[OSGeo-Discuss] Hacking OSGeo

[Andrew Ross]

Dear All,

Discussions started informally back in 2011. By 2012, there were more 
formal discussions ongoing including a face to face meeting with Michael 
Gerlek who was appointed by the OSGeo board to represent OSGeo. I wanted 
to say publicly that Michael's work was extremely professional and I was 
very impressed.

I believe it's fair to say reaction was similar back then. Many people 
saw many positives in working closely together. Some asked if the two 
organizations could be one. Like today, there were some who were very 
fearful. Those that supported working closely together felt it was best 
not to push too hard. Discussions have continued since then over the 
past 3-4 years focusing on specific collaboration on a case by case basis.

During that time, LocationTech has sponsored and its projects 
participated in 2 FOSS4Gs. It was asked by an OSGeo board member to 
organize FOSS4G NA 2015. It has provided discrete feedback to OSGeo 
projects regarding intellectual property related issues in OSGeo 
projects so they could be fixed. OSGeo projects were well represented on 
the 2013 LocationTech tour and again in 2014. I hope these things are 
seen as a significant positive force.

I would like to draw attention to the fact that LocationTech's growth 
has not taken anything away from OSGeo. In fairness, building upon what 
Steven Feldman eloquently put, the problems OSGeo faces are problems 
today were faced before LocationTech existed, and since.

It's fair to say there is tension to collaborate more closely since the 
strengths of OSGeo & LocationTech complement each other despite some 
overlap. LocationTech & the Eclipse Foundation are *offering* to help 
solve some of the problems we've been talking about in OSGeo for many 
years. It's been 4 years and the offer hasn't been withdrawn nor really 
pushed despite fearful attempts to portray it as otherwise.

Andrew

On 15/09/14 20:28, Venkatesh Raghavan wrote:
> On 9/16/2014 10:48 AM, Richard Greenwood wrote:
>> I don't get it, and my question is moot at this point in time, but why do
>> we need a new foundation? Why couldn't OSGeo have provided what
>> LocationTech purports to provide? Was there any discussion, or awareness,
>> in the OSGeo board prior to the formation of LocationTech?
>
> Very pertinent questions form Rich. I hope we will receive some lucid 
> answers.
>
> Best
>
> Venka
>> Rich
>>
>>
>> On Mon, Sep 15, 2014 at 4:18 PM, Jeff McKenna <jmckenna at gatewaygeomatics.com
>>> wrote:
>>> Arnulf,
>>>
>>> I definitely agree that both foundations fill a role and need to exist.
>>>
>>> The point I am trying to make is that we have the power to change OSGeo,
>>> if we feel some needs are not being met well.
>>>
>>> I used too strong of words again, I am sorry.
>>>
>>> -jeff
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On 2014-09-15 2:59 PM, Arnulf Christl wrote:
>>>
>>>> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
>>>> Hash: SHA1
>>>>
>>>> Jeff,
>>>> I believe that Daniel is actually right in what he says - given that I
>>>> understand the point he is trying to make. There are differences
>>>> between OSGeo and LocationTech and trying to talk them away will not
>>>> get us anywhere. And its not "bad" or "goo" either way, we just
>>>> operate differently.
>>>>
>>>> The point is that in OSGeo you cannot move anything at all as a
>>>> business, not directly. In LocationTech you become a corporate member,
>>>> pay money and in return have influence over certain things and get
>>>> support. Directly geared towards your specific needs. OSGeo does none
>>>> of those things.
>>>>
>>>> As an individual (with or without business) you can become the
>>>> committee chair and an OSGeo officer with absolutely no preconditions,
>>>> no money needed, no organizational backing and no other hierarchy.
>>>> Just because othes think you are doing a cool job and have accumulated
>>>> enough merit to go ahead as a leader. This would not work in this way
>>>> in LocationTech.
>>>>
>>>> Both ways have reasons to exist and are good. Right?
>>>>
>>>> Cheers.
>>>> Arnulf
>>>>
>>>> Am 2014-09-15 10:45, schrieb Jeff McKenna:
>>>>
>>>>> On 2014-09-15 1:22 PM, Daniel Morissette wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> the members in OSGeo are individuals and the members in
>>>>>> Eclipse/LocationTech are businesses
>>>>>>
>>>>> Daniel this statement is not true, regarding OSGeo.  OSGeo members
>>>>> are made up of all walks of life, and many are running private
>>>>> businesses all around the world.  I have visited their
>>>>> organizations/offices myself in my FOSS4G travels throughout the
>>>>> years.
>>>>>
>>>>> However I cannot change how you feel.
>>>>>
>>>>> This part is unfortunate, these strong statements made publicly,
>>>>> which I feel are made to divide our community.
>>>>>
>>>>> Let me reinforce: our OSGeo community and our FOSS4G events (of
>>>>> all sizes) are geared for everyone and anyone, with no sole focus
>>>>> on one type of community.  And as the President of OSGeo, I am
>>>>> happy to represent all of the members, of any kind :)
>>>>>
>>>>> -jeff
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>   _______________________________________________

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