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Okonjo Iweala Kidnapping Wahala Police Deny $1billion RansomThe police in Delta state has denied abductors of Kanene Okonjo, mother of Nigeria’s Finance minister, are demanding $1billion as ransom.De… Started by you in EFCC Nigeria Crime Reports |
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A former Church worker said Mr. Okotie made him work for 14 years without pay. On February 5, 2013, the flamboyant head of the Household…
Started by you in Religion
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Muhammadu Buhari - Bio data
Born in Daura, Katsina State, on 17 December 1942.
Education
Attended Primary School in Daura and Mai'adua, 1948-1952
Attended Katsina Model School in 1953 and Katsina Provincial Secondary School (now Government College Katsina) from 1956-1961.
Joined the then Nigerian Military Training School, Kaduna in 1963.
Attended Officer's Cadet School in Aldershot (United Kingdom), October 1963
Attended Platoon Commanders' Course at the Nigerian Military College, Kaduna, 1964
Attended the Mechanical Transport Officer's Course at the Army Mechanical Transport
School in Borden (United Kingdom) 1965
Studied at the Defense Services' Staff College, Wellington (India), 1973
Attended the United States Army War College, June 1979 to June 1980.
Military Career
Platoon Commander, 2nd Infantry Battalion, 1963-1964;
Mechanical Transport Officer, Lagos Garrison, 1964-1965;
Transport Company Commander, 2nd Infantry Brigade, 1965-1966;
Battalion Adjutant/Commander, 2nd Infantry Brigade, 1966-1967;
Brigade Major, 2nd Sector, 1st Infantry Division, April to July, 1967;
Brigade Major, 3rd Infantry Division, August 1967 - October 1968;
Acting Commander, 4th Sector, 1st Division, November 1968 - February 1970;
Commander, 31st Infantry Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, February 1970 - June 1971;
Assistant Adjutant-General, 1st Infantry Division Headquarters, July 1971 - December 1972;
Colonel, General Staff, 3rd Infantry Division Headquarters, January 1974 - September 1974;
Acting Director Supply and Transport, Nigeria Army Corps Headquarters, September 1974 - July 1975;
Military Governor, North Eastern State of Nigeria, August 1975 - March 1976;
Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources, March 1976 - June 1978;
Chairman, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, June 1978 - July 1978;
Military Secretary, Army Headquarters, July 1978 - June 1979;
Member, Supreme Military Council, July 1978 - June 1979;
General Officer Commanding, 4th Infantry Division, August 1980 - January 1981;
General Officer Commanding, 3rd Armoured Division, November 1981 - December 1983;
Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, December 1983 - August 1985.
Executive Chairman of the Petroleum (Special) Trust Fund (PTF), 21 March 1995 - May 1999.
Awards
GCFR: Grand Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
DSM: Defense Service Medal
NSM: National Service Medal
GSM: General Service Medal
LSGCM: Loyal Service and Good Conduct Medal
FSS: Forces Service Star
CM: The Congo Medal
Honourary Doctorate Degrees
10 December 1994: Honorary Doctor of Science degree (honoris causa) conferred on Buhari by Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi.
21 December 1996: Honorary Doctor of Letters degree (honoris causa) conferred on Buhari by the University of Calabar.
6 June 1998: Honorary Doctor of Law degree (honoris causa) conferred on Buhari by Benue State University.
Goodluck Jonathan - Bio data
Born in Otuoke, Bayelsa State, on 20 November 1957.
Education
St Stephen’s primary school ( now state school ) Otuoke, 1961 – 1965
St Michael’s primary school, Oloibiri, Bayelsa State FSLC, 1966 – 1969
Mater Dei high school, Imiringi, Bayelsa State , 1971 – 1975
University of Port Harcourt, 1977 – 1981
University of Port Harcourt, 1983 – 1984
University of Port Harcourt, 1987 – 1995
Academic Qualifications:
First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) 1969
West African School Certificate (WASC) 1975
General Certificate of Education (GCE O/L) 1976
B. Sc. Zoology Second Class (hons) Upper Division 1981
M. Sc. Hydrobiology/Fisheries Biology 1985
Ph. D. Zoology 1995
Employment History:
Preventive Officer, Dept. Of Customs & Excise, 1975 – 1977
Science Inspector of Education, Rivers State Ministry of Education, Port Harcourt , 1982 – 1983
Lecturer, Dept. Of Biology, Rivers State College of Education, Port Harcourt , 1983 – 1993
Assistant Director, (Ecology)/ Head Sub – Dept. Of Environment Protection, OMPADEC, 1993 – 1998
Deputy Governor, Bayelsa State from May 1999 to 2005
Governor, Bayelsa State from May 2005 to May 2007
Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria from May 2007 to February 2010
Acting President, Federal Republic of Nigeria from February 2010 to May 2010
President, Commander-in-chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from May 2010 to date
Awards:
Best Performing Deputy Governor Award in the Federation in 2002, by the Institute of Public Administration of Nigeria (IPAN)
Award of "Exemplary Leadership Quality and Good Governance" conferred by the National Association of Women in Education Development in July 2003
Honorary Award for Democracy and Good Governance conferred by the NUJ Abuja Council
any errors are atrributed to the printers devil any amendments are welcome .
