Why is mapleafweb on an American server?

[Guest American Woman]

No, I was "high fiving" Greg for making the decision solely on merit(s). As a consumer, I am not a "buy American only" type at all, but many of my consumer goods are/were Made In USA.

I agree with making a decision based on merit, but if cost is the deciding factor, then it's not based solely on merit; and that's why I was wondering how many people believe in the idea behind "buy American" if the only difference between products is cost. So on that note, you wouldn't have a problem with an American university hosting an American political forum on a Canadian server ultimately based on cost? I think my "buy American" beliefs would be strong enough to be uncomfortable with that, so I'm wondering how many, if any, people share that belief.

[bush_cheney2004]

I agree with making a decision based on merit, but if cost is the deciding factor, then it's not based solely on merit; and that's why I was wondering how many people believe in the idea behind "buy American" if the only difference between products is cost. So on that note, you wouldn't have a problem with an American university hosting an American political forum on a Canadian server ultimately based on cost? I think my "buy American" beliefs would be strong enough to be uncomfortable with that, so I'm wondering how many, if any, people share that belief.

Well, low cost without quality hosting service is not a bargain. Because of the Internet / Web's very nature (technically), I am not concerned so much about where a site is hosted. Sometimes there are load and speed efficiencies to be gained from a more distributed architecture.

If you don't care about the technical merits, then I guess the political and personal ramifications would have to be considered for censorship, legal liability, data privacy, etc.

I guess the realization that MLW actually "exists" on a server in Houston, TX is very reassuring because, despite the sometimes heated CanAm posts, the reality of cross border things is much more pragmatic.

[Guest American Woman]

Well, low cost without quality hosting service is not a bargain. Because of the Internet / Web's very nature (technically), I am not concerned so much about where a site is hosted. Sometimes there are load and speed efficiencies to be gained from a more distributed architecture.

I agree that low cost without quality is not a bargain. But that's not the issue here. The issue is "strictly cost," to quote Greg, so I think it's safe to assume there are Canadian servers that would provide the same quality of service as The Planet, but at a higher price.

If you don't care about the technical merits, then I guess the political and personal ramifications would have to be considered for censorship, legal liability, data privacy, etc.

Are you saying that you would care if an American university were using a Canadian server, not because of cost, but because of "political and personal ramification .... for censorship, legal liability, data privacy, etc.?" It's not clear to me where you answered my question. Seems to me you're beating around the bush in an attempt to avoid a direct answer.

[bush_cheney2004]

I agree that low cost without quality is not a bargain. But that's not the issue here. The issue is "strictly cost," to quote Greg, so I think it's safe to assume there are Canadian servers that would provide the same quality of service as The Planet, but at a higher price.

That's not how I read his responses in total....he pays for good services at low cost...a sound strategy for university or college budgets.

Are you saying that you would care if an American university were using a Canadian server, not because of cost, but because of "political and personal ramification .... for censorship, legal liability, data privacy, etc.?" It's not clear to me where you answered my question. Seems to me you're beating around the bush in an attempt to avoid a direct answer.

I'm not beating around anything....simply pointing out some other considerations depending on the individual and "services" provided. I use servers in the UK, Germany, and France on a routine basis without care. I have no idea where Fidelity Investments is hosted. It's not a problem for me until it's a problem.

I don't know why your focus is on an "American university" in particular....the power of this network is sharing stuff, no no matter where it actually exists in binary form.

[Guest American Woman]

That's not how I read his responses in total....he pays for good services at low cost...a sound strategy for university or college budgets.

Yes, he does pay for good services at a low cost -- that's the whole issue; that an American server was chosen because of it's low cost, not because it's "better" than what a Canadian server could provide.

I'm not beating around anything....simply pointing out some other considerations depending on the individual and "services" provided. I use servers in the UK, Germany, and France on a routine basis without care. I have no idea where Fidelity Investments is hosted. It's not a problem for me until it's a problem.

I'm not really interested in what servers you personally use. I'm interested in this particular issue because public universities receive tax payers' money.

