18 votes
Accepted

Where do I ask odd systemd questions?

We like interesting IT questions. You can certainly ask complex or unusual questions about how various aspects of systemd work. But to be sure you get a good answer, you should include as much detail ...
Michael Hampton's user avatar
17 votes

New "Mainframes" Proposal — PASSED

This is one of those areas where logical and emotional approaches give different answers. Logically, much of what mainframes deal with is entirely topical here and we welcome them. Emotionally, they'...
sysadmin1138's user avatar
  • 134k
10 votes

email forwarding services - on topic?

Yes, questions to learn about what criteria to apply when searching for a service are on-topic. You should make it extra clear that you are not looking for specific recommendations.
Sven's user avatar
  • 99.5k
10 votes
Accepted

Is purpose evaluation required for answering a question?

There's no separate rule for banning policy circumvention, it comes under the banner of "professional sysadmin". We don't consider it a professional behaviour to attempt to circumvent organisational ...
womble's user avatar
  • 97k
8 votes

New "Mainframes" Proposal — PASSED

Background: Long ago at University I was a mainframe user and spent some time learning about the IBM and compatible systems the university had and a bit about their operating systems. Later (but stll ...
Ward - Trying Codidact's user avatar
8 votes

Is such a question going to be on-topic here?

Without seeing your actual question it's difficult to tell. The best thing to do is just ask and see how the community responds to it. It may though, fall foul of Requests for product, service, or ...
user9517's user avatar
  • 116k
6 votes

can I ask about configuring Server applications on a regular PC

I would vote to close a question that uses a client OS in as a server OS. Other people's mileage may vary.
user9517's user avatar
  • 116k
5 votes

New "Mainframes" Proposal — PASSED

There are a lot of terms and phrases there I've been happy to forget since moving on from mainframe ops. Without commenting on the specific questions, in theory mainframe questions in general are ...
Rob Moir's user avatar
  • 32k
5 votes

Question considered off-topic

Because trying to use a non-powershell command line on a 17 year old, unsupported Windows server is the poster child for the reasonable information technology management practices close reason.
Rob Moir's user avatar
  • 32k
4 votes
Accepted

can I ask about configuring Server applications on a regular PC

I would probably answer that question. I've answered questions about SQL Server on client OSes for applications here. That's probably just me, though. When I do, they often get migrated to DBA....
Katherine Villyard's user avatar
4 votes

Is such a question going to be on-topic here?

So you want to develop a... monitoring and/or alerting service? O...K. I'd recommend buying my book titled: The Wheel, and How to Reinvent It. Like Iain said, it's hard to say for sure without ...
HopelessN00b's user avatar
4 votes

New "Mainframes" Proposal — PASSED

Are the example questions predominantly on topic (and welcome) on Serverfault No, I don't think so. Several of them are shopping questions (eg "Where can I find free online IBM Mainframe Manuals and ...
womble's user avatar
  • 97k
3 votes
Accepted

Can I ask for help on choosing a load average threshold?

Yah, seems like you've done your homework. Go ahead and ask. Be sure to provide as much detail as you can, including your thought process and what you've already tried to implement thus far.
EEAA's user avatar
  • 110k
3 votes
Accepted

Are questions asking about reading metadata business questions?

This question would be rejected for being about a server running DirectAdmin, a web hosting control panel. See Where can I ask questions about web hosting control panels? for further information about ...
Michael Hampton's user avatar
3 votes
Accepted

Question considered off-topic

This is a case where Stack Exchange's desire to be nicer leads to confusion. I forget the explanation of why it's nicer, but details of why a question was closed are hidden from anyone with less than ...
Ward - Trying Codidact's user avatar
2 votes

Where is the best place to ask question about servers but also when "learning new things"?

There are a variety of sites more welcoming of learners: For general Ubuntu-related issues, try Ask Ubuntu For nerdy Linux/Unix related questions, try Unix & Linux For automating management of ...
sysadmin1138's user avatar
  • 134k
2 votes

New "Mainframes" Proposal — PASSED

So my question is: are topics that won't fit serverfault (too broad, too basic) combined with inherent community a good reason for an own site? Or would these questions be automatically "bad, should ...
Simon Sobisch's user avatar
1 vote

New "Mainframes" Proposal — PASSED

The proposal has already passed, but I'll give my $0.02 anyway. The mainframe is quite unique in that it jobs roles are often quite distinct, but solutions cross these boundaries. To solve a problem, ...
Chris Poole's user avatar

Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible