MapServer BOF at FOSS4G?

[Daniel Morissette]

Hi everyone

I would like to propose that we organize a MapServer BOF, or some kind 
of face to face meeting for the MapServer PSC at FOSS4G next week.

It would be good if the PSC took the habit to get together at least once 
a year, plus there are some topics that we should discuss with the wider 
community, especially relating to our vision for the future direction of 
MapServer.

You probably all remember that back in June, the discussion on RFC-22a 
turned into a debate on our respective visions for the future of 
MapServer and we concluded that it would be important to discuss and 
sort that out at a later time. I think this would be the time to do it.

I wanted to bring up the idea earlier, but I didn't think we could have 
this discussion without SteveL who was not expected to be going to 
FOSS4G. However I just found out that Steve will be able to make it to 
Victoria, that's why I am sending this email now.

Here are some topics I'd like to see discussed:

1- MapServer vision / future direction
    - Do we still stan by the "not a full-featured GIS system, nor does 
it aspire to be".
    - Do we prioritize speed/robustness, or features (hard to achieve 
both as features get more complex).
    - Try to come up with a vision statement:

2- MapServer vs Other projects:
    - Where we stand with respect to GeoServer, MapGuide and the like 
(competing or complementing?).

Other topics welcome, but keep in mind that just the above can easily 
fill an hour or two.

It seems that there are still slots available for BOFs on Tuesday night 
from 16:45 to 19:00. Would that work for everyone?
http://wiki.osgeo.org/index.php/FOSS4G2007_BOF_Sessions

The main issue is that some of us (myself included) may have wanted to 
be in other BOFs, so maybe we should try to pick another time and either 
meet in a hall or at the pub. Pub would be good if we want only the PSC 
members to meet, but we may want to include the wider community in a 
discussion about the future direction and in this case a BOF is really 
the way to go.

BTW, who from the PSC is going to be at FOSS4G next week?

I believe the following people already said they will be present:

DanielM, SteveL, FrankW, HowardB, TamasS, JeffM,

... and that the following people won't be:

AssefaY, TomK

What about others?

Comments/feedback on the meeting/BOF idea ASAP please.

Daniel
-- 
Daniel Morissette
http://www.mapgears.com/