[OSGeo-Discuss] New OSGeo Board and Next 5 years for OSGeo

[Ravi]

"clearly we still have had only modest success getting folks in
the developing world actively involved in the global OSGeo activities"

It is with all humility, I join the board. Will strive to keep the 
issues of the developing world (India included) in focus. 
Wishing my fellow OSGeo board members all the best. 

Cheers
Ravi Kumar
Honest disagreement is often a good sign of progress.
    Mahatma Gandhi
(Gandhis birthday 2nd October)

--- On Wed, 30/9/09, Frank Warmerdam <warmerdam at pobox.com> wrote:

> From: Frank Warmerdam <warmerdam at pobox.com>
> Subject: Re: [OSGeo-Discuss] Next 5 years for OSGeo
> To: "OSGeo Discussions" <discuss at lists.osgeo.org>
> Date: Wednesday, 30 September, 2009, 9:33 PM
> Rafal Wawer wrote:
> > Hi Frank, For your end-users I see a lot of
> opportunities in developing
> > countries, 
> 
> Rafal,
> 
> So do I, particularly because I think in those countries
> people will
> see that some elbow grease and investment in their own
> knowledge can
> give them what they need for a low cost, and providing
> future
> opportunities.
> 
> > where the cost of software licenses is far to high for
> the
> > budgets thay have. Naturally, some of the users use
> cracks, but it won't be
> > that easy enymore, especially in the domain of web
> services. OSGeo could
> > support education in FOSS4G in those countries - with
> active marketing,
> > sending information letters to the bodies responsible
> for mapping and
> > environment.
> 
> I am a big believer in folks "pulling up their own socks"
> in this regard.
> I am dubious about OSGeo trying to seed into countries
> without local
> advocates, but there are things we can do to help support
> locals who
> want promotional and training materials, and some
> introduction into
> international circles.
> 
> Hopefully we can also provide an aura of deserved
> respectability
> for our projects that will make it easier for decision
> makers to take
> them seriously.
> 
> > OSGeo could also participate in dvelopment projects -
> like
> > those small grants of GSDI, providing FOSS solutions,
> not mentioning
> > European FP7 projects addressing Africa. For know the
> quite steep learning
> > curve to get into FOSS4G is very often keeping the
> potential users away.
> 
> There are things we can do, but to a large extent the
> benefits will go
> to those users who realize some investment in learning is
> worthwhile.
> 
> > Is OSGeo targeting those users now? If you look onto
> the map of registered
> > members: http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Category:OSGeo_Member, well,
> not
> > everyone added himself to the map, but enyway, Africa,
> Asia and South
> > America look quite empty (-;
> 
> There are things we are doing now, including holding FOSS4G
> in South
> Africa last year, and making an effort to involve
> geographically diverse
> folks in the charter membership and board.  We have
> also been supportive
> (though perhaps we could be more so) of local chapters
> where they are
> established by local advocates.
> 
> But, clearly we still have had only modest success getting
> folks in
> the developing world actively involved in the global OSGeo
> activities.
> 
> Best regards,
> --
> ---------------------------------------+--------------------------------------
> I set the clouds in motion - turn up   |
> Frank Warmerdam, warmerdam at pobox.com
> light and sound - activate the windows | http://pobox.com/~warmerdam
> and watch the world go round - Rush    |
> Geospatial Programmer for Rent
> 
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