Choosing the Choosers

[Tyler Mitchell]

On December 18, 2005 00:05, Lester Caine wrote:
> Tyler Mitchell wrote:
> > So, I'm partly ambivalent about where the project lives, but partly
> > focused on ensuring that it lives in a place that helps the community
> > grow as much as possible.
>
> That is perhaps why a tie up with Autodesk raises alarm bells?
> Autodesk's intentions HAVE to be in their interest...

I'm not quite sure how we ended talking about Autodesk, I was just making the 
point that whether MapServer code is available through UMN or a foundation 
(or somewhere else) is really a moot point for me.  Of course UMN and 
everyone else involved have their own best interests in mind, but that 
doesn't mean they are exclusively self-focused, we know that it is not true.  

MapServer is surrounded and supported by major financial contributions and 
professional developer time that neither you and I pay for.  This is why we 
need to have a group manage the bigger picture project related affairs and 
not just leave it to chance, so that the companies, contributors and users 
can work collectively in a slightly more formal manner.  At this point, we 
are not talking about Autodesk or the foundation or any other product, we are 
talking about the MapServer project and how best to move forward.

> Even if it has nice new tools, I already  
> have an 'Enterprise' interface into MapServer and don't need the  
> distractions that an alternative it is creating :(:(

Choice is usually considered a good thing Lester! :)  And this new choice on 
the block would have come onto the scene regardless of any hopes of working 
together.

> Even just drafting this letter is a distraction that I could do without :(

Really?  I hope it is worth the time to discuss and debate the ideas, so that 
we can all have some confidence in moving forward.  Everyone's opinion about 
the MTSC taking on more responsibility is important to have at this point.

Tyler