Five persons have been reportedly killed at the weekend while several others were seriously injured in a bloody clash in three different locations between two rival cult groups, the Eiye and Black Axe in Benin, the Edo State capital.
Daily Sun gathered that the victims were killed during a quarrel, as one of the groups was sharing money allegedly given to them by politicians during the conduct of primaries by one of the political parties in the state.
It was learnt that two men riding on a motorcycle, suspected to be members of the Eiye confraternity shot a member of a rival Black Axe cult group whose name was identified as Tony Idemudia at Uwelu, near Ogida area of the city. As soon as this happened, the Black Axe members were said to have stormed the Texiles Mill Road area apparently on a reprisal mission and swooped on two rival members killing them in the process.
Not satisfied, members of the Black Axe confraternity were said to have retreated and launched another attack on their opponents at the Second East Circular junction also in the state capital, where they shot two persons to death. One of the victims of the onslaught was identified as Osas.
The bloody scenes had left the residents of the affected areas scampering for safety. When contacted , the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr. Peter Ogboi failed to confirm the incident..
However, Edo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. David Omojola said nine persons had been arrested in connection with the incident. He attributed the killings to rival cult gangs and promised that those involved in the killings would be prosecuted, adding that investigations were on to unravel the circumstances surrounding the clash.
The corpses of the cult members have been taken to the morgue of the Central Hospital, Benin by policemen from the state command.
Previously in May 2010
The relative peace in Edo State was disrupted when cult groups clashed in Benin City, leaving 11 persons dead.
The clash was between two rival groups, the Eiye and Black Axe confraternities.
P.M.NEWS gathered yesterday that the battle, which took place last weekend, was a spill over from College of Education, Ekiadolor, near Benin City where cult rivalry claimed two lives recently.
Police sources confirmed the death of eight persons and six persons on danger list at different hospitals in Benin City.
Investigation revealed that Ogida and Useh quarters were the worse hit, recording a death toll of seven within six hours last Thursday.
Eye witnesses said that the cultists attacked their victims as soon as they dropped off the vehicles that brought them. It was further revealed that they pursued some of the victims to their family houses, killing some even in the presence of their parents.
One of the victims is called Erokpadamwen Asemota who was shot dead along with others at Useh quarters.
Bewildered residents who could no longer endure the war decided to appeal to security agencies and relevant bodies to intervene as lives and economic activities have been endangered in the area.
The hitmen and their victims are said to be in their twenties and some were alleged to be students of College of Education, Ekiadolor.
Describing the incident as unfortunate, the spokesman of Edo State Police command, ASP Peter Ogboi, stated that they intervened in good time to arrest the situation .
A bloody cult war between Black Axe and Maphite Confraternity reportedly claimed over 15 lives last March in Benin City.
—Yomi Obaditan/Benin
THE GOOD
How would you like a device that opens up a world of new possibilities making you work smarter and your life delightfully easy?This is what the Samsung Galaxy Tab/ Etisalat bundle offer is giving you….the opportunity to explore more virtual possibilities.
Business or pleasure, the Samsung Galaxy Tab/ Etisalat bundle offer provides the upwardly mobile and dynamic business executive a rich dataexperience.
Samsung Galaxy Tab, the Android powered tablet computer is a beautiful device with a 7-inch display and thinlightweight design combined with premium content and functioning toolsthat deliver total effectiveness. It is truly a mobile tablet that isas comfortable to carry around in meetings as it is to use whilerelaxing on the couch at home. It is a perfect device for workingsmarter, watching movies, reading e-books, catching up on your favoriteTV shows or even chatting with old friends. Plus, the Tab is sleek andappropriately sized that it would fit easily into jacket or trouserpockets.
What you get from the Samsung Galaxy Tab/ Etisalat bundle offer
The Galaxy Tab is bundled with a free Etisalat SIM card that comes with:
- Free monthly voice [25 minutes], Text [25 SMS] and data [250MB] bundles for a 12-month duration. The bundle is awarded on the first dayof every month for 12 months beginning from the day of activation.This way, you get the feeling of availability of free services everymonth for 1 year.
- Free platinum 0809 special number
- Access to installmental payments and consumer loans (terms and conditions apply)
To order yours, visit any Etisalat Experience Centre or Samsung Brand Shop nearest to you or call us on 08090000200.
