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<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Dear All,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>As a keen GIS user, I am glad to hear that everybody
support the idea of an 'integrated' conference. GIS users in SA have no idea
what the Open Source aspect of GIS entails. I foresee that after the 1st day
everybody will start comparing Open Source with the 'rest' and obvious questions
like how to, costs, support, etc will raise during discussions. And isn't that
what we want to achieve?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>So, let us keep an "Open Mind".</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Magda Roos<BR>Spatial Data Management<BR>Council for
Geoscience<BR>Private Bag X112<BR>PRETORIA<BR>South Africa</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><BR>Tel +27 12 841 1027<BR>Fax +27 12 841 1100<BR>Cell 083
611 1161<BR></DIV></FONT>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=jbnawn@hotmail.com href="mailto:jbnawn@hotmail.com">burnie nawn</A>
</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A
title=foss4g2008loc@lists.osgeo.org
href="mailto:foss4g2008loc@lists.osgeo.org">foss4g2008loc@lists.osgeo.org</A>
</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Wednesday, October 10, 2007 11:09
AM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> RE: [Foss4g2008loc] Feedback
from GISSA National Council meeting on4Oct</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>Hi<BR> <BR>For those that were not at the GISSA 2007
meeting in Durban I would like to provide some insight into the current
understanding and interaction with FOSS in the GIS community in
SA.<BR> <BR>Firstly there seems to be a huge misunderstanding of what
FOSS is and that you can actually do GIS in something that is free is
mind-boggling. Secondly the support had to be rallied for supporting
FOSS4G2008, since there seem to be lack of understanding on how big this thing
really is in the real world. The informal message was also that why should
they replace what they have and therefore a lot of people don't understand the
synergy of FOSS and proprietory software. <BR> <BR>I further believe that
once various institutions recognises the long term feasibility and
sustainability of FOSS products without paying a licensing fee every year
there might just actually take some development place in certain areas of
South Africa.<BR> <BR>As Dewald mentioned, we need to manage this process
very carefully to avoid a ridge between FOSS and proprietory software groups.
We need both of these towards improving the conditions in our
country.<BR> <BR>So the take home message is one of IEC:<BR>I =
Information. We need to disseminate enough information before FOSS4G2008 to
empower people to partcipate at full speed.<BR>E= Education. We will have to
educate people on what FOSS is, what it can do for you, the limitation,
etc.<BR>C= Communication. We need to communicate all the latest trends,
possibilities, opportunities as well as FOSS events.<BR> <BR>This will be
the only way in which we will grow interest as well as the market for FOS
Software in South AFrica. This IEC process should start as soon a spossible in
South Africa. The right vehicle for dissemination for this information would
be GISSA. If GISSA supports this it means that members will also start doing
so. I mean GISSA even has an open source portal webpage - so we are half way
there. People are using it and not even knowing it.<BR> <BR>With the best
of intentions at all times.<BR> <BR>Kind regards,<BR>Burnie Nawn<BR>072
134 5352<BR><BR><BR><BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<HR>
Date: Wed, 10 Oct 2007 10:44:37 +0200<BR>From: gmcferren@csir.co.za<BR>To:
nucleotic@gmail.com; foss4g2008loc@lists.osgeo.org;
GavinF@mintek.co.za<BR>Subject: RE: [Foss4g2008loc] Feedback from GISSA
National Council meeting on 4Oct<BR>CC: <BR><BR>
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<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px"><FONT face="Lucida Sans" size=3>I rather see a
massive opportunity for developing mutual understanding and seeing how the
FOSS stack and propritary stacks line up and complement/ compete with each
other... The reality going forward in South Africa is that while there is a
huge push for FOSS coming over the horizon, proprietary software is very
dominant and is not going to be displaced easily. FOSS and proprietary will
be walking together for a while. Lets make friends and demonstrate
inclusiveness :-) </FONT></P><BR>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px"><FONT face="Lucida Sans" size=3>BTW, ESRI
makes use of FOSS software and is engaged in some open source processes like
the 52North initiative for example and I think were a sponsor at FOSS4G
2007. </FONT></P><BR>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px"><FONT face="Lucida Sans"
size=3>Graeme</FONT><BR>>>> "Dewald Troskie"
<nucleotic@gmail.com> 10/10/07 10:30 AM >>><BR></P>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left>
<DIV class=EC_375562408-10102007>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px"><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>Hi
All,</FONT> </P></DIV></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left>
<DIV class=EC_375562408-10102007><BR></DIV>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px"> </P></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left>
<DIV class=EC_375562408-10102007>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px"><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>Just a
point - FOSS4G is about Free and Open Source GIS, not proprietry talks. That
is against the spirit of the conference in my opinion - just as the name
states. Otherwise we might as well invite the "Microsoft" of GIS (we all
know whom I'm talking about) to jump onboard. If users are interested in
that, then they should attend one of the ESRI User conferences.</FONT>
</P></DIV></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left>
<DIV class=EC_375562408-10102007><BR></DIV>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px"> </P></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left>
<DIV class=EC_375562408-10102007>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px"><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>The
debate may be a good idea, but it should be properly mediated to prevent
scope creep and have proper direction without getting ugly (I have seen it
happen before between professionals).</FONT> </P></DIV></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left>
<DIV class=EC_375562408-10102007><BR></DIV>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px"> </P></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left>
