Restoring GNATS database

[Andrew Gray]

Hi Yngve and Chad,

One important outstanding issue with GNATS is the bug database.  After
the main GNU host was cracked in August last year the GNATS database
was unavailable.  I have started looking at getting it back on-line again.

Two key problems are (1) recoving the data from the old database and
(2) identifying a machine that can host the GNATS database.

I have sent a message to the GNU sysadmins and received a response.

Regarding recovering the old database, they asked where the data was.
I guessed it would be in /usr/local/com/gnatsdb or /usr/com/gnatsdb.
Yngve, do you recall what directory the GNATS database on fencepost
was in?

Regarding running the GNATS database on fencepost, the response included:

> Can GNATS run as a non-root user?  If so, reinstalling on
> fencepost shouldn't be a problem.  I recall that in years past the
> installation was poorly maintained / undocumented, and whenever we had
> to swap out hardware or reinstall fencepost, GNATS broke.  Is there a
> stable Debian package that we can keep installed on the machine, or
> does the install need to constantly change?

My response included:

> Yes, GNATS normally run as a specially created "gnats" user.  However,
> I think that root access was required to administer that GNATS and
> Gnatsweb installation.

> I think there is a stable Debian package (3.999.beta1+cvs20020303-1),
> but I'm not sure if we would need to run a newer version of GNATS.
> 
> Another option I am considering is using a cheap Linux virtual hosting
> service for the GNATS database.  If installing and maintaining
> GNATS/Gnatsweb on fencepost would involve significant work for the
> fencepost admins, this approach might shift the admin burden to the
> GNATS maintainer and/or contributers.

Chad, was my response to the question about the stable Debian package
correct?

The Linux virtual hosting service I was thinking of was on jvds.com.
They have a plan that is USD 12.50 per month, I would be happy to pay
this for a year if it would help get the GNATS database online again
quickly.  What do you think about using such a service for the GNATS
database?

-- 
Andrew Gray
GNU GNATS Maintainer