THE BAD
Early this morning, I got a headsup from bosun99uk via Twitter notifying me of a Starcomms Android tablet named myPad.
According to the tweet, the tablet runs Android version 2.1, has a 10.1-inch display, is packaged with a free iZap wifi internet router and free 3 months internet subscription. The package is said to cost N75,000.
I was able to source for the image below:
Oh,notice the hilarous part – the tweet says that Starcomms used the picture of an iPad to advertise their tablet. Yup, that is certainly aniPad in that picture – notice the Apple icons on a supposedly Androidtablet. Hope Apple won’t sue. What happened? Haven’t Starcomms takendelivery of a copy of the tablet they are advertising?
No other details on the device yet, but we are hunting. Hang around.
THE "UGLY"
A lot of people at Gizmodo are psyched about the iPad. Not me! My god, am I underwhelmed by it. It has some absolutely backbreaking failures that will make buying one the last thing I would want to do. Updated
Big, Ugly Bezel
Have you seen the bezel on this thing?! It's huge! I know you don't want to accidentally input a command when your thumb is holding it, but come on.
No Multitasking
This is a backbreaker. If this is supposed to be a replacement fornetbooks, how can it possibly not have multitasking? Are you saying Ican't listen to Pandora while writing a document? I can't have myTwitter app open at the same time as my browser? I can't have AIM openat the same time as my email? Are you kidding me? This alone guaranteesthat I will not buy this product.
No Cameras
No front facing camera is one thing. But no back facing camera either?Why the hell not? I can't imagine what the downside was for including atleast one camera. Could this thing not handle video iChat?
Touch Keyboard
So much for Apple revolutionizing tablet inputs;this is the same big, ugly touchscreen keyboard we've seen on othertablets, and unless you're lying on the couch with your knees proppingit up, it'll be awkward to use.
No HDMI Out
Want to watch those nice HD videos you downloaded from iTunes on yourTV? Too damned bad! If you were truly loyal, you'd just buy an AppleTValready.
The Name iPad
Get ready for Maxi pad jokes, and lots of 'em!
No Flash
No Flash is annoying but not a dealbreaker on the iPhone and iPod Touch.On something that's supposed to be closer to a netbook or laptop? Itwill leave huge, gaping holes in websites. I hope you don't care aboutstreaming video! God knows not many casual internet users do. Oh wait,nevermind, they all do.
Adapters, Adapters, Adapters
So much for those smooth lines. If you want to plug anything into this, such as a digital camera, you need all sorts of ugly adapters. You need an adapter for USB for god's sake.
Update: Why stop at 8? Here are more things we are discovering that suck about the iPad.
It's Not Widescreen
Widescreen movies look lousy on this thing thanks to its 4:3 screen, according to Blam, who checked out some of Star Trek on one. It's like owning a 4:3 TV all over again!
Doesn't Support T-Mobile 3G
Sure, it's "unlocked." But it won't work on T-Mobile, and it uses microSIMs that literally no one else uses.
A Closed App Ecosystem
The iPad only runs apps from the App Store.. The same App Store that is notorious for banning apps for no real reason, such as Google Voice. Sure, netbooks might not have touchscreens, but you can install whatever software you'd like on them. Want to run a different browser on your iPad? Too bad!
Unknown gunmen, suspected to be hired assassins, on Sunday, killed a medical doctor, Stanley Uche, the proprietor of Victory Christian Hospital, Aba, Abia State.
The medical doctor, who had earlier been abducted by his assailants, was allegedly killed after his abductors had collected N30 million ransom from his wife. The deceased, a gynaecologist, who hails from Mbano in Imo State, was said to be travelling home with his wife on Friday for the burial of his younger sister when they were ambushed by their abductors who had trailed them from Aba.
The News Agency of Nigeria gathered that the slain medical doctor's wife was released later and ordered to source for N50 million to facilitate her husband's freedom. It was also gathered that the young lady only succeeded in delivering N30 million to the abductors on Monday morning at the agreed location.
Sources said that the lady, unaware that her husband had already been killed, had pleaded with the abductors to be allowed to see him, only to be taken to a spot where his corpse was dumped, which she was ordered to take away immediately.
There are speculations within the community that the medical doctor must have been a victim of hired assassins. The Abia State Police Public Relations Officer, Godfrey Ogbonna, told NAN that the command had received a report on the incident from the Osisioma Police Division. He said a team of crack police detectives had been deployed to the area to investigate the incident..
Crime in Mexico City
Mexico has experienced increasingly high crime rates, especially in major urban centers. The country's great economic polarization has stimulated criminal activity in the lower socioeconomic strata, which include the majority of the country's population. Crime continues at high levels, and is repeatedly marked by violence, especially in Mexico City, Tijuana, Ciudad Juárez, Nuevo Laredo, Michoacan, and the state ofSinaloa. Other metropolitan areas have lower, yet still serious, levels of crime. Low apprehension and conviction rates contribute to the high crime rate.
