future security plans Hunter, 1/26/04 [more]

Who-ah. I don't think I have time to go into this in full, so make sure to keep an eye on this page for updates. We've got two areas to work on: the maintenance of the server and the coordination of our members.

It's easy to talk about maintenance. Basically there are a set of programs that need to be kept up to date, and a series of reports that need to be regularly monitored. A few further things need to be set up on the server, and I'll set that list here when I have a free minute to do so.

Getting maintenance done, and keeping a system safe, is the most important task, and it also what involves the careful coordination of both regular members and administrators. Sadly I don't have time to flush out this discussion now, nor am I the only person who deserves a word to say on it. But for the moment, a few suggestions may be worth considering:

all users should register in the membership database. Along with this, we should regularly check to make sure which accounts are still active.

both the main and secondary Artifex system administrators should work more closely with each other. It would be nice to have a clear division of labor, and involve more of the folks interested in learning. We have a number of servers now, so there's no reason not to put them to good use.

a better forum for talk and web hosting among Artifex members. We've been slow to set up the software needed to provide some kind of web-based messaging or publishing system, but it's now time for it. Running the Artifex ought to be a group effort. As many of us should be involved with it as we can, with technical know-how, helpful suggestions, administrative expertise, creative work, and even the occasional financial donation.

That's all for now. If there are things you'd like to add or edit to this page, write back. We'll have a system to do this all through the web one day, just not yet.

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