Re: Discontinuing data.guix.gnu.org?

[Maxim Cournoyer]

Hi,

Ludovic Courtès <ludo@gnu.org> writes:

> Hello Christopher,
>
> Christopher Baines <mail@cbaines.net> skribis:
>
>> Ludovic Courtès <ludo@gnu.org> writes:
>
> [...]
>
>>> Christopher Baines <mail@cbaines.net> skribis:
>>>
>>>> As previously set out, I'm planning to stop hosting the data service
>>>> instances this year. While I would like to stop hosting the server for
>>>> data.guix.gnu.org,
>>>
>>> I forgot the outcome of previous discussions, but it seems to me that
>>> the service itself and all the data it accumulated over the years are
>>> super valuable.  I would be sad to see it go!
>>
>> There was a discussion back in April, but no action came directly from
>> it.
>>
>> Just having data.qa.guix.gnu.org was discussed, and at least
>> concentrating on getting to a sustainable hosting situation there seemed
>> like a sensible priority. The longer history provided by
>> data.guix.gnu.org does have value though in my view.
>>
>>> Is there something we can do to not lose it all?  It could be
>>> distributing responsibility, reducing the scope, ensuring hosting is
>>> managed collectively by the project, etc.  WDYT?
>>
>> Since that discussion, I have disabled the database dumps and backups,
>> which has reduced (to 62€ per month) the hosting costs (although
>> obviously not having backups isn't ideal). It's possible to further
>> reduce the hosting costs as well by switching away from a VM to a
>> physical machine at Hetzner.
>>
>> But yeah, given that having at least one data service instance is a key
>> part of keeping the bordeaux build farm running, managing the hosting
>> through the project seems to be the way to go. I'm just not sure how we
>> can get there, or what I can do to move things in that direction.
>
> Like you, I would have hoped for more reactions.  Unfortunately, I’m not
> offering to help here because I have more than enough on my plate and
> even a 1+ month backlog on guix-devel…
>
> Maintainers, what’s your take on this?

I don't have a particularly clear view of the matter, but observing
that:

1. People find the service provides value (can someone restate what that
value is exactly?  Is it needed e.g. to power
https://qa.guix.gnu.org/patches ?)
2. Are willing to help with paying for it.

Given the above, it seems to me that the ball is in the camp of the Guix
Foundation to sort how to transfer ownership of the Hetzner
accounts/payments from Christopher to them.

It could be interesting, as Gabor mentioned, to review if a machine
already part of our fleet (Milano, perhaps?) could be used for it, to
keep our operating costs low, but this can be done later.

My 2 cents,

-- 
Thanks,
Maxim