[OSGeo-Discuss] Establishing an Open Source GIS Software Interest Group, Calgary Alberta

[Stefan Steiniger]

Dear Colleague,

* Are you interest in Open Source GIS software?
* Are you living in or near Calgary, Alberta?

If you answered "yes" to both questions, then we would like to invite 
you to a first informal meeting that should help to establish a Calgary 
based Free and Open Source GIS interest group. For more information see 
the text below.

If you have questions about this or would like to be contacted directly 
in the future, don't hesitate to send an email.

best regards,
Stefan and Andrew

Stefan Steiniger - Geography, University of Calgary: 
ssteinig[-at-]ucalgary.ca
Andrew Hunter - Geomatics, University of Calgary: ahunter[-at-]ucalgary.ca

webpage: http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Alberta_Chapter#Calgary

===== What? =============
Free and open source GIS software has experienced rapid growth over the 
past few years, including web mapping applications, spatial database 
software and desktop GIS.  Talking to colleagues has inspired us to see 
if there is potential to establish an interest group in Alberta where 
people could learn about open source GIS software (products, licenses, 
legal issues etc.) and exchange their experiences using it.

The informal meeting would have the two following goals
(a) to see if there is sufficient interest, and
(b) to identify what the purpose of such group would be. i.e. identify 
its objectives/needs.

===== When and Where? =====

* When: We are planning to have a first meeting either at the end of 
April or beginning of May. Preferably from 6 to 8 pm. If it takes longer 
we can go for a beer near to the campus.
To finalize a date we would ask you to provide us your preferred dates 
on the following doodle:
 http://www.doodle.com/5c4hn45w98mcga3g

* Where: We will organize a room at the main campus of the University of 
Calgary.

===== Possible Agenda for 1st Meeting =====

i  - What is the OSGeo?
ii  - Get to know each other.
iii - Define a purpose for the group.
iv - Pizza? Beer?

For point (iii) it would be helpful if you could think about the 
following questions:
- Why are you coming?
- What would you expect from such a group?
- What do you not want the group to be?
- What is your experience with free and open source GIS?