The high incidence of crime in Mexico has also poured across the border and influenced crime in the United States, aggravating problems including drugs, illegal immigration, and gangs. There is some data that indicates crime rates along the U.S. border have decreased and that any perceived notion that crime rate in the United States is not related to the crime rate in Mexico. Over the past several years the United States has seen a significant decrease in its crime rate, especially the violent crime rate. However, that has not stopped the United States from beefing up it's border security to combat this increasing perception and cross-border cooperation has increased between law enforcement agencies in the United States and Mexico in recent years.
source: wikipedia.
Top Murder Countries in the World Nigeria is not on the list but dont be too smug about this maybe the police are not giving the right statistics !
Murders (per capita) (most recent) by country
Rank | Countries | Amount | |
---|---|---|---|
# 1 | Colombia: | 0.617847 per 1,000 people | |
# 2 | South Africa: | 0.496008 per 1,000 people | |
# 3 | Jamaica: | 0.324196 per 1,000 people | |
# 4 | Venezuela: | 0.316138 per 1,000 people | |
# 5 | Russia: | 0.201534 per 1,000 people | |
# 6 | Mexico: | 0.130213 per 1,000 people | |
# 7 | Estonia: | 0.107277 per 1,000 people | |
# 8 | Latvia: | 0.10393 per 1,000 people | |
# 9 | Lithuania: | 0.102863 per 1,000 people | |
# 10 | Belarus: | 0.0983495 per 1,000 people | |
# 11 | Ukraine: | 0.094006 per 1,000 people | |
# 12 | Papua New Guinea: | 0.0838593 per 1,000 people | |
# 13 | Kyrgyzstan: | 0.0802565 per 1,000 people | |
# 14 | Thailand: | 0.0800798 per 1,000 people | |
# 15 | Moldova: | 0.0781145 per 1,000 people | |
# 16 | Zimbabwe: | 0.0749938 per 1,000 people | |
# 17 | Seychelles: | 0.0739025 per 1,000 people | |
# 18 | Zambia: | 0.070769 per 1,000 people | |
# 19 | Costa Rica: | 0.061006 per 1,000 people | |
# 20 | Poland: | 0.0562789 per 1,000 people | |
# 21 | Georgia: | 0.0511011 per 1,000 people | |
# 22 | Uruguay: | 0.045082 per 1,000 people | |
# 23 | Bulgaria: | 0.0445638 per 1,000 people | |
# 24 | United States: | 0.042802 per 1,000 people | |
# 25 | Armenia: | 0.0425746 per 1,000 people | |
# 26 | India: | 0.0344083 per 1,000 people | |
# 27 | Yemen: | 0.0336276 per 1,000 people | |
# 28 | Dominica: | 0.0289733 per 1,000 people | |
# 29 | Azerbaijan: | 0.0285642 per 1,000 people | |
# 30 | Finland: | 0.0283362 per 1,000 people | |
# 31 | Slovakia: | 0.0263303 per 1,000 people | |
# 32 | Romania: | 0.0250784 per 1,000 people | |
# 33 | Portugal: | 0.0233769 per 1,000 people | |
# 34 | Malaysia: | 0.0230034 per 1,000 people | |
# 35 | Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of: | 0.0229829 per 1,000 people | |
# 36 | Mauritius: | 0.021121 per 1,000 people | |
# 37 | Hungary: | 0.0204857 per 1,000 people | |
# 38 | Korea, South: | 0.0196336 per 1,000 people | |
# 39 | Slovenia: | 0.0179015 per 1,000 people | |
# 40 | France: | 0.0173272 per 1,000 people | |
# 41 | Czech Republic: | 0.0169905 per 1,000 people | |
# 42 | Iceland: | 0.0168499 per 1,000 people | |
# 43 | Australia: | 0.0150324 per 1,000 people | |
# 44 | Canada: | 0.0149063 per 1,000 people | |
# 45 | Chile: | 0.014705 per 1,000 people | |
# 46 | United Kingdom: | 0.0140633 per 1,000 people | |
# 47 | Italy: | 0.0128393 per 1,000 people | |
# 48 | Spain: | 0.0122456 per 1,000 people | |
# 49 | Germany: | 0.0116461 per 1,000 people | |
# 50 | Tunisia: | 0.0112159 per 1,000 people | |
# 51 | Netherlands: | 0.0111538 per 1,000 people | |
# 52 | New Zealand: | 0.0111524 per 1,000 people | |
# 53 | Denmark: | 0.0106775 per 1,000 people | |
# 54 | Norway: | 0.0106684 per 1,000 people | |
# 55 | Ireland: | 0.00946215 per 1,000 people | |
# 56 | Switzerland: | 0.00921351 per 1,000 people | |
# 57 | Indonesia: | 0.00910842 per 1,000 people | |
# 58 | Greece: | 0.0075928 per 1,000 people | |
# 59 | Hong Kong: | 0.00550804 per 1,000 people | |
# 60 | Japan: | 0.00499933 per 1,000 people | |
# 61 | Saudi Arabia: | 0.00397456 per 1,000 people | |
# 62 | Qatar: | 0.00115868 per 1,000 people |
Virtual Private Server(VPS) gives users a virtual dedicated environment. A virtual private server, as name suggests, is a method of partitioning a physical server computer into multiple servers such that each appears as an. Each virtual server can run its own full-fledged operating system, and each server can be independently rebooted. Unlike VPS in dedicated hosting the client leases an entire physical server not shared with anyone.
