Now that FOSS4G-2009 is finished and has been well received, it may be time to start thinking about which directions we want to take OSGeo-AustNZ.<br><br>There appears to be a definite desire for information and workshops on OSGeo projects in our region.<br>
<br>Perhaps Shaun Kolomeitz and Simon Hope have hit on a good way of building the Australian and New Zealand communities by targeting local groups? However I feel we should keep the AustNZ focus to keep the overall momentum going (as per Open Source Industry Australia).<br>
<br>Alternate between informal sessions at the pub and info sessions hosted by kind benefactors?<br><br>Borrowing from a successful format that I saw in the early 1990's (G.T.), for info sessions, it may be good to focus on demonstrating solutions to problems and finishing with "oh and by the way, we used these OSGeo projects to do this". This could be followed by dedicated "under to hood" [1] sessions for more detail if required.<br>
<br><br><br><br>For 2010, a few of us have volunteered to help Ben Searle with Spatial@Gov. We will probably have an OSGeo presence and workshops there.<br><br><br><br>Lets get some thoughts going...<br><br><br><br><br><br>
On another note, at FOSS4G, Arnulf Christl suggested that we may wish to consider running another regional FOSS4G event in two years time.<br><br>I canvased a few people at FOSS4G and believe that we'd get a few key Developers / Vendors back here if we did.<br>
<br>I think that if we were to do this, running it in New Zealand this time would be ideal.<br><br>Is there any interest in this? This could become a regular event if there is sufficient interest.<br><br><br><br><br>Bruce<br>
<br><br>[1] I hope you don't mind my using the term Ian and Ben J<br><br>