[OSGeo-Discuss] Nigeria OSGeo Local Chapter

[Alex Mandel]

On 05/31/2015 04:25 PM, Ayo Akinseye DSS wrote:
> Hello All,
> 
> I hold a Masters in GIS from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria (1997) and have 
> worked on GIS projects in Nigeria ever since.
> My transition to Opensource software (operating systems, Server, Desktop and 
> Web) began about 5 years ago. Over time  I have acquired most of the basic 
> skills required for Opensource (java, python, javascript, html5, CSS etc) and 
> have become an Opensource advocate of some sort (in public and private sectors 
> in Nigeria).
> 
> I have a group of people that we have held informal meetings and we are 
> passionate about Open Source software, GIS, and our part of the world. We have 
> people from all walks of life - academia, government and business.
> 
> We have decided to set-up a Local OSGeo Chapter to assist our current drive of 
> increasing FOSS4G and Opensource awareness in Nigeria.
> 
> I have looked at the guidelines, OSGeo mission and according to 
> http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Local_Chapters/Starting a page has been set-up at 
> http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/User_talk:Ayolagos
> 

Please consider moving the content to
http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Nigeria

> To grow our potential user base, we want to adopt the Ubuntu Linux model of 
> distributing CDs/Flash drives with FOSS4G videos and software to interested 
> people and organisations across our country. These costs will be borne by us. We 
> would like to put the OSGeo logo on all these items.
> 

Please consider building from OSGeoLive http://live.osgeo.org

> A training facility in Lagos Island, Lagos has given us access to one 
> of their training rooms that can seat 50 people. The room has all the facilities 
> required for workshops and trainings. This will form our Lagos base for now 
> while we will look for other facilities in other parts of the country as we move 
> along. We intend to start monthly workshops within the next 6 weeks. We intend 
> to have movable banners at all our events, and would like to put OSGEO logo on 
> these banners.
>

Absolutely, you will find example materials for this at
https://trac.osgeo.org/osgeo/browser/marketing/exhibitionpack
https://trac.osgeo.org/osgeo/browser/marketing/logo/svg

If you need additional matching funds please contact the Marketing and
Outreach Committee.

> We also have a couple of businesses (including our company) who have pledged at 
> least 2 PCs in each of our offices which we will encourage potential users to 
> come to use for specified periods, to mitigate the issue of users not having 
> access to an internet facing computer. These will be managed by a booking system 
> so we do not disturb the commercial activities of these businesses.
> 
> We have started discussing with 5 Universities across Nigeria (as a start) about 
> including Opensource and FOSS4G courses in their related departments. We 
> actually found one university already using QGIS!. Introduction letters have 
> been requested from these organisations and we would like to use the OSGeo logo 
> as part of these letters.
> 

Please invite them to join the OSGeo-ICE-ISPRS initiative
http://www.geoforall.org/

> We have started development of a website and still working on the most 
> suitable domain name. Suggestions are welcome so we are in line with OSGeo best 
> practises. We will also like to put the OSGeo logo on the website.
> 
> We would also like a mailing list set-up so we can start holding conversations 
> outside of this main list.
> 

Please file a ticket on https://trac.osgeo.org/osgeo/ to have a mailing
list created.

Example:
https://trac.osgeo.org/osgeo/ticket/1487


> I joined this list around January this year and have been reading the posts to 
> get a proper feel of how things are done. I realise that there will be other 
> Nigeria residents here and use this as a reach out for them to join us and 
> participate, since we are looking for more members to follow through on specific 
> sectors based on the OSGeo mission and ours as well.
> 
> I also solicit any support and assistance that can make our mission easier to 
> achieve.
> 
> Thank you.
> 
> Regards
> 
> Ayo Akinseye
> 

Thanks,
Alex
OSGeo System Administration Committee