[OSGeo-Discuss] some post-FOSS4G thoughts

[Daniel Ames]

I'll make another plug for Helena's suggestion on the conference list that
an International FOSS4g be offered every other year. In alternate years
members would be encouraged to run regional and/or project specific small
conferences... - Dan

On Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 12:04 PM, Landon Blake <lblake at ksninc.com> wrote:

>  I really think the best solution to this issue would be smaller, regional
> conferences. Perhaps this could be an issue that could be tackled by local
> OSGeo Chapters?
>
>
>
> It would be cool if we could get a point location and radius of acceptable
> travel from each OSGeo member. You could then determine which host cities
> for a local or regional conference would impact the most users.
>
>
>
> Landon
>
>
>  ------------------------------
>
> *From:* discuss-bounces at lists.osgeo.org [mailto:
> discuss-bounces at lists.osgeo.org] *On Behalf Of *Daniel Ames
> *Sent:* Tuesday, October 07, 2008 10:49 AM
> *To:* OSGeo Discussions
> *Cc:* conference_dev
> *Subject:* Re: [OSGeo-Discuss] some post-FOSS4G thoughts
>
>
>
> Another consideration: my students who attended last week said that the mix
> of GISSA with FOSS4g was EXCELLENT.  The really liked having the business
> GIS users/non-FOSS people there. In fact, doing a joint conference like this
> gave the FOSS folks lots of great proselytizing opportunities that they
> wouldn't otherwise have. So that was a GREAT idea the South Africa group
> had.  Good job.
>
>
>
> One more thing... We should be careful talking about having conferences
> "closer". Come on folks, as geo-people you all know that "closer" is
> relative to your datum...  There is a huge growing GIS interest in China
> right now. Wouldn't it be cool to have FOSS4g there one year?
>
>
>
> So a public "Thanks" to the SA organizers, and a "Good luck!" to the
> Aussies... and as for 2010?  Anyone interested in Beijing? How about Idaho?
> :)
>
>
>
> - Dan
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 8:42 AM, Gavin Fleming <GavinF at mintek.co.za> wrote:
>
> This thread has been doing the rounds on the conference_dev list as well
>
> Some of my thoughts in the aftermath of FOSS4G 2008.
>
> I have heard very positive feedback from all quarters. As Arnulf alluded
> to in the AGM, I believe the decision to host in an 'untested' location
> WORKED. The mix of FOSS and proprietary worlds WORKED. The mix of the
> full-spectrum ecosystem from geek to user to academic to businessperson
> to government official WORKED.
>
> It WORKED on so many levels we'll be seeing positive spin-offs for years
> to come.
>
> Business people loved meeting developers and picking up the sense of
> community.
>
> Developers loved being with other developers and interacting with users
> and funders.  And we did manage a code sprint of around 40 people.
> http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/FOSS4G2008_CodeSprint
>
> Cost:
> -Registration was well within the limits set by OSGeo of $600. It was
> NOT the deciding factor for most people. Academics and students got 50%
> discount, but these were a minority.
> -Travel was THE deciding factor.
> -Accommodation: yes, 'official' hotels where our agents got block
> bookings were not exactly budget prices (global tourist destination in
> high season) but we advertised and listed many links for organising
> one's own cheap accommodation from backpackers to B&Bs. So that should
> not have been a factor.
> -with more sponsorship we would have loved to support those who could
> not afford it. Luckily many who asked made a plan of their own.
>
> By its nature, a moving conference will be expensive to get to from many
> places. But it will be cheap and accessible to regional attendees and
> that's the point. That's part of OSGeo's mission.
>
> The value of bringing FOSS4G to South Africa (or Sydney or other future
> global venues) far outweighs the 'cost' to a few who could not make it.
> Sydney will be in the same boat next year - far from almost everywhere.
> But they're already focussing on Australia/NZ and Southeast Asia. And a
> core contingent of OSGeo techies WILL make it to FOSS4G each year. And
> there you have the magic mix.
>
> So, from me:
> -keep FOSS4G roaming the globe annually
> -stimulate and support local or regional events whenever and wherever
> they emerge
> -keep the FOSS4G mix as it is - don't split along a perceived
> technical-business divide.
> -put out RFPs even earlier to allow time to secure cheap venues, big
> sponsorships, optimal scheduling, etc. A case in point is
> http://www.igarss09.org/ where the conference was awarded years back
> enabling the hosting of thousands at a cheap venue (university).
>
> Gavin Fleming
>
>
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> --
> Daniel P. Ames PhD, PE
> Department of Geosciences
> Idaho State University - Idaho Falls
> amesdani at isu.edu
> www.MapWindow.org
> www.Hydromap.com
>
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-- 
Daniel P. Ames PhD, PE
Department of Geosciences
Idaho State University - Idaho Falls
amesdani at isu.edu
www.MapWindow.org
www.Hydromap.com
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