[Board] Fwd: OSGeo patronage and letter of support for the CASCADOSS Project

[jo at frot.org]

dear Monika, all,
On Fri, Apr 25, 2008 at 01:54:36PM +0200, Monika Rusztecka wrote:
> I've proposed small extension of letter of support content regarding EU 
> and groups of FOSS4G users. 
> But I would appreciate your comments/corrections (my English is not so 
> fluent ;)

I made a few small syntax changes to the page. The version as it
stands is pasted below. It looks fine to me if you are happy also.
There is a board meeting scheduled for tomorrow at which we can make a
formal motion to approve OSGeo's support, nominal or practical :)

----

http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Support_for_CASCADOSS#Letter_of_Support_from_OSGeo

The Open Source Geospatial Foundation (OSGeo) welcomes the initiatives
of the CASCADOSS project. It is helping to build solid organisational
foundations for those public sector bodies and SMEs which use the Free
and Open Source GIS and Remote Sensing projects which OSGeo exists to
support.

In carrying out analysis of appropriate software for use in GIS and RS
projects relating to the Environment and management of Environmental
Information, CASCADOSS is offering a invaluable service to both users
and developers of FOSS4G projects.

Documentation and evaluation of software and standards for specific
user communities is not a always focus of our software development
communities. However, such efforts are necessary to reach our goal of
spreading the use of Open Source software and its positive
economic/organizational application in to new and broader
constituencies. A third-party effort to offer clarity on licensing and
future maintenance options to public sectors and SMEs will serve to
provide mutual benefit for everyone in the broader FOSS4G community.

An effort like CASCADOSS serves as valuable bridge-building between
the free software development community and GIS tools user
communities. This is especially helpful for bridging between networks
of specialists, scientists and scientific units such as those involved
in Europena Union GMES Programme. CASCADOSS also aims to spread
information on use of FOSS4G among EU countries with special focus on
New Member States. This effort will encourage potential users in the
broaden application of FOSS4G solutions.

OSGeo is glad to offer support to CASCADOSS where it can, including
promotion of associated events, and re-dissemination of output reports
and other documentation.