[Board] Commercialize OSGeo?

[Arnulf Christl]

On Sun, June 1, 2008 16:29, Dave McIlhagga wrote:
> The way I look at it - OSGeo is about technology & Business is about
> commercializing technology. At the interesection of the two is where we can
> have interesting collaborations and mutually beneficial activities.
>
> If OSGeo were to commercialize as opposed to supporting commercial
> activities -- this spirit of partnership would be jeopardized.
>
> Dave

Yes, that is a good way of putting it.

In a nutshell I think we have two options:

1. Set up a community lead process like the one we need for FOSS4G with a
committee and public review period and whatnot. Then the "OSGeo Teach-in"
will be an awareness raising event with deductions for students, adjusted
official local rates (depending where it takes place) and can take place
everywhere and needs to have a transparent funding structure etc.

2. Make the brand "OSGeo Teach-in" available to sponsors and let them run
loose with it. I suggest to request for official feedback from
participants, maybe through some web interface and an option to exclude
sponsors that mess up the "OSGeo Teach-in"

I prefer the second option.

2.a. Potential sponsors might want to try out the event type "OSGeo
Teach-in" *before* becoming sponsors to check whether it is commercially
viable. I would support this as long as we are still building the brand.


Big nut.

Regards,

-- 
Arnulf Christl
http://www.wheregroup.com