MapServer Foundation thoughts and reactions

[Fischer, Brian]

I have the utmost respect for the original MTSC and developers of
MapServer.  I also feel they are looking out for the best interest of
the longevity of MapServer and I do feel the idea of the foundation is a
good thing, but with that said I also feel some concerns.

As an individual attempting to offer MapServer consulting services for a
private business (which is an uphill battle the way it is), I also share
some of the same concerns others have expressed on the list over the
past day.  I feel it is important to let share my concerns with the MTSC
and community.

The main concern I have is the re-branding and naming of the different
software products in the MapServer Foundation.  How about calling the
foundation something not tied to either name like "web mapping
foundation" and let MapServer keep it's name?  I think the MTSC is
giving up the MapServer name to easy to Autodesk.  When I think ahead
about giving a presentation or trying to sell an "original" MapServer
solution to a potential client, I think it is going to be a challenge
and uphill battle trying to explain the difference in software names and
why I am using one over the other.  I also agree that it makes the
"original" MapServer sound like it may not work as an enterprise
solution when anybody that has worked with MapServer knows that is not
the case.  Try explaining that to a client that has not followed
MapServer for the past 5 years and knows little our nothing about the
software.

I also agree with Puneet that something needs to be done to reassure the
original MapServer community that this isn't an exploit by Autodesk to
simply gain market share.  (Why haven't we seen anyone respond from
Autodesk, other than their press release that already makes mentions
that they are coming out with a commercial version?) I personally would
like to see a list of questions compiled with concerns that have been
brought up and then answered by the MTSC.  Hopefully this would reassure
me as a user and business consultant that this is the best software
arena for me to pursue offering services.

Respectfully,
Brian

Brian Fischer
Houston Engineering, Inc.
Maple Grove, MN
(763) 493-4522

-----Original Message-----
From: UMN MapServer Users List [mailto:MAPSERVER-USERS at LISTS.UMN.EDU] On
Behalf Of P Kishor
Sent: Tuesday, November 29, 2005 11:08 AM
To: MAPSERVER-USERS at LISTS.UMN.EDU
Subject: Re: [UMN_MAPSERVER-USERS] MapServer Foundation thoughts and
reactions

ok. The cat's out of the bag. So, what now?

In the interest of bringing the community back to happytown, here are
a few suggestions --

1. Tell Autodesk that they are welcome to the community, however...

2. "MapServer Enterprise" is the re-branding of our MapServer with our
PostGIS (go, Refractions, go...). Then we can forget about the Cheetah
episode. Funny, Refractions' contribution of their product to the
MapServer community was so well done, and so well received. We are
forever grateful to Paul Ramsey and friends for their work. And then,
this behemoth organization comes in, with no prior history with
MapServer, and just blows it.

3. Autodesk is welcome to rename their contribution as Autodesk
Coregeo for MapServer Enterprise (ACME, if they so desire).

4. Autodesk is welcome to contribute their other intellectual
properties to the MapServer Foundation, which, the foundation will
accept after due pontification. (note: MapStudio kinda thing for
MapServer enterprise might be nice...). Invite other supersize players
to join in as well.

5. MapServer Foundation create the mechanism for transparently and
openly electing the governing council. There are many examples out
there... the Perl Foundation, the Apache Foundation, etc. Perl Chief
Pumpkin Holder mechanism might be a cool thing to emulate for the
development side (Steve-o can be the benevolent dictator for life --
he has my vote). The foundation members should represent independent
developers, Universities, small as well as supersized business
owners/NGOs.

6. Everyone hug each other in Switzerland (for which, thankfully I
won't be around -- for the hugging, that is).