<DIV class=EC_375562408-10102007>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px"><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>Just a
note. </FONT></P></DIV>
<DIV class=EC_375562408-10102007>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px"><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>My Zim
$5 worth.</FONT> </P></DIV></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left>
<DIV class=EC_375562408-10102007><BR></DIV>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px"> </P></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left>
<DIV class=EC_375562408-10102007>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px"><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>Dewald.</FONT> </P></DIV></DIV>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px"><BR></P>
<DIV class=EC_outlookmessageheader lang=en-us dir=ltr align=left>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px">
<HR>
<B><FONT face=Tahoma size=2>From:</FONT></B><FONT face=Tahoma
size=2> foss4g2008loc-bounces@lists.osgeo.org
[mailto:foss4g2008loc-bounces@lists.osgeo.org] <B>On Behalf Of </B>Gavin
Fleming<BR style="FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma"><B>Sent:</B> 10 October 2007
09:01 AM<BR
style="FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma"><B>To:</B> foss4g2008loc@lists.osgeo.org<BR
style="FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma"><B>Subject:</B> [Foss4g2008loc] Feedback
from GISSA National Council meeting on 4Oct<BR
style="FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma"></FONT><BR><BR></DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV class=EC_section1>
<DIV><BR>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px">I gave brief feedback from FOSS4G2007 to the
GISSA National Council and asked for their comments on FOSS4G2008
organisation: </P></DIV>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px"></P></DIV>
<UL type=disc>
<LI class=EC_msonormal>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px">An idea was proposed for </P>
<DIV style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px">blending proprietary and FOSS talks
</P></DIV>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px">: have themed <I><FONT
face="Times New Roman">rooms</FONT></I> where delegates know certain
streams or cross-cutting content like FOSS will be presented. Previous
suggestions include having streams containing FOSS, though not necessarily
keeping them in the same room, or randomly interspersing talks with FOSS
content throughout a topic stream and just identifying them with some
flag. The point was also made that many delegates will see a talk for the
application, not for the tools used, i.e. to them it's not important
whether FOSS or proprietary GIS was used. </P></DIV>
<LI class=EC_msonormal>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px">The </P>
<DIV style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px">marketing </P></DIV>
<DIV style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px">message </P></DIV>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px">must be open and inclusive. While we may run
a formal FOSS vs proprietary debate, confrontation is not the message.
Most debate will occur in the presentations and corridors anyway.
</P></DIV>
<LI class=EC_msonormal>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px">Re topics, it was suggested that we add </P>
<DIV style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px">topics for business and government
</P></DIV>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px">delegates (pretty much what is being
discussed on OSGeo-Discuss at the moment) such as </P></DIV>
<UL type=circle>
<LI class=EC_msonormal>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px">FOSS GIS migration strategies </P></DIV>
<LI class=EC_msonormal>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px">FOSS GIS business case, FOSS vs
proprietary TCO, etc. </P></DIV></LI></UL>
<LI class=EC_msonormal>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px">It was advised that we aim to </P>
<DIV style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px">break even </P></DIV>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px">with 600 delegates but plan space for 1000
delegates. </P></DIV>
<LI class=EC_msonormal>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px">Carrin would send a letter to GISSA members
and vendors advising them of the conference and asking them to </P>
<DIV style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px">plan for the time and budget to attend
</P></DIV>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px">. </P></DIV>
<LI class=EC_msonormal>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px">A request was made to </P>
<DIV style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px">boost the academic component </P></DIV>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px">of the conference. i.e. improve the options
available to those who want peer review and publication of their papers.
Antony Cooper will participate in this. </P></DIV>
<LI class=EC_msonormal>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px"></P>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px">Local </P></DIV>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px">Cape participation in the LOC should be
boosted. So far Inge is the main person on the ground there. </P>
<DIV style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px">Russell Hope </P></DIV>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px">might want to get more involved and </P>
<DIV style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px">Derek Clarke </P></DIV>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px">will be approached ( </P>
<DIV style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px">Gavin </P></DIV>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px">will approach Derek) </P>
<LI class=EC_msonormal>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px">The whole Council asked to be placed on the
LOC mailing list. </P></DIV>
<LI class=EC_msonormal>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px">In the development of an agreement between
GISSA and OSGeo we need to clarify respective risks, contributions and
benefits and draft the agreement accordingly. </P></DIV></LI></UL><BR>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px">Gavin </P></DIV>
<DIV><BR>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px"> </P></DIV></DIV>
<DIV><BR>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px"> </P></DIV></DIV></DIV><FONT
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