[OSGeo-Discuss] some post-FOSS4G thoughts

Daniel Ames amesdani at isu.edu
Tue Oct 7 11:07:59 PDT 2008


I'll make another plug for Helena's suggestion on the conference list that
an International FOSS4g be offered every other year. In alternate years
members would be encouraged to run regional and/or project specific small
conferences... - Dan

On Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 12:04 PM, Landon Blake <lblake at ksninc.com> wrote:

>  I really think the best solution to this issue would be smaller, regional
> conferences. Perhaps this could be an issue that could be tackled by local
> OSGeo Chapters?
>
>
>
> It would be cool if we could get a point location and radius of acceptable
> travel from each OSGeo member. You could then determine which host cities
> for a local or regional conference would impact the most users.
>
>
>
> Landon
>
>
>  ------------------------------
>
> *From:* discuss-bounces at lists.osgeo.org [mailto:
> discuss-bounces at lists.osgeo.org] *On Behalf Of *Daniel Ames
> *Sent:* Tuesday, October 07, 2008 10:49 AM
> *To:* OSGeo Discussions
> *Cc:* conference_dev
> *Subject:* Re: [OSGeo-Discuss] some post-FOSS4G thoughts
>
>
>
> Another consideration: my students who attended last week said that the mix
> of GISSA with FOSS4g was EXCELLENT.  The really liked having the business
> GIS users/non-FOSS people there. In fact, doing a joint conference like this
> gave the FOSS folks lots of great proselytizing opportunities that they
> wouldn't otherwise have. So that was a GREAT idea the South Africa group
> had.  Good job.
>
>
>
> One more thing... We should be careful talking about having conferences
> "closer". Come on folks, as geo-people you all know that "closer" is
> relative to your datum...  There is a huge growing GIS interest in China
> right now. Wouldn't it be cool to have FOSS4g there one year?
>
>
>
> So a public "Thanks" to the SA organizers, and a "Good luck!" to the
> Aussies... and as for 2010?  Anyone interested in Beijing? How about Idaho?
> :)
>
>
>
> - Dan
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 8:42 AM, Gavin Fleming <GavinF at mintek.co.za> wrote:
>
> This thread has been doing the rounds on the conference_dev list as well
>
> Some of my thoughts in the aftermath of FOSS4G 2008.
>
> I have heard very positive feedback from all quarters. As Arnulf alluded
> to in the AGM, I believe the decision to host in an 'untested' location
> WORKED. The mix of FOSS and proprietary worlds WORKED. The mix of the
> full-spectrum ecosystem from geek to user to academic to businessperson
> to government official WORKED.
>
> It WORKED on so many levels we'll be seeing positive spin-offs for years
> to come.
>
> Business people loved meeting developers and picking up the sense of
> community.
>
> Developers loved being with other developers and interacting with users
> and funders.  And we did manage a code sprint of around 40 people.
> http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/FOSS4G2008_CodeSprint
>
> Cost:
> -Registration was well within the limits set by OSGeo of $600. It was
> NOT the deciding factor for most people. Academics and students got 50%
> discount, but these were a minority.
> -Travel was THE deciding factor.
> -Accommodation: yes, 'official' hotels where our agents got block
> bookings were not exactly budget prices (global tourist destination in
> high season) but we advertised and listed many links for organising
> one's own cheap accommodation from backpackers to B&Bs. So that should
> not have been a factor.
> -with more sponsorship we would have loved to support those who could
> not afford it. Luckily many who asked made a plan of their own.
>
> By its nature, a moving conference will be expensive to get to from many
> places. But it will be cheap and accessible to regional attendees and
> that's the point. That's part of OSGeo's mission.
>
> The value of bringing FOSS4G to South Africa (or Sydney or other future
> global venues) far outweighs the 'cost' to a few who could not make it.
> Sydney will be in the same boat next year - far from almost everywhere.
> But they're already focussing on Australia/NZ and Southeast Asia. And a
> core contingent of OSGeo techies WILL make it to FOSS4G each year. And
> there you have the magic mix.
>
> So, from me:
> -keep FOSS4G roaming the globe annually
> -stimulate and support local or regional events whenever and wherever
> they emerge
> -keep the FOSS4G mix as it is - don't split along a perceived
> technical-business divide.
> -put out RFPs even earlier to allow time to secure cheap venues, big
> sponsorships, optimal scheduling, etc. A case in point is
> http://www.igarss09.org/ where the conference was awarded years back
> enabling the hosting of thousands at a cheap venue (university).
>
> Gavin Fleming
>
>
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> --
> Daniel P. Ames PhD, PE
> Department of Geosciences
> Idaho State University - Idaho Falls
> amesdani at isu.edu
> www.MapWindow.org
> www.Hydromap.com
>
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-- 
Daniel P. Ames PhD, PE
Department of Geosciences
Idaho State University - Idaho Falls
amesdani at isu.edu
www.MapWindow.org
www.Hydromap.com
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