I don't know why your focus is on an "American university" in particular....the power of this network is sharing stuff, no no matter where it actually exists in binary form.

I thought it would be clear that I'm focusing on an "'American university' in particular" because that's what this particular issue involves. As I stated above, universities receive tax money. As for myself, I would want an American university, which my tax dollars help support, giving it's business/money to an American company.

[Smallc]

As Canadians we have very little protection under the US Constitution. On top of that, I doubt that we're in much danger of being subjected to a hate claim. It's also important to note that the server is in Canada even if the host is not, as far as I understand.

[bush_cheney2004]

Yes, he does pay for good services at a low cost -- that's the whole issue; that an American server was chosen because of it's low cost, not because it's "better" than what a Canadian server could provide.

We have no idea what MLW has contracted for, terms of service, disaster recovery, etc. It's not just lower cost.

I'm not really interested in what servers you personally use. I'm interested in this particular issue because public universities receive tax payers' money.

Bully for you.....

I thought it would be clear that I'm focusing on an "'American university' in particular" because that's what this particular issue involves. As I stated above, universities receive tax money. As for myself, I would want an American university, which my tax dollars help support, giving it's business/money to an American company.

No, the campus in question clearly resides on the other side of the border. If you want to champion another angle, that's your business. American universities also subsidize foreign students. Look for a fight elsewhere.....

[M.Dancer]

We have no idea what MLW has contracted for, terms of service, disaster recovery, etc. It's not just lower cost.

Clearly and not to misquote...

MLW is hosted on a dedicate server at ThePlanet data center in Houston Texas. Due to budget considerations, we made the decision to go with the highest quality at the lowest price, and that lead us to ThePlanet.

Which is what everyone should look for. As far as US tax dollars being spent with no consideration of cost, as long as it a US supplier....a nice recipe for a waste of US tax dollars

[Guest American Woman]

We have no idea what MLW has contracted for, terms of service, disaster recovery, etc. It's not just lower cost.

Again, to quote Greg:

You're right, Canadian data-centers on average are a lot more expensive than US based data-centers.

It was strictly an economic decision. .....

As for the rest of your post, I didn't realize I was dealing with a moody adolescent. Had I known, I wouldn't have been interested in, nor asked for, your opinion. But just to clarify, it's not just your opinion I was interested in.

[bush_cheney2004]

....As for the rest of your post, I didn't realize I was dealing with a moody adolescent. Had I known, I wouldn't have been interested in, nor asked for, your opinion. But just to clarify, it's not just your opinion I was interested in.

You went looking for a fight when there was none.

You clearly do not want or need my opinion.

[Guest American Woman]

You went looking for a fight when there was none.

You clearly do not want or need my opinion.

Good Lord. Are you so easily intimidated that you see someone asking for your opinion as "looking for a fight?" You're right, though. I clearly no longer want your opinion.

[bush_cheney2004]

Good Lord. Are you so easily intimidated that you see someone asking for your opinion as "looking for a fight?" You're right, though. I clearly no longer want your opinion.

Thank you Jesus......

[lily]

There is also the 'free speech' factor. I'm supposing that the American base means that we're not in Canadian legal jurisdiction.

From what I understand, it doesn't matter where the server is. If the words are typed in Canada, you're subject to Canadian law.

[Guest American Woman]

From what I understand, it doesn't matter where the server is. If the words are typed in Canada, you're subject to Canadian law.

I question that. I would think American laws would apply to an American server. I wouldn't think, for example, that my being in the United States would allow me to get away with typing hate messages on a Canadian server. I would think that I would be subjected to Canadian law.

[lily]

I'm not saying it wouldn't be subject to US law... just that it's subject to Canadian law. A few people have found that out, to their surprise. They thought they were safe posting their hatred and stalking... only to discover they were accountable for what they'd typed.

[cybercoma]

I'm not 100% sure where you guys are going, but here's a couple things that come to mind as I read your arguments:

- Maple Leaf Web, to my understanding (someone correct me if I'm wrong), has nothing to do with the University of Lethbridge; it was simply hosted on their servers at one point. I don't believe any taxpayer money goes towards the maintenance and operation of this website.

