[geeks] layoffs and startups

[Shawn Wallbridge]

I have been thinking the same thing. I really want a better connection for
my web server. Since I am being paid to host websites, I already have some
revenue. The building I work in has REALLY good connectivity for a
reasonable price($500/month 100Mbit). And the space is really cheap
($6/ft2). I have plenty of hardware as well, but it is the startup costs
that would kill me.

shawn

-----Original Message-----
From: geeks-admin at sunhelp.org [mailto:geeks-admin at sunhelp.org]On Behalf
Of koyote at koyote.cx
Sent: Tuesday, July 31, 2001 3:08 PM
To: geeks at sunhelp.org
Subject: Re: [geeks] layoffs and startups




> Koyote once wrote:
> > What if one wanted to start a colo/service hosting/webdesign isp
service?

> Why didn't I think of that 6 years ago? :^)

Well, the idea isn't new. :). But there is surely room to grow. And new
services to add almost daily. I've got a few service twists that could be
made to sell a few accounts.


> > Using older equipment (ss1000e's, sc2000's, u150's, and I could probably
> > do an e3k, and ssa's), I actually have enough cpu power and storage
space
> > to do it, but....

> I had a business plan I was putting together for something "similar."
> The problem is sun4d hardware will no longer be supported in the
reasonably
> near future. I'd volunteer my basement as a datacenter, though.

Well, sun4d is fully supported in 8, and while it will be dropped from 9,
you still can run for a few years on 8 and be stable and secure. I can
think of one major isp I know that still runs on 2.5.1, albeit a highly
customized version.

By the time one really needs to replace a stack of 1000's, parted out
420's/440's, and e450's should be available for scrounging and surplus.
Or you'd be able to afford to cluster netras.

> The other "geek trick" is bandwidth co-ops. Everyone chips in $n/month
and
> gets decent service, and we keep an eye on one another's systems. It's
how
> TLG started IIRC. For $1000/mo You can co-locate at PIX and peer for
free,
> then run a long-haul T1 or fractional T3 via a PVC to a central point,
and
> then do free/cheap DSL across alarm circuits to a local point. The PVC
> costs abour $1000-$5000/mo and each alarm circuit $25/mo. Divide that
among
> 100 or so people (and you have a 10MBit or 100MBit link at pix) and it
> works out decently. I haven't crunched the numbers in a while, though.

Not bad, but I'm really after getting a commercial business that will
eventually pay decent wages and provide me with sun-money :)


> > Add to THAT, I'm an economic democrat and want to go in with people, not
> > hire them. (and I know admins, webdesign people, coders who are all out
> > of work)

> work for free, "here's some stock, which may or may not be worthless..."

Still have to pay for food somehow. And the whole starting money thing.
Got to get enough to get space and bandwidth and pay the electric bill
while getting accounts.

-Christof
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