I'm the "tech beat" editor for the English Wikipedia's Signpost newspaper.  In the weekly tech reports, we can mention things going on with the toolserver when I'm aware of them.  Being aware of things generally means reading the mailing list and blogs.   (I have added the toolserver blog to http://open.wikiblogplanet.com/)

The Signpost also runs special stories on occassion for tech topics.  I would be happy to run something about the toolserver.  If you would answer some questions, I could turn the answers into a signpost article.  The article could take an "interview" format like the WikiProject reports.  (e.g. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Wikipedia_Signpost/2009-05-25/WikiProject_report)  or I can turn it into another format (especially if others give input).

Anyway, here are some questions:

* What is the toolserver? (e.g., it's not just one server but several...)

* What is the purpose of the toolserver? / what we do?

* How does the toolserver operate? (e.g. it has replicated copies of the wiki databases, minus the full text, to allow people to develop tools.  The servers are located in Amsterdam)

* Who runs it?  / who are we? / how is it funded?

* What is your role with the toolserver?

* How did the toolserver get started?

* How do Wikipedian's get accounts on the toolserver?  What are the requirements and approval process?

* If one gets an account, what are the responsibilities?  I know accounts had to be reconfirmed, are there resource limits such as disk space limits for each user? or what?

* Who is the person to contact when things break?

* We already are aware of the map toolserver project, but along with that, some other new hardware was recently ordered?  What's the purpose of the new hardware? 

* What's coming in the pipeline (in the future)?

* Anything else people should know about the toolserver?

These could be answered via e-mail, or on my wiki page:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Aude/Toolserver

If I can get answers within the next day, this could run in tomorrow's edition of the Signpost.  Otherwise, it can run next week or whenever.

-Aude