[OSGeo-Conf] FOSS4G 2010 and beyond - border security issues

[Paul Ramsey]

As the article states, there is not exactly an epidemic of laptop
seizures at the US border. I think any US site carries both drawbacks,
in terms of tighter VISA requirements and the joys of crossing the US
border, and benefits, in terms of much higher potential
state-and-local US participation in an event that does not require
"international travel" approval for employees, which sometimes has to
be signed off by quite high elected officials.

I think, in summary, "no", there are enough things for submitters to
think about without having to also research their border crossing laws
in depth. Most sites in the world will be "good enough", and hopefully
the extent to which they are potentially not good enough can be
discussed during evaluation. (The Pyonyang bid could receive a rough
ride.)

P.

On Tue, Sep 23, 2008 at 9:15 AM, Dave Patton <davep at confluence.org> wrote:
> Not to prejudge the outcome of the FOSS4G 2010
> hosting RFP process, but it seems likely that
> sometime in the next couple of years after
> Sidney in 2009 that FOSS4G will take place
> in North America.
>
> For 2010 RFP responses, should the discussion
> phase include clarification by all respondents
> whether or not there are any existing "border
> security issues" that might affect prospective
> delegates to FOSS4G 2010?
>
> For 2011 and beyond, should the RFP contain a
> section asking for clarification by all respondents
> whether or not there are any existing "border
> security issues" that might affect prospective
> delegates to FOSS4G?
>
> For example, for the USA, there are potential
> issues with laptops, which are carried by a
> high percentage of FOSS4G delegates:
> http://www.pcworld.com/article/142429/five_things_to_know_about_us_border_laptop_searches.html
> and some of the rules have changed with regard
> to whether a passport is needed when traveling
> to/from the USA.
>
> --
> Dave Patton
> CIS Canadian Information Systems
> Victoria, B.C.
>
> Degree Confluence Project:
> Canadian Coordinator
> Technical Coordinator
> http://www.confluence.org/
>
> OSGeo FOSS4G2007 conference:
> Workshop Committee Chair
> Conference Committee member
> http://www.foss4g2007.org/
>
> Personal website:
> Maps, GPS, etc.
> http://members.shaw.ca/davepatton/
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