Re: What To Do Next? (was: Re: [GeneX-dev] Re: usersec table)

[<ja...@op...>]

"Jiaye Zhou" <ze...@in...> writes:

> Hi Greg,
> 
> On Tue, 23 Jan 2001, Greg D. Colello wrote:
> > >We don't need to re-write anything to communicate over SSL. All we
> > >have to do is run an SSL-enable apache, and all our CGI scripts will
> > >work fine. We were supposed to be doing that all along. 
> > 
> > This is true. But it does also require that each lab that installs
> > GeneX and wants SSL must SSL-enable their apache. That costs extra
> > money from RedHat or requires we add a new set of modules to our
> > distribution.
> 
> Hmmm, Apache-SSL comes with the distribution. It is freely available
> anyway...

on a debian system it's as simple as 'apt-get install apache-ssl', and
wait a minute while it downloads the package and installs it. Free as
free can be, and pretty darn simple, too.

> > I think we need to address this question if we wish to rapidly extend our 
> > install base or even attract new developers.
> 
> Yes indeed! Perhaps we are better off spending time on some of these issues? 
> I agree that the SSL improvements that have been discussed are useful. But
> I don't know how big an issue it really is at this point, especially if
> someone installs GeneX in his or her lab, or on their own network...On the
> other hand improvements on better addressing research needs will be a lot
> more noticable and attractive to potential users.

I think SSL will be good for NCGR. They will want it for their
collaborators. I would suggest making it a fee-for-service module, but
we wrote it into the grant.

jas.