response 2 of 219:

Dec 22 21:37 UTC 2004

There is another, mostly unrelated, move in the works.  We will soon be
moving Grex's server to a new location.  We will be giving up our lease
on the pumpkin and moving the system into an ISP provider's co-location
space.  This will substantially decrease our operating costs, and should
substantially improve our network connectivity.

At around the same time as the move, we will also be reducing the number of
dial-in lines from four to two.  This is not because of the move.  Over the
years we have been periodically re-evaluating how many dial-in lines we need,
based on how much they are being used.  Current usage just doesn't justify
four lines any more.  The third line is rarely being used, and the fourth
almost never.  Since phone lines are fairly expensive, we don't want to keep
around unused lines.  It is possible that the new phone lines will be of a
different sort that is local to a larger calling area.  If true, that could
increase demand for them.  However, it also appears that many of the people
currently using the phone lines are doing so to get around Grex's crappy
network connection.  If our network connectivity improves, this may not be
an issue.

When the server moves, Grex's IP address will change.  This shouldn't matter.

We don't know yet when the server will be moved.  Probably soon after the new
server is up.