- I'm not certain how internet laws work, but there's talk right now about the Canadian government going after Facebook because it does not honour Canadian Privacy Law. The Facebook servers are in the US.

[Guest American Woman]

- Maple Leaf Web, to my understanding (someone correct me if I'm wrong), has nothing to do with the University of Lethbridge; it was simply hosted on their servers at one point. I don't believe any taxpayer money goes towards the maintenance and operation of this website.

I think you're right about that; I recall Greg saying that the university gives them office space, but is not otherwise associated with it. I think I recall his saying that no tax money is involved, too.

Edited July 18, 2009 by American Woman

[Radsickle]

I'm truly interested in how people feel about this. It's sort of like whether or not to support Wal-mart because it's cheaper but it's products are not American labor. Even American flags are made in China. How do you feel about that?

Firstly, I am uncomfortable knowing that this server is in the States. Someone suggested that we're somehow `outside' of Canadian Law because of that. Is that a good thing?

Wal-mart is not a good thing, regardless of what most of my fellow Canadians think. There are many American Townsfolk marching against Wal-mart these days.

I've never spent a Canadian Cent in a Wal-mart. Never Will.

I'm of mixed emotion here. I think one should "buy American" (fill in your country). However, I've made exceptions too. I finally bought a Toyota (Camry) after having American cars my whole life, but not because it's cheaper, but because it's a better product. So I make exceptions, too.

The North American Auto Industry has been coddled by protectionist measures for too long. Toyota won the battle on the quality of their product and, in 2001, was able to compete directly in a "free-market", "Capitalist" Continent...

Based on a decision by the WTO dispute panel in 2001, the Auto Pact was abolished as the panel ruled that parts of the Canada–United States Auto Pact broke global trade rules by favoring some countries over others. This ended the 35-year-old centrepiece of Canada’s automotive policy.

Auto Pact

I would rather buy `Canadian' where I can. Toyota has managed to support its own plants in Canada without the need of corporate welfare...

[lily]

You are not outside of Canadian law. If you type the words in Canada, you're liable under our laws.

Now... about the time. Why is it 27/28 minutes out?

[Radsickle]

Now... about the time. Why is it 27/28 minutes out?

'Cause you're a lefty.

[lily]

'Cause you're a lefty.

If that were the case, it would be 27 minutes ahead... not behind.

[Radsickle]

If that were the case, it would be 27 minutes ahead... not behind.

Uh oh... the government of Canada called today and, apparently, I'm not allowed to call you a `lefty' no matter where the text is stored.

Back to the issue though, I'd rather buy from my fellow Canadians any time. The recent `Buy American' thing has hurt many people in Canada but I can totally understand the inclination in hard times to return to the grassroots, the community, and $upport it first. That doesn't explain why so many gullible Canadians bought crappy cars for so long though. I'll never be that nationalistic.

[lily]

Uh oh... the government of Canada called today and, apparently, I'm not allowed to call you a `lefty' no matter where the text is stored.

I'm left handed... isn't that what you were referring to?

[GostHacked]

Greg/Charles, subject to your approval, are we free to post here? Are people with free access to the Internet able to read our posts/these threads?

IOW, what do you or your hosting server do to prevent people from posting to or reading this forum? Please explain, and be explicit.

If it is on the Internet, anyone with an Internet connection can read this site. You need to log in to post. I don't think this part of the forum is restricted to non members. Greg?

However, I would suggest migrating to a Canadian based server/service. I understand cost and reliability, but not sure how laws would work if you lost access to the server and it's information. With the server being physically located in Texas, it is subject to US laws more than it would be Canadian laws. The possibility of you having this issue is very small, but I guess it can still happen.

[Radsickle]

good point. I wouldn't want someone to start messing with these threads to change the appearance of the conversation. There are too many Conservative Canadians plying the trade of online message massaging. Can't let the Red-Necks win the day, eh?