Sam's right that the easiest (and most helpful) way to create backups was via SFTP. I am kicking myself that I wasn't doing so - we had backups on the actual hosting in case the wiki got completely trashed or went wrong during an upgrade, but unless one of the other 3 or 4 people who had access made offsites then we're a bit stuck.
I'm the one who made the choice to install Moin on the old site. I had
Jonathan,
In the cold light of day, that was an over-reaching part of my rant. Whilst it wasn't my first choice, MoinMoin did the job as required - the fact that it's been up there for three years is testament to that. I also fully appreciate that you were the only one willing to step up and do /anything/ at all to my pleas for something we could all get involved with at the time. You've also been the one to address the problems since the install, like spam, and have been nothing but professional.
My apologies for suggesting there was anything wrong with that choice of wiki.
I also don't have any expectations that anyone with access to the site should necessarily have been taking regular backups.
My complaint is purely and simply about the choice of hosting provider. Companies don't do stuff for free. If an "arrangement" is made between an ALUGer and someone at the company, that's fine. However, if one of those people leaves (either at the company or from ALUG) then that arrangement is at risk. It is not an unfortunate accident that the hosting company has pulled the hosting - it was almost inevitable they would do so eventually when someone less favourable to our group noticed they were providing it for free. The unfortunate part is that they gave no notice, and seemingly won't allow access to the data but it's hard to hold that against them. This was a manageable issue that could have been avoided. In hindsight, I'm sure we would have been better off if you had taken over the site and put it on your server, as you remain an active member of ALUG. If I'd known that there was no longer a working relationship between ALUG and the old hosting provider, I'd've voted for you. ;)
I've said my piece which I feel I have justification for, given how much I contributed of my own time.
Looking to the future, I would ask whether putting the new site on a member's server is really learning the lesson. If something were to happen to Jonathan (sincerely hope not), there is a danger I assume of the same thing happening again. Unlikely, but there it is. Why not sign up for something like lug.org.uk third party hosting, which isn't tied to one ALUG member?
Peter.