Why was my question about a MySQL Server Instance configuration moved to Super User?

Question

The question, as it was on ServerFault can be found here and the SuperUser version can be found here. It's clearly server related - I'm trying to establish a local database server for use in development. This is the same software that resides on servers that power websites and enterprise applications - if anyone was to be able to answer my question, it would be the people who regularly install and maintain database servers, not the typical household PC user that you can find on SuperUser.

My understanding is that ServerFault is for server and commercial-grade networking questions, and this is clearly a server question. The name of the software is "MySQL Server Instance Configuration and I'm attempting to use this software in a professional (as opposed to individual/personal) capacity. Because of this, I would like this question moved back here. Is this possible?

Before I posted my question on ServerFault, I went through this thought process when reading the FAQ:

Server Fault is for system administrators and IT professionals, people who manage or maintain computers in a professional capacity. If you are in charge of …

I am currently acting in the role of system administrator for a network of two computers that I am using as development environments for software development. Although I'm not getting paid to do it, I am clearly a system administrator of these machines and am attempting to manage and maintain them in a professional capacity (as opposed to recreational or entertainment use) - I'm trying to further my abilities professionally as a software engineer by taking on personal development projects.

servers

networks

many desktop PCs

(other than your own) … then you're in the right place to ask your question! Well, as long as the question is about your servers, your networks, or desktops you support, anyway.

I'm attempting to install server software on a computer. I interpret this as an "or" statement - if I meet one criteria for a given question, my question is within the scope of ServerFault. I do admit that I own the machines. But so would a system administrator if he was the owner or co-owner of a business. The software and hardware in question is supported by me.

The only possible point of contention to topicality is the number of conditions that must be met. I feel that as long as one is met, the question is on topic. If I'm running a server (whether it's Apache HTTP Server, a MySQL Server, a MS-SQL Server, or a PostgreSQL Server) or if I'm running a network in a professional capacity (I wouldn't try to pass off my cobbled together network solution in my house as a professionally run network - I would take those questions to SuperUser) or if I'm working across multiple computers, my question is fair game for being on-topic. However, a strict interpretation would require that two or even all three conditions are met - if you aren't running your systems in an enterprise environment, take it to SuperUser. I believe that the fact that I met one of these conditions in a capacity directly related to me functioning professionally, I've met the criteria for being on-topic.

Please note that Server Fault is not for general computer troubleshooting questions; if you paid for that desktop hardware, and it's your personal workstation, it is unlikely that your question is appropriate for Server Fault.

It's not a general troubleshooting question. I have a specific question regarding a piece of server software and it's installation/configuration. Yes, it says that my question is not likely to be appropriate, but every other condition has been met.

Please do look around to see if your question has already been asked (and maybe even answered!) before you ask. It's also perfectly fine to ask and answer your own question, as long as you pretend you're on Jeopardy: phrase it in the form of a question.

My specific question has not been answered, but there are indeed a number of other questions relating to supporting MySQL Server installations, both the freely available GA release and the commercially supported software packages.

Answer 1

This was mentioned already, but I wanted to be very concise. Admins in the field will not (in general) install ANY server apps onto desktop OSs. Whether or not you feel that this is true, or fair, or relevant demonstrates a lack of broad, practical experience.

That's ok.

As others have stated, SU - as a hobbyist site - has a lot to offer in terms of advice on nonstandard or unsupported configs. Often, the problem is with people perceiving SU experts as 'lesser' somehow. They have different skillsets. Fact is, you have a much better chance of finding someone who's got experience with that scenario on SU than SF.

No offense intended, but you're installing something with 'server' in its name doesn't make the activity 'server administration' any more than standing in a garage makes me a car. Perl is technically programming, but if I took such questions to SO, I hope they'd migrate it to SF. Hopefully that makes it a little clearer.

Answer 2

However, configuring an environment to support software development is a professional concern

But that was not what your question was about. Your question basically is just the install failed, how do I fix it. Nothing about they way you asked the question tells me that it is about system administration. You aren't asking about permissions, or optimization, backups or anything that really would fit into system administration.

The answer to your question has more to do with desktop support then system administration. Most likely you have some security tool running, or permissions messed up. Or perhaps you downloaded a bad copy of the file.

Honestly the question as written isn't that great and may not get a good answer anywhere. I doubt anyone can give you a good answer since we don't have enough information.

Answer 3

The discussion about more basic questions on Server Fault is currently going on at Perception of purpose . One complaint is about Server Fault being "Developer Support" which it really should not be. It is a place for professional system administrators to answer questions of other system administrators (regardless of level it seems so far). I am guessing that might have been Jeff's reason but I can't say for sure.

As far as people setting up MySQL on Super User they do it all the time. It is used for the backend of things like MythTV etc.

Answer 4

I can't speak for Jeff but if i was to guess would be that you are not talking about a server OS, and not talking about deploying mysql to many desktops.

from the FAQ

Please note that Server Fault is not for general computer troubleshooting questions

Which from the first paragraph of your question this seems to be. At best it is a borderline question since you are dealing wtih mysql server on a desktop. I probably would have voted to move to SU though.

---

in response to the comment thread.
There are two components to "does the question fit here" when we are talking about desktops.

1. Who is my audience, or more appropriately would this audience be a suitable set of people to answer my question.
2. What is the scope of the question.

I would weight these 80% scope, 20% audience.

For criteria 1: With your particular question, I would say ... maybe, yes the people here have a lot of experience with MySQL, however this is balanced by the fact that probably 90% of that experience is on Server class hardware and software.

For criteria 2: No your question does not fit the scope of the site at all.

For example, lets take these two very generic questions:

I'm trying to install $program on $DesktopOS. When i install, I'm having $problem

This is a question who's scope is that of a single user having an issue on a single machine. It is definitely not in SF's scope. The answer is going to be a fix applied to a particular workstation once.

Now, consider the following

I'm trying to install $program on 1000 desktops running $DesktopOS the package gets pushed fine, but then $problem happens

This second example is definitely withing scope of SF.

You are focusing on the less important audience part, where for desktop OS issues scoping is much more important.