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<p>Hi All from California, USA -</p>
<p> today I see a call to vote on moderators at Openstreetmap USA.
The link goes to <br>
</p>
<p> <a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="https://www.openstreetmap.org/login">https://www.openstreetmap.org/login</a></p>
<p> You can see that OSM USA appears to cooperate for "federated
login" (sharing credential mechanisms) via <b>OpenID</b>. <br>
</p>
<p> Secondly it seems that OSM USA is a client to some larger
AUTHs, for example <b>Facebook</b>.</p>
<p> as a user of <b>OSGeo ID AUTH</b>, I support a model where
OSGeo owns and runs AUTH, and can share with other organizations
on a case-by-case basis.. this is the model of the OpenID system
(as I understand it).<br>
</p>
<p> It is my opinion that being a client of centralized AUTH, such
as Facebook, is the wrong road for OSGeo dot org. The relationship
there is a client relationship such that information and control
are passed one-way, and there is very little growth on the OSGeo
side over time, while central AUTH becomes stronger. <br>
</p>
<p> I believe in OSGeo dot org long-term, and wish to see OSGeo own
and operate AUTH for its own purposes, independent of centralized
services such as Facebook.</p>
<p> sincerely <br>
</p>
<p> --Brian M Hamlin / MAPLABS / OSGeoLive PSC</p>
<p><br>
</p>
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