I'm currently setting up the server at the moment, and it should be around by the end of the weekend. Here's what I have planned:
HARDWARE
The server is currently a PIII-800... but this is a loaner, and if
they ever ask for it back, it'll go back.. and I'll put the harddrive in a
spare P100. Hopefully I can collect enough money together to build a whole new complete box, I only need $500 or so (donations anyone? :)
ACCOUNTS
Accounts will be verified automatically, but created manually.
Usernames will be consistant between the dev server and the production server, all users on the development server must have a livejournal account and be a member of lj-dev. Shell access -will- be provided.
SECURITY
The development server will be a part of Livejournal. Thus, any
hacking, attempts at hacking, or installation of 'bad software' (Bouncer, irc bots, port scanners, etc) will result in the suspension of your Livejournal account along with your development account.
DEVELOPMENT
No files will be edited manually. Everything must be edited with RCS. If this scares you, don't panic :) It just means that using 'pico', 'vi', or whatever your favorite editor is will also ask you for a comment to explain why your editing the file. This will then record WHO edited the file, what they edited, and why. If, at any time, someone totally screws a file up they can use another command to 'revert' to the previous version.
Apache will be modified, so that internal server error messages
will include DETAILED information, along with the name and comment of the user who last edited the file that gave the error. This will make debugging a hell of a lot easier :)