Simply put, a VPS simulates a private server in that you, the site owner, can deploy whatever software you want or need to continue growing an e-biz. This isn’t possible with shared hosting plans which limit you to the software options offered by the hosting company, thus limiting the database, checkout and other software you use.
Over the past four years a quiet revolution has been taking place in the hosting industry. Virtual Private Servers have been steadily changing the hosting landscape. The trend below gives some idea..
If you can identify with any of these statements, VPS might be right for you:
- “I can’t afford a dedicated server, but I need many of the features of dedicated hosting, such as installing a specific operating system and software.”
- “I know what I’m doing and need full root access.”
- “I don’t feel comfortable hosting on the same system as thousands of other websites.”
- “I need more system resources, like CPU and RAM, than low-cost shared hosting can provide.”
- “I know how to implement exactly what I need on the server, and I need the administrative power to get it done.”
- “I need to run programs on the server that are not allowed or supported by shared web hosting providers.”
Although I am somewhat of a new user to the container world I thought I'd write a short article giving an overview of why use container instead of dedicated servers for those of you who are involved in the hosting business or people thinking about leasing a container server. Here I will address misconceptions I had about container and talk about how my perspective on container is changing.
Who am I? This article originally written by Marc Perkel - a new container user - expressing my overview of OpenVZ from my perspective as a new user talking to other new users about my experience in learning this new environment. I am not an OpenVZ expert and I want to write this while I'm still new to OpenVZ so I can express my view from a new user's perspective. If you are just reading about container for the first time I am not that far ahead of you. This article is an attempt by me to give back a little to those who created this free software and give you new people an overview of the big picture as I learn this myself.
http://static.openvz.org/bg/openvz-logo-bg-trans.png); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: 100% 100%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; ">Contents[hide] |
[edit]Why use Virtual Private Servers instead of Dedicated Servers
Like many of you when I first heard of the idea of container I pictured it is some small lame server that is sold to 12 year olds trying to start hosting companies on the cheap. It had never quite caught my attention until I decided I needed a remote name server and all I needed was enough of a server to run bind, but didn't want to buy a dedicated box just to do that. So I got a container based on Virtuozzo for $80/year and it worked great.
In the process however I started understanding the container concept and it became apparent that this is more than just a tool to create little servers. The way I see it container can replace dedicated servers in many situations in a data center and do a better job than dedicated. You can actually give the customer more horsepower and better hosting than selling them a small dedicated box. (Of course big customers will still need their own server.)
I don't own a data center business myself but I have a friend who does and I colo several servers there. He has several racks of some old Celeron boxes with 512 mgs of ram and one or two 80 gig drives depending on if the customer has any concept of backups, which most of them don't. I'm looking at the racks of Celerons and P4s thinking that each rack could be consolidated into a single modern server and that the customers would actually have a better server than the one they are on now. And the cost saving is tremendous.
[edit]Advantages of container
Most small dedicated servers are a waste of resources. People buy bigger servers than they need and the excess capacity is wasted. These servers take both space and power which is expensive in a data center and you have hardware costs associated with each server that you have to recoup. People often don't do any backups so after several years the hard drive fails and they lose everything. And it's your fault for not backing them up in the first place.
Imagine a rack of 16 Celeron boxes with 80 gig drives being replaced by a Dual Core Athlox X2 with 8 gigs of ram and 4 500gb SATA 2 drives running in a raid 10 configuration. (Writing this in Feb of 2007 for future historians who will read this and laugh at the old days when computers had just gigabytes.) The above server would cost about $2000 to build and only take 2U of space and use far less power than the 16 machines that are being replaced.
Note that I'm suggesting in this example only a 16 to 1 consolidation. Everyone has the same amount of ram. In reality the consolidation is many times higher because most of those using the Celerons are not using all the memory. Many are using only 1/5 of what they have and a lot of that is used by the individual kernels running. In OpenVZ there is one kernel for everyone.
