[Nfb-web] Non X Catalyst Hosting on NFB Server

[Gary Wunder]

Pete, As one  who is keenly interested in our web presence but also serves 
on the national board of directors, I have to take issue with your statement 
that we should not use poverty as an excuse for not upgrading our site. The 
investments we make in the NFB are, by most standards, conservative, and yet 
the drop that we have seen in the economy means that this year we will have 
millions of dollars less to spend nationally than we have in the past. You 
have every right if you wish to tell us how we should spend our money, but 
you have every obligation as well to help us raise it. You do a spectacular 
job, and I have no doubt that you're feeling tremendous pressure as a 
result, but do not let yourself be placed in the position where you feel 
responsible for something which is beyond your control. Missouri does not 
hold you responsible, and neither does anyone else who understands the 
complexity of technology.

None of us, as divisions or affiliates, is obligated in the least to use NFB 
Net. At least in Missouri we use it because it is a bargain, because until 
recently it has been extremely reliable, and because the volunteers who give 
so much of their time to host and moderate are just spectacular. I think 
that you have every right to rant if you must, but you also do have an 
obligation to be grateful for what is given, and unless you and I and a few 
other people can figure out a way to provide better funding for NFB Net, 
we're going to have to deal with the situation where we have one modem, one 
server, and one small and dedicated volunteer staff.

Gary

P.S. I will gladly withdraw the preceding statement if somebody wants to 
offer us $1 million so that we may continue to grant free web service to our 
affiliates.


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