59 (FWIW iPage is $4/mo according to a friend) 23:00:05 Wow. Sysadmins are cheap, I guess. 23:00:28 Cheaper than web developers. 23:00:32 nevetski: hcoop is *trying* to provide more than super rock bottom hosting services 23:00:49 Smerdyakov: sysadmin work pays less than programming 23:00:55 we should market that point when we try to recruit new members 23:01:06 about trying to provide more than cheap prices 23:01:14 Yes. You also get a hat. 23:01:16 #action unknown_lamer will inquire with peer1 how many access cards are out and who has them 23:01:19 and the 1099d contractor gets to figure out his/her own taxes, pay them, deal with alllll their own logistics. Spares HCoop much administrative work other than drawing up the contract and making sure it is adhered to. 23:01:27 from my limited experience.. 23:01:34 #action unknown_lamer will contact people with access cards to see if they are willing to do emergency data center visits 23:01:41 #action unknown_lamer will attempt to collect/revoke unused cards 23:01:57 #action unknown_lamer will place a call for admins on the discussion list in the slim hopes someone else can help 23:03:08 well, I think in the context of the board meeting there's no much else to discuss wrt sysadmins 23:03:29 Can we do an official vote on the domain renewal? 23:03:34 oh right 23:03:55 #info vote: unknown_lamer will renew hcoop.net and hcoop.org for one year ASAP 23:03:58 #info +1 23:04:15 #info +1 23:04:18 #info +1 23:04:19 #info +1 23:04:51 #agreed unknown_lamer will renew hcoop.net and hcoop.org ASAP 23:04:51 reckon I'll need to address reimbursement of that at some point 23:04:58 nevetski: yes, it'll be good practice! 23:05:07 ok, any more agenda items? 23:05:22 I have one idea... we haven't done a roll call in a while. Should we? 23:05:23 nil 23:05:42 just a call of the membership? 23:05:53 by roll call I mean the "email all hcoop members and force them to acknowledge that they are alive" 23:06:01 s/force/invitye/ 23:06:11 we're going to need to get universal attention when the mire replacement goes online 23:06:36 it wouldn't hurt. 23:06:47 sounds like an interesting social experiment 23:07:08 shall we take bets on how many respond? 23:07:16 put up big headers on the hcoop main page and wiki page to get the attention of members that aren't paying attention to their hcoop email or alt. addresses... 23:07:29 heh yes that would be an interesting result 23:07:33 just something to keep in mind, I'll follow up when I have a better idea of when there will be reason for everyone to pay attention 23:07:52 if that's everything important... I move to end the formal meeting part of the evening 23:08:05 are these meetings typically one hour? 23:08:09 seconded 23:08:14 laurenm: ideally a bit less 23:08:15 just want to know how much time to allow for next time 23:08:24 thanks 23:08:40 we've had a couple multiple-hour meetings, i think 23:08:42 but usually 45-60 minutes if we've discussed everything mostly before hand 23:08:49 and keep order 23:08:54 but it should be better with more frequent meetings 23:08:56 I usually mark off 2 hours. 23:10:52 The ferret king!! 23:11:57 ok then everyone 23:11:59 #endmeeting