Note also that many of these servers have idle time where the processor is doing nothing and they have lots of extra hard drive space that isn't being used. By consolidating these systems the free resources are combined allowing you to run many more logical servers that each have more resources than the individual servers.
On a dedicated computer the user is stuck with an old slow 32 bit processor, a limited amount of ram, and an old slow hard drive with no backups. In a container that same user is running on a shared dual core 64 bit CPU sharing 8 gigs of ram with fast modern large hard drives with raid backup. That is a significant improvement over having their own dedicated box. So this is a better deal for the customer.
[edit]Administration Advantages
If a customer needs you to fix something on their dedicated server you have to either know the root password or take the server down and boot from a rescue CD to get in and fix it. You also can't access the customer's files without logging in to their server as root. In a container you as host can enter their server at any time without a password. (Keeping the host environment very secure of course.) That allows you to do maintenance without having to look up the person's root password.
[edit]Ease of Setup
Setup couldn't be easier as compared to building a dedicated server. All you have to do is type a few commands and the new virtual server is ready to go. You can have the customer running while you are still on the phone taking the order. A dedicated box requires setup, installation, and often has to be scheduled. This involves cost and time. container is ready instantly and easily. Any distro you want with all the latest updates installed. When a customer places an order they want it now. With container you can deliver it now.
[edit]Backup Advantages
Additionally you can access the customers files directly from the host environment. This allows you to run rsync scripts to back up all the virtual servers to external storage or backup servers without the customer being aware that you are doing sophisticated backups. Then when the customer calls you up in a panic and says, "I totally screwed up my server and deleted a bunch of files by accident. Can you get it back?" You can magically restore their lost data and you are forever their hero.
[edit]IP Allocation Advantages
Tired of allocating 4 IP addresses just to give the customer 1 usable? Or giving them 8 so they have 5 usable and most of them only use one? How inefficient is that? With OpenVZ you can allocate IP addresses individually so that if a customer only needs one IP then they get only 1 IP. But if they need 9 IP addresses you can give them exactly 9 of them. They can call you up and say I need one more IP and you can give it to them in seconds. On a dedicated server if you gave them a /29 vlan and they are using all 5 IPs and they need another one - that is a huge hassle.
[edit]Disk Space Allocation
On dedicated servers you have to install a big hard drive that is mostly wasted. If the customer wants backups then it's two hard drives. In OpenVZ you just allocate space in the raid array based on what the customer actually needs and they only use the space that they use rather than what's allocated. The "allocation" is really just a software limit and that is a line in a text file that you can instantly change the moment the customer needs more space. On a dedicatd box if the customer needs a bigger drive then it's a trip to the data center with a new drive and a few hours time to copy everything over and replacing the drive, not to mention the down time.
[edit]Memory Upgrades
Memory upgrades are as easy as hard drive upgrades. Just one command than the user has more ram. But what if the server is full and you don't have any more ram? No problem. Just copy the user's container (virtual environment) over to another physical server with rsync and start them up there. In only a few minutes you've migrated them to a new box and they are up and running.
[edit]Migration
Suppose a customer just needs a bigger server. Migration is easy in the container environment because the container is consistent between servers. You just copy over the files and start it up. You don't have to build a new server, install an OS, copy it all over, and then mess with it for an hour getting everything to work.
[edit]Emergency Procedures
Let's say that a server fries. With container and good backups you have more options. You can copy the backup of the container onto another server and restore it as of the last (nightly) backup. (I'm a backup freak - but it pays.) That gets the customers up instantly if they need that while a tech can go down there and fix the server with less pressure. This give you more options when bad things happen.
[edit]Load Balancing
OpenVZ allows you to migrate servers live from one physical server to another. I haven't yet done that but I have done a shutdown, copy, and restart of the container on another server and it's so easy to do that. So suppose you have a server that's a little crowded and some user starts hogging some resources. No problem. You just move a few users to another box and problem solved. This could probably be done automatically with some well configured cluster and I would love it if someone wrote a wiki page telling us how to do it.
[edit]Protecting your Customers
Since you are managing the host system you can create IP filters and port blocking policies that help keep users from exploiting you or keep hackers from exploiting your users. Instead of a separate box that is all theirs you have them in a more managed shell allowing you to keep the inexperienced out of trouble. This provides them with a service that watched it more closely allowing them to do their own thing, but keeping you closer by to keep them out of trouble.
[edit]Cost
The cost savings are rather obvious. An entire rack compressed into one or two computers. Picture the space and power savings. The greenhouse gas not being generated by the power you're not using. The number of computers that you are not buying. The hours you are saving in setup time and administrative time. When it comes to saving money this is definitely a winner. You can take that extra money and pass some on to customers and keep some extra for yourself.
