[Ica-osgeo-labs] Open Letter: the need for Open Standards in LiDAR

[Cameron Shorter]

Hi Patrick,
I've asked the OSGeo board to officially support this letter. Once board 
support is provided, and we have collated signatures from all who wish 
to add their support, then I suggest we approach the media.

This should be ~ mid next week.

Cameron.

On 16/04/2015 9:57 am, Hogan, Patrick (ARC-PX) wrote:
>
> Dear OSGeo Community,
>
> Should this also be broadcast in the geospatial newsletters? Like 
> MundoGeo, Sensors and Systems, etc.
>
> I don’t know how to get these online publications to run the story, 
> but we should give them the opportunity.
>
> The subject may not be endearing to corporate sponsors, but it is 
> undoubtedly the right thing to do.
>
> Our ability to communicate freely, data exchange included, seems an 
> essential element to the life.
>
> And why Martin Isenburg has worked so beautifully for so long! The 
> classic David vs Goliath story!
>
> It is now time for us to stand with him and stand strong, decidedly in 
> the interest of all.
>
> http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/LIDAR_Format_Letter
>
> -Patrick
>
> *From:*ica-osgeo-labs-bounces at lists.osgeo.org 
> [mailto:ica-osgeo-labs-bounces at lists.osgeo.org] *On Behalf Of *Suchith 
> Anand
> *Sent:* Monday, April 13, 2015 10:30 AM
> *To:* discuss at lists.osgeo.org; ica-osgeo-labs at lists.osgeo.org; 
> tc-discuss at lists.opengeospatial.org
> *Subject:* [Ica-osgeo-labs] Open Letter for the need for Open 
> Standards in LiDAR
>
> *To all colleagues in Academia, Government and Industry who have 
> interest in maintaining Open Standards:*
>
> On behalf of *"Geo for All"* community, http://www.geoforall.org 
> <http://www.geoforall.org/>, I would like to bring to your kind 
> attention a significant development that can lead to undermining our 
> principle for Open Geospatial Standards. I request you review the 
> wikipage http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/LIDAR_Format_Letter that is meant 
> to represent our concern and allow for ongoing input and expression 
> by our geospatial community.
>
> We specifically thank Martin Isenburg (author of LASzip and LAStools, 
> http://laszip.org <http://laszip.org/> and http://lastools.org 
> <http://lastools.org/>) for  bringing this matter to our attention 
> (email below) and an email thread of our initial discussion of this 
> subject that highlight the wider implication of this issue 
> http://lists.osgeo.org/pipermail/ica-osgeo-labs/2015-March/001225.html
>
> We request all who wish to support this effort to protect Open 
> Standards for Geospatial data to kindly add your name , email, 
> affiliation details to the wikipage directly or email *Patrick Hogan* 
> (Email - patrick.hogan at nasa.gov <mailto:patrick.hogan at nasa.gov> ) with 
> the subject heading *"Support for Open Geo Standards"* and the 
> following fields (Name, Email, Affiliation ) and we will gladly add 
> this to the wiki.
>
> There is current interest by the OGC in pursuing point cloud encoding 
> standards, including a member-initiated mechanism to extend LAS data 
> with OGC-standard XML content. The OGC invites interested members who 
> wish to work on this effort to please contact *Scott Simmons* 
> (Executive Director, Standards Program  E-mail : 
> ssimmons at opengeospatial.org <mailto:ssimmons at opengeospatial.org> ) to 
> register their interest and discuss details.  OGC will also be holding 
> an ad hoc session at our next Technical Committee meeting in Boulder, 
> CO, USA in June 1st (more details will be send soon) to bring together 
> all interested from all sectors (government, industry, academia) for 
> this and plan next steps. We welcome feedback and input from Esri and 
> invite them to join this effort to  support open LIDAR formats.
>
> I thank you all again for your attention and support for this 
> important matter.
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Suchith Anand
> Founder, GeoForAll
> http://www.geoforall.org <http://www.geoforall.org/>
>
>
>
> -------- Forwarded Message --------
>
> *Subject: *
>
> 	
>
> Please review: Open Letter asking to avoid format fragmentation in 
> LiDAR standards
>
> *Date: *
>
> 	
>
> Sat, 11 Apr 2015 12:14:51 +1000
>
> *From: *
>
> 	
>
> Cameron Shorter <cameron.shorter at gmail.com> 
> <mailto:cameron.shorter at gmail.com>
>
> *To: *
>
> 	
>
> standards at lists.osgeo.org <mailto:standards at lists.osgeo.org> 
> <standards at lists.osgeo.org> <mailto:standards at lists.osgeo.org>
>
>
>
> Hi all,
> A number of us have been collaboratively developing an Open Letter 
> asking key stakeholders to avoid fragmentation in LiDAR standards.
>
> It starts:
> /We, the undersigned, are concerned that the current interoperability 
> between LiDAR applications, through use of the open "LAS" format, is 
> being threatened by ESRI's introduction and promotion of an 
> alternative "Optimized LAS" proprietary format. This is of concern 
> since the fragmentation of the LAS format will lead to reduced 
> interoperability between applications and organisations, and introduce 
> vendor lock-in./
>
> Could all interested please:
> 1. Review and provide feedback to this standards email list
> 2. If you agree with the letter, please add your name to the "Signed" 
> section
>
> -- 
> Cameron Shorter,
> Software and Data Solutions Manager
> LISAsoft
> Suite 112, Jones Bay Wharf,
> 26 - 32 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont NSW 2009
>   
> P +61 2 9009 5000,  Wwww.lisasoft.com  <http://www.lisasoft.com>,  F +61 2 9009 5099
>
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-- 
Cameron Shorter,
Software and Data Solutions Manager
LISAsoft
Suite 112, Jones Bay Wharf,
26 - 32 Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont NSW 2009

P +61 2 9009 5000,  W www.lisasoft.com,  F +61 2 9009 5099

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