[OSGeo-Discuss] Hacking OSGeo

Sun Sep 14 20:03:32 PDT 2014

I can speak to this from the perspective of the lead of an open source geospatial software project (GeoTrellis) in the process of LocationTech incubation. The legal team at eclipse is currently going through our code and dependencies, making sure our code is legally licensed. This is a solid check that we are in fact open source software, and are not accidentally breaking any license agreement or copyright. One clear benefit of this is that companies who require that any software used won't end up hurting them from a legal standpoint can use our software knowing that it has already been cleared by a legal team. Another benefit of LocationTech is the infrastructure that is offered (continuous integration, release publication). Some drawbacks include having to submit to that legal review, having code scrutinized to that level, and refitting our processes to fit to the Eclipse standardized infrastructure.

That being said, I think that OSGeo *does* represent our open source geospatial community as a whole, and hope that our inclusion in LocationTech would not preclude GeoTrellis from participating in the rich and dominant open source community that is OSGeo. I appreciate everything this community has done, and hope that our participation in LocationTech as part of the open source geospatial community only helps and never hinders the work that OSGeo is doing.

The work that OSGeo and LocationTech are contributing to is certainly the affirmation of open source geospatial software. I thank you for explicitly stating that goal which we can all be working towards.

> On Sep 14, 2014, at 5:44 PM, Massimiliano Cannata <massimiliano.cannata at supsi.ch> wrote:
> 
> As you said the final goal is the same: open source Geospatial software affirmation. And this is the best thing I can wish to all of us.
> 
> Nevertheless what I just have not clear is: what location teach do differently with respect to osgeo? does it somehow overlap with incubation or not? What are the distinctive features?
> 
> Personally I wonder why some of the most eminent person of osgeo (like you) decided to work into location teach? Don't misunderstood me, I'm not judging nor criticizing,  I'd just like to understand opportunities or aspect or services not found in osgeo and that experts and leaders found there.
> 
> Sorry in advance for my eventual  ignorance, but I think this would help people better understand the discussion and the future of osgeo.
> 
> Maxi
> 
> Il 14-set-2014 17:05 "Daniel Morissette" <dmorissette at mapgears.com> ha scritto:
>> FWIW I'm happy to hear that there was such a face to face discussion. I believe that open communication on the issues will be the best way to address the fears and find ways to move forward in the best interest of the overall worldwide community of people, businesses, institutions, etc who have a common interest in seeing free and open source geospatial software strive.
>> 
>> Keep in mind that we all come to this model of software development for different reasons (business, academic, philosophical, hobby, etc.), but in the end we're all working towards a similar objective, so there is no fear to be had, just different means of reaching a common objective, and since the result of everybody's actions is better free/open source software, everybody will benefit in the end.
>> 
>> Not sure if I was able to relay my thoughts properly... maybe I need a bit more sleep.
>> 
>> Cheers all
>> 
>> Daniel
>> 
>> 
>>> On 14-09-14 10:25 AM, Jachym Cepicky wrote:
>>> Guys,
>>> 
>>> as long as I understand it: "some members of the community" are scared
>>> of LocationTech "taking over" whatever (FOSS4G conference, OSGeo
>>> projects and community). This can be based on real action, taken on
>>> either site, unofficial statement, misunderstandings or personal
>>> dislikes.
>>> 
>>> Yesterday, we had short (about 2hours) face 2 face discussion with
>>> Andrew here in PDX (me, Vasile, Jeff and Gerald) and I personally
>>> believe, that it is not in interest of LocationTech to "crush" OSGeo
>>> or FOSS4G conference. It was clearly stated, that LocationTech would
>>> like to contribute to FOSS4G and make it to better conference,
>>> regarding (again) "some remarks" of "some members of the community"
>>> (including myself), that the way, FOSS4G is organised, does not
>>> necessary meet some of the community aspects, we would like to stress.
>>> I would like to note, that the discussion was very open on both sides,
>>> still calm and productive.
>>> 
>>> "To contribute" of course means "to work" and LocationTech is anything
>>> but volunteer driven organisation. It has been stated, that FOSS4G-NA
>>> next year will be organised primarily by LocationTech, but OSGeo willl
>>> be represented clearly and (so to say) loudly.
>>> 
>>> This could be one of the firsts steps towards closer cooperation
>>> between LocationTech and OSGeo.
>>> 
>>> Everybody is aware, that on some points, LocationTech is not that
>>> good, as OSGeo currently is. OSGeo is certainly failing in other
>>> things. Looking for ways, how to strengthen common strengths and
>>> weaken our weaknesses should have "non-zero-sum" effect.
>>> 
>>> We, as OSGeo shall later evaluate, whether the price for helping us
>>> LocationTech with conferences (regardless if on regional or global
>>> level), was too hight or quite ok. In case of disagreement, we shall
>>> try to find solution for the next time.
>>> 
>>> In the worst case, we find out, that cooperation is not possible and
>>> everybody can go it's way than.
>>> 
>>> I hope, you get my point(s) and that I did not misinterpreted
>>> anything, what was said.
>>> 
>>> Thank you
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Jachym
>> 
>> -- 
>> Daniel Morissette
>> T: +1 418-696-5056 #201
>> http://www.mapgears.com/
>> Provider of Professional MapServer Support since 2000
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