[edit]The Down Side
Any time you add another layer then you have another layer of things that can go wrong. It takes some learning to understand the process and there is the possibility that one person can screw up the system for everyone. As virtualization develops it will get better. OpenVZ is very stable in that it is far less intrusive than other virtualization methods. It is limited to Linux only so BSD and Windows users will have to do something else.
[edit]Conclusion
I believe that container represents the future of computing. The space, power, and cost savings are too great to ignore. I see data centers that are massive clusters running tens of thousands of logical servers that transparently migrate around the physical resources and are up 100% of the time. Customers no longer will have to deal with issues of backups the way they have to now, and it will simplify the hosting process. I think that every data center should be looking into virtualization technology now with the idea that you are going to be doing this and it's time to at least start thinking about it and exploring it with an eye towards the future.
I have to say that my view of container has radically changed and that I now see this as a solution not just for people wanting little servers but for most everyone who is looking for dedicated service. container is a different way of looking at the computing world and it takes some significant mental adjustment and education to grasp the big picture.
[edit]container Hosting Providers
MALE PROCEDURE:
1. Drive up to the cash machine.
2. Put down your car window.
3. Insert card into machine and enter PIN.
4. Enter amount of cash required and withdraw.
5. Retrieve card, cash and receipt.
6. Put window up.
7. Drive off.
FEMALE PROCEDURE:
1. Drive up to cash machine.
2. Reverse and back up the required amount to align car window with the machine.
3. Set parking brake, put the window down.
4. Find handbag, remove all contents on to passenger seat to locate card.
5. Tell person on cell phone you will call them back and hang up
6. Attempt to insert card into machine.
7. Open car door to allow easier access to machine due to its excessive distance from the car.
8. Insert card.
9. Re-insert card the right way.
10. Dig through handbag to find diary with your PIN written on the inside back page.
11. Enter PIN.
12. Press cancel and re-enter correct PIN.
13. Enter amount of cash required.
14. Check makeup in rear view mirror.
15. Retrieve cash and receipt.
16. Empty handbag again to locate wallet and place cash inside.
17. Write debit amount in check register and place receipt in back of checkbook.
18. Re-check makeup.
19. Drive forward 2 feet.
20. Reverse back to cash machine.
21. Retrieve card.
22. Re-empty hand bag, locate card holder, and place card into the slot provided.
23. Give dirty look to irate male driver waiting behind you.
24. Restart stalled engine and pull off.
25. Redial person on cell phone.
26. Drive for 2 to 3 miles.
27. Release Parking Brake.
AS greedy and disobedient children were viewed at Sparta with the contempt they deserved, all the boys were trained to obey at a word, whatever the order given, and were allowed only the plainest and scantiest food.
Strange to relate, the Spartans also trained their boys to steal. They praised them when they succeeded in [65] doing so without being found out, and punished them only when caught in the act. The reason for this queer custom was this: the people were often engaged in war, and as they had no baggage wagons following their army, and no special officer to furnish food, they had to depend entirely upon the provisions they could get on their way.
Whenever an army came in sight, the people hid not only their wealth, but also their food; and, had not the Spartan soldiers been trained to steal, they would often have suffered much from hunger when they were at war.
To test the courage of the Spartan boys, their teachers never allowed them to have a light, and often sent them out alone in the middle of the night, on errands which they had to do as best they could.
Then, too, once a year all the boys were brought to the Temple of Diana, where their courage was further tried by a severe flogging; and those who stood this whipping without a tear or moan were duly praised. The little Spartan boys were so eager to be thought brave, that it is said that some let themselves be flogged to death rather than complain.
The bravery of one of these boys was so wonderful that you will find it mentioned in nearly every Greek history you read. This little fellow had stolen a live fox, and hidden it in the bosom of his dress, on his way to school.
The imprisoned fox, hoping to escape, began to gnaw a hole in the boy's chest, and to tear his flesh with his sharp claws; but, in spite of the pain, the lad sat still, and let the fox bite him to death.
[66] It was only when he fell lifeless to the floor that the teachers found the fox, and saw how cruelly he had torn the brave little boy to pieces. Ever since then, when boys stand pain bravely and without wincing, they have been called little Spartans, in memory of this lad.
In order that the boys should be taught to behave well under all circumstances, they were never allowed to speak except when spoken to, and then their answers were expected to be as short and exact as possible.
This style of speaking, where much was said in few words, was so usual in the whole country of Laconia, that it is still known as the laconic style.
To train them in this mode of speech, the elders daily made the boys pass an oral examination, asking them any questions they could think of. The boys had to answer promptly, briefly, and carefully; and if they failed to do so, it was considered a great disgrace.
