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Alternatives to SourceForge for Larger Projects?
DavonZ asks: "I have recently requested hosting from SourceForge for andLinux, a Windows based Linux distribution. Since andLinux is essentially an operating system, it is quite large (500MB for the first release), and SourceForge rejected the hosting request due to its size. Since andLinux will allow handheld development environments to be 'plugged in', hosting it could require gigs of space. I have looked into alternative distribution methods like ed2k and Bittorrent, but the FUD associated with such distribution methods can slow adaption of the project. I have also considered purchasing hosting, but that is costly, would require donations and the project is not yet presentable for even beta release...at least not yet. What alternatives to SourceForge are available for large projects like this that include the
'bells and whistles' that SourceForge has (CVS, forums, mailing lists, bug tracking, etc.)?"
You're probably going to have to host it yourself, at least until it's far enough long to find someone willing to donate space/bandwidth. You'll have to install some forum software yourself, like phpBB, of course. Isn't the software SF runs itself Open Source? If so, why not download that and put it to work?
The upshot of hosting it yourself is, you can set up a Google AdSense or Overture account and try to get some revenue coming in to help defray development costs.
God invented whiskey so the Irish would not rule the world.
I feel uneasy when projects out there include the word 'Linux' in their names. Linus for that purpose did something like trademark (dont know what exactly) recently to protect the trademark. This is important since someone could come up with a minor BSD-based project and call it GNU\Linux or Linux System or something like that. I hope you've kept that in mind.
As far as larger projects go, knoppix initially had great demand but the servers slow. Demand itself allowed the torrents to prosper and people could access the earlier knoppix CDs. Their servers seem faster now.
Host it on any given low bandwidth site, or better yet host all files somewhere online but put the downloadable ISOs on your home machine and elsewhere and allow the torrents to do their work. If theres demand it'll work beautifully. If theres no demand.. well.. you never needed the bandwidth in the first place.
PS I dont know of OSS hosting solutions other than sf.net.
"Give orange me give eat orange me eat orange give me eat orange give me you." -Nim Chimpsky
The FUD created about BitTorrent and ed2k is just that. Anyone who even knows about Linux and/or alternative operating systems isn't going to shun your distro because its only available via P2P protocols. BitTorrent was designed with the exact situation you have in mind. Use it for its intended purpose.
It looks like you have two options, get a dedicated server from someone like EV1 Servers for $99/month or setup your own box on your broadband connection (assuming you have broadband). I use EV1 and I would recommend them if you want a dedicated server and are willing to do your own system administration.
As far as software I'd recommend Subversion for source countrol, Bugzilla for bug tracking, and MediaWiki for general documentation. I'm in the process of setting this up for my own projects right now.
Bradley Holt