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The state of SourceHut and our plans for the future

sourcehut.org

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Re: The state of SourceHut and our plans for the future

#3
> [...] we arranged to have five servers shipped to Amsterdam. However, all five servers were lost in the mail.

> These parcels were insured with the shipping provider, but we have been unable to reach the provider for any information regarding the status of the parcels or any resources for filing an insurance claim.

> After several months of attempts, we have ultimately had to write these servers off.

I obviously do not know the details here and it might be perfectly understandable given the full picture, but this chain of events sounds weird and could have used some further explanation.

Because this makes it sound like several thousand dollars worth of important equipment (and possibly important data) went missing and the issue was completely dropped because emails remained unanswered?

Re: The state of SourceHut and our plans for the future

#4

> [...] we arranged to have five servers shipped to Amsterdam. However, all five servers were lost in the mail. > These parcels were insured with the shipping provider, but we have been unable to reach the provider for any information regarding the status of the parcels or any resources for filing an insurance claim. > After several months of attempts, we have ultimately had to write these servers off. I obviously do…

There was no lost data, and it wasn't just unanswered emails -- several hours on the phone, juggling between subsidiaries on either side of the pond, with no clear responsible party on their end. The customer service for this shipping provider is totally opaque and automated with AI crap throughout. We did eventually get in touch with some humans but they were not ultimately very helpful.

We do have general business insurance and will probably file a claim, but we have two overworked and exhausted staff members, a lot of other priorities, and a budget which is already pretty deeply cut from all of these events, and we just don't have the time and energy to duke it out with an opaque megacorporation right now.

Re: The state of SourceHut and our plans for the future

#5

> [...] we arranged to have five servers shipped to Amsterdam. However, all five servers were lost in the mail. > These parcels were insured with the shipping provider, but we have been unable to reach the provider for any information regarding the status of the parcels or any resources for filing an insurance claim. > After several months of attempts, we have ultimately had to write these servers off. I obviously do…

There was no lost data, and it wasn't just unanswered emails -- several hours on the phone, juggling between subsidiaries on either side of the pond, with no clear responsible party on their end. The customer service for this shipping provider is totally opaque and automated with AI crap throughout. We did eventually get in touch with some humans but they were not ultimately very helpful. We do have general business…

I see, thanks for elaborating!

Re: The state of SourceHut and our plans for the future

#6

> [...] we arranged to have five servers shipped to Amsterdam. However, all five servers were lost in the mail. > These parcels were insured with the shipping provider, but we have been unable to reach the provider for any information regarding the status of the parcels or any resources for filing an insurance claim. > After several months of attempts, we have ultimately had to write these servers off. I obviously do…

There was no lost data, and it wasn't just unanswered emails -- several hours on the phone, juggling between subsidiaries on either side of the pond, with no clear responsible party on their end. The customer service for this shipping provider is totally opaque and automated with AI crap throughout. We did eventually get in touch with some humans but they were not ultimately very helpful. We do have general business…

If a shipping provider loses shipment and refuses to respect the insurance agreement, it sounds like they should be sued for damages. The damages are much more than the cost of the shipment, as the loss itself also undermines operations and causes a lot of financial downside.

Re: The state of SourceHut and our plans for the future

#7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There was no lost data, and it wasn't just unanswered emails -- several hours on the phone, juggling between subsidiaries on either side of the pond, with no clear responsible party on their end. The customer service for this shipping provider is totally opaque and automated with AI crap throughout. We did eventually get in touch with some humans but they were not ultimately very helpful. We do have general business…

If a shipping provider loses shipment and refuses to respect the insurance agreement, it sounds like they should be sued for damages. The damages are much more than the cost of the shipment, as the loss itself also undermines operations and causes a lot of financial downside.

Lawyers are not free, and the team already has very few CPU cycles to spare.

Re: The state of SourceHut and our plans for the future

#9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If a shipping provider loses shipment and refuses to respect the insurance agreement, it sounds like they should be sued for damages. The damages are much more than the cost of the shipment, as the loss itself also undermines operations and causes a lot of financial downside.

Lawyers are not free, and the team already has very few CPU cycles to spare.

In some jurisdictions, the losing side will have to cover the cost. In some jurisdictions there are also small claims courts, which do not need legal representation.

It’s clear that it caused financial distress whereas as happy paying customer I want SourceHut to continue existing.

Re: The state of SourceHut and our plans for the future

#10

[flagged]

The downside to transparency – someone will bad-faith you into oblivion for telling the truth.

Personally, even if the fall-out of losing the servers hasn’t been perfectly-and-neatly handled (civil suit, money back, etc.), I am impressed at the resilience they’ve had; this is something that very easily could’ve wiped out other projects, but they’re still here and they’ve managed to raise capacity. The transparency is also greatly appreciated.

I find this heartening. Godspeed to them!

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