[SAC] geoserver automated builds, OSGeo SAC and critical long-term services

[Brian M Hamlin]

Dear OSGeo SAC, admins, volunteers and stakeholders

In email today there is a topic and SAC ticket, related to a Geoserver 
build-server being discontinued  by Planet .. This is a great example of 
a modern situation. Indeed, a suggestion followed to move the same 
services, plus build services, plus signing services, to yet another 
Giant Corp's infrastructure-as-a-service.

   SAC at OSGeo -- own your own hardware, run your own AUTH, sign your 
own software

   Anyone who has been unjustly treated in business will know what this 
means. "Business is never fair" heard this?

  Owning your Own Hardware is the right move over years, not hours
     why?   *  much harder to be shut down at short notice;  * much less 
expensive over years (not hours);
  * platform access decisions, such as authentication (AUTH) are in the 
hands of the group involved, not a for-profit, de-personal Corporate 
entity that does not have your interests in their decision making;  *  
legacy software decisions are in the hands of the group involved;  "The 
King Decides" .. a system of charity, leads to awkward situations, or 
worse, as things change, on the other hand, owning the hardware and 
internalizing important decisions, leads to autonomy;

Current news about Google Cloud platform .. running a a compute node on 
their platform means, you use a Linux with Google modifications !   what 
could go wrong.

   Deal with occassional breakins and re-build the server
   Build a trust network that is centered on OSGeo, not Giant Corp

   .. the right decision over years, not hours

   best regards from California  --Brian M Hamlin