[OSGeo-Discuss] Next 5 years for OSGeo

[Arnulf Christl (OSGeo)]

On Wed, September 30, 2009 18:49, Maxim Dubinin wrote:
> Hi
>
>
> Local OSGeo chapters are great, but how about existing non-OSGeo groups?
> Does OSGeo have a strategy to
> build communication with them?
>
> Maxim

Maxim,
yes, OSGeo's intent it to embrace and support existing organizations with
the same vision instead of being exclusive. There is a Wiki page with some
links and always happy to be updated:
http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Like_Minded_Regional_Organizations

Please also feel free to introduce OSGeo to organizations that have not
yet stumbled across us.

In Germany the existing Free Software Geospatial organization FOSSGIS e.V.
(then named "GRASS user's group") meanwhile has become the official OSGeo
Local Chapter and we are working on the same goals and appear jointly at
conferences, trade fairs, organize hack sprints, etc. It is a lively
community and growing strong. It did take some time to work out the
details as is always the case with integrating existing organizations but
now all seem to be quite happy with it.

Best regards,
Arnulf.

> Âû ïèñàëè 30 ñåíòÿáðÿ 2009 ã., 11:03:35:
>
>
>>> where the cost of software licenses is far to high for the budgets
>>> thay have. Naturally, some of the users use cracks, but it won't be
>>> that easy enymore, especially in the domain of web services. OSGeo
>>> could support education in FOSS4G in those countries - with active
>>> marketing, sending information letters to the bodies responsible for
>>> mapping and environment.
>
> FW> I am a big believer in folks "pulling up their own socks" in this
> regard. FW> I am dubious about OSGeo trying to seed into countries without
> local FW> advocates, but there are things we can do to help support locals
> who FW> want promotional and training materials, and some introduction
> into FW> international circles.
>
>
> FW> Hopefully we can also provide an aura of deserved respectability
> FW> for our projects that will make it easier for decision makers to take
> FW> them seriously.
>
>
>>> OSGeo could also participate in dvelopment projects - like
>>> those small grants of GSDI, providing FOSS solutions, not mentioning
>>> European FP7 projects addressing Africa. For know the quite steep
>>> learning curve to get into FOSS4G is very often keeping the potential
>>> users away.
>
> FW> There are things we can do, but to a large extent the benefits will
> go FW> to those users who realize some investment in learning is
> worthwhile.
>
>>> Is OSGeo targeting those users now? If you look onto the map of
>>> registered members: http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Category:OSGeo_Member,
>>> well, not everyone added himself to the map, but enyway, Africa, Asia
>>> and South America look quite empty (-;
>>>
>
> FW> There are things we are doing now, including holding FOSS4G in South
> FW> Africa last year, and making an effort to involve geographically
> diverse FW> folks in the charter membership and board.  We have also been
> supportive FW> (though perhaps we could be more so) of local chapters
> where they are FW> established by local advocates.
>
>
> FW> But, clearly we still have had only modest success getting folks in
> FW> the developing world actively involved in the global OSGeo activities.
>
>
> FW> Best regards,
>
>
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-- 
Arnulf Christl
President OSGeo
http://www.osgeo.org