These daily questionings were meant to sharpen their wits, strengthen their memories, and teach them how to think and decide quickly and correctly.
The Spartan youths were further taught to treat all their elders with the greatest respect; and it must have been a pretty sight to see all these manly fellows respectfully saluting all the old people they met, and even stopping their play to make way for them when they came on the street.
To strengthen their muscles, the boys were also carefully trained in gymnastics. They could handle weapons, throw heavy weights, wrestle, run with great speed, swim, jump, and ride, and were experts in all exercises which tended to make them strong, active, and well.
CONFESSION OF AN IJAW KID
Little Diepriye came into the kitchen where his mother was making dinner.
His birthday was coming up and he thought this was a good time to tell his mother what he wanted.
"Mom, I want a bike for my birthday." Little Priye was a bit of a troublemaker.
He had gotten into trouble at school and at home.
Priye's mother asked him if he thought he deserved to get a bike for his birthday. Little Priye, of course, thought he did.
Priye's mother wanted Priye to reflect on his behavior over the last year.
"Go to your room, Priye, and think about how you have behaved this year.
Then write an email to God and tell him why you deserve a bike for your birthday." Little Priye stomped up the steps to the computer and sat down to type God an email.
Email 1 Dear God, I have been a very good boy this year and I would like a bike for my birthday. I want a red one.
Your friend, Priye
Priye knew that this wasn't true. He had not been a very good boy this year, so he deleted the email and started over.
Email 2 Dear God; This is your friend Priye. I have been a good boy this year and I would like a red bike for my birthday.
Thank you.
Your friend Priye
Priye knew that this wasn't true either. So, he deleted the email and started again.
email 3 Dear God; I have been an "OK "boy this year. I still would really like a bike for my birthday.
Priye
Priye knew he could not send this email to God either. So, Priye wrote a fourth email.
email 4 God, I know I haven't been a good boy this year. I am very sorry. I will be a good boy if you just send me a bike for my birthday.
Please!
Thank you, Priye
Priye knew, even if it was true, this email was not going to get him a bike.
Now, Priye was very upset. He went downstairs and told his mom that he wanted to go to church. Priye's mother thought her plan had worked, as Priye looked very sad.
"Just be home in time for dinner," Priye's mother told him.
Priye walked down the street to the church on the corner.
Little Priye went into the church and up to the altar. He looked around to see if anyone was there. Priye bent down and picked up a statue of the Mary. He slipped the statue under his shirt and ran out of the church, down the street, into the house, and up to his room. He shut the door to his room and sat down . Priye began to write his email to God.
email 5 God, I’VE KIDNAPPED YOUR MAMA. IF YOU WANT TO SEE HER AGAIN, SEND THE BIKE!!!!!!!! !!
The hit man.
Diepriye
ps If the Angels are busy please send money for the bike by western union
priye pressed send ! to BabaGod@gmail.com cc:BabaGod@yahoo.com , BabaGod@hotmail.com
As soon as my o2 and fever was registered, along with a cursory glance at my considerable lengthy doctor's note from home detailing my condition, meds, procedures, etc, I was immediately whisked to a private room where I was given quicker and more efficient care than I have received at my very own ER that I've been going to for 13 years.
They placed my port without incident, drew two blood gases, started me on oxygen and antibiotics, and escorted me to a pulmonary ward upstairs where I was placed in another private room. For 9 days I was a patient and by day three, I was already fretting about the looming medical bill. I was put on the exact medicines that I receive at home so I knew how expensive this could possibly me, and I only brought $20,000 worth of health insurance with me. Once my o2 eclipsed 92% without the aid of oxygen I was discharged and allowed to board my flight back home from Paris a few days later.
Before I left, though, I had to go to "facturaziation," or billing. Sitting there with my spanish speaking friend, we anxiously looked at each other hoping my life wouldn't be drowned in a sea of medical bills. The lady furiously typed away at the computer, shaked her head a few times, and finally wrote down a number. I looked away at first. Finally, I looked down:
.
Total cost for 9 days in a private room, overnight stay in ER, multiple procedures involving blood gases, sputum cultures, xrays and blood, and a litany of IV meds and other assorted antibiotics: $3,400.
I almost fell out of my chair and had to ask her to repeat herself. She started laughing, "what did you expect?" I told her at home in America, my hospital stays run upwards of $100k+ with home therapy costing over $35k a week.
She printed out the receipt and my jaw dropped. Drugs that cost over a $1,000 here were $20. IV meds that didn't work were not included in the bill. No procedures were included. The ER visit and stay was free. The most expensive aspect was the room, a paltry $319 a night.
I paid with my American Express, did a happy dance, and went back to France.
Yeah, we're #1! I'm still in shock. I'm bringing the bill to my doctors appointment today.