[FOSS4G2016] "Geo4All - MapStory Challenge" - FOSS4G 2016 Student Competitions

[Jeff McKenna]

Hi Gert-Jan,

You are fully correct in that you have full authority.  This message 
confirms in writing.  In fact, only a few years ago I was told the same 
thing by a past FOSS4G committee.  It is all yours man. 100%.

I do wonder why i care so much about the community, for zero money.

Carry-on :)

-jeff



On 2015-09-30 3:33 PM, Gert-Jan van der Weijden - Stichting OSGeo.nl wrote:
> Hi Jeff and fellow 2016-LOC-ers,
>
> I am a bit surprised by the mood as well as the message in this mail. Let's see if we can make things clear (at least for me):
>
> First: opinion. I think Suchith and Till made a fine arrangement ("if anything we do would be that easy", Till wrote) on this with a clear separation between an OSGeo award and other awards. That's just my 2 cents.
>
> Second: extent. One can easily extend your logic by applying it to the entire FOSS4G programme: it's OSgeo flagship, so only presentations and workshops on OSGeo projects can enter the FOSS4G stage. I really do hope that OSGeo has a broader view, and remains open to other FOSS4G developments as well.
>
> Third: process. I understood (at a BoF we had in Como) it's up to the LOC to decide what is, and what is not included in FOSS4G's programme. Of course all opinions -as yours stated hereby- are taken into account, but in the end it's the LOC decision. If I'm wrong in my assumption, please let me know.
>
> (one reason I'm reacting on this subject is the fact that Marc Vloemans, Till and I are discussing the FOSS4G marketing plans next Friday. therefore good to know who gives advices, and who makes the final decisions. The other reason is I'm currently involved in the Dutch general geospatial congress "GeoBuzz", under which umbrella the 4th annual "OSGeo.nl day" takes place (nov 25th). This Geobuzz congress has too many organisations at the steering wheel, which consumes a lot of time & energy)
>
>
>
> Kind regards from behind the windmills ,
>
>
> Gert-Jan (just call me GJ, that's easier)
>
>
>
> -----Oorspronkelijk bericht-----
> Van: foss4g2016-bounces at lists.osgeo.org [mailto:foss4g2016-bounces at lists.osgeo.org] Namens Jeff McKenna
> Verzonden: woensdag 30 september 2015 19:07
> Aan: list
> CC: ica-osgeo-labs at lists.osgeo.org
> Onderwerp: Re: [FOSS4G2016] "Geo4All - MapStory Challenge" - FOSS4G 2016 Student Competitions
>
> For FOSS4G-Bonn, OSGeo's flagship event, it should be very clear that we
> are promoting OSGeo's projects (over 20 projects and also 10 incubating
> projects) to be used for all student awards, as a base.  As I realize
> the ultra importance of students to the foundation's future, students
> should be encouraged to use the OSGeo stack (yes that especially
> includes the incubating projects, who are in fact starving/craving for
> help with building their community) in their projects.   Therefore, the
> awards should be named the "GeoForAll Challenge", or come up with a name
> that includes the other communities of OSGeo, ICA and ISPRS.
>
> The global FOSS4G event is hosted by OSGeo (we will sign liability, we
> will provide advance money), and we must, must help build and promote
> the OSGeo projects under the foundation's umbrella.
>
> In terms of regional FOSS4Gs, of course you are free to use any software
> base for your student competitions; but the annual FOSS4G is different,
> here the plenary room is filled with OSGeo community developers and
> leaders, and yes let's show them how students have impressively used
> their software :) It is win-win.
>
> Can you misinterpret my strong words, as "hating" other communities?
> You can, but please do not.  I am here to remind GeoForAll that the
> global FOSS4G event is hosted by OSGeo, and to please use this
> opportunity to promote OSGeo projects in your student awards.
>
> Can a student do a project using PostGIS, MapServer, and Leaflet (not an
> OSGeo project), of course, that's encouraged!  But at the global FOSS4G
> we should not be naming student awards for software not part of OSGeo.
> I am sorry if that is too strong.
>
> I have received feedback from so many people (I've said all that in a
> previous message to Suchith) on past student awards at past FOSS4Gs.
> Well, since this is about 2016, here we can change that.
>
> If you/GeoForAll/anyone disagrees with me, well, please discuss this,
> and possibly take this issue (of not promoting OSGeo projects in student
> awards at the global FOSS4G) to the OSGeo Conference Committee (they
> have a great team of volunteers there to help you), or you can bring
> this issue to the OSGeo Board, where I only have a single vote and there
> are 8 other wonderful directors to listen to your concerns.
>
> Thanks for listening,
>
> -jeff
>
>
>