[OSGeo-Conf] FOSS4G 2007 - whats in a name?

[Dave McIlhagga]

I see a lot of disconnections here by using FOSS4G as our future ongoing 
name for the conference. Some examples:


1. We're talking about this on an OSGeo mailing list, with the proposal 
process being defined by OSGeo, and supporting funding being provided by 
OSGeo -- but it's not an OSGeo event??
2. OSGeo sponsorship includes first rights for sponsorship at the annual 
conference -- if it's not an OSGeo conference, that's not something we 
can even offer potential sponsors.
3. We're collectively trying to further promote OSGeo as the goto spot 
of open source geospatial technologies -- shouldn't our event be the 
goto event for same?

For me -- I just see a lot of confusion. If we want OSGeo to be 
successful -- why would we not do everything possible to give it it's 
best chance of success?? Conference with like-name is a big part of 
helping give OSGeo legitimacy to the world.


Admittedly - if our primary concern is today's immediate community, who 
already "get it" .. well all of this isn't that important. But Promotion 
of open source geospatial technologies is one of the biggest drivers of 
OSGeo -- if you want that, then you have to be smart about how you 
promote yourself to the world. Having a different name for your 
conference than your primary organization doesn't serve that need.

So are we all content just being big fish in a little pond ... or do we 
want to try the ocean?

Anyway -- that's by 2 cents on this.

Dave




Frank Warmerdam wrote:
> Folks,
> 
> I'll add that I prefer OSGeo'07 for the conference name myself, mostly
> for the closer association with OSGeo but also for brevity.  However,
> I certainly wouldn't mind continuing with the FOSS4G name if that is the
> majority position.
> 
> Best regards,