MapServer Foundation - Open Letter

[Steve Lime]

I look at this as an opportunity to brand something that never really had
one. Cripes, even around here the software has at least 3 names: MapServer, 
Minnesota MapServer and UMN MapServer. Which one is it? 

>>> "Fawcett, David" <David.Fawcett at STATE.MN.US> 11/28/05 1:53 PM >>>
My frustration is that there is a need to pick a random animal or
additional name to add to the product.  This just dilutes the value of
the current brand.  To me, MapServer is the product that we all use,
love/hate, contribute to, etc.  Not even U of M MapServer, just
MapServer.  

I hate to lose that brand.  AutoDesk taking on MapServer Enterprise, I
believe, will confuse a lot of people to think that it is a code
extension of MapServer or a Deluxe version of what is currently being
called 'Cheetah'.  They get more of the name than the original product
does.  

Maybe MapServer and MapServer Enterprise, just as confusing, but at
least we get to keep the original name and brand.  MapServer Core?
MapServer Foo Edition? ...  

My concern with branding has nothing to do with whether or not the
foundation is a good thing.  I think that it could be.  

David.  

-----Original Message-----
From: UMN MapServer Users List [mailto:MAPSERVER-USERS at LISTS.UMN.EDU] On
Behalf Of Andy Canfield
Sent: Monday, November 28, 2005 1:18 PM
To: MAPSERVER-USERS at LISTS.UMN.EDU 
Subject: Re: [UMN_MAPSERVER-USERS] MapServer Foundation - Open Letter


Do we get a say or is this already a done deal? From what I read on the
DM Solutions site it seems like this is pretty much a done deal. If it's
not I like "Osprey" as they have always been my favorite bird of prey
and I like the raptor idea way better than the cheeta thing.

On 11/28/05, Abe Gillespie <abe.gillespie at gmail.com> wrote:
> I like the raptor idea.  You got my vote Chip!
>
> See, this is how "community" is *supposed* to work.  :)
>
> -Abe
>
> On 11/28/05, Fawcett, David <David.Fawcett at state.mn.us> wrote:
> > The dolphin may be taken in the opensource world as well....
> >
> > http://www.mysql.com/ 
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: UMN MapServer Users List 
> > [mailto:MAPSERVER-USERS at LISTS.UMN.EDU] On Behalf Of Sears, Jeremy
> > Sent: Monday, November 28, 2005 1:04 PM
> > To: MAPSERVER-USERS at LISTS.UMN.EDU 
> > Subject: Re: [UMN_MAPSERVER-USERS] MapServer Foundation - Open 
> > Letter
> >
> >
> > I concur.
> > How about a dolphin? They're fast, agile and intelligent. If TV has 
> > taught us anything they are also friendly and fun to work with... 
> > just like Mapserver.
> >
> > Jeremy
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: UMN MapServer Users List 
> > [mailto:MAPSERVER-USERS at LISTS.UMN.EDU]On 
> > Behalf Of Abe Gillespie
> > Sent: November 28, 2005 1:55 PM
> > To: MAPSERVER-USERS at LISTS.UMN.EDU 
> > Subject: Re: [UMN_MAPSERVER-USERS] MapServer Foundation - Open
Letter
> >
> >
> > Honestly, Cheetah?  Hasn't Apple already monopolized all the large 
> > cat names?  Besides, there's an HTML server named Tomcat.
> >
> > Let's start our own naming cliche.
> >
> > -Abe
> >
> > On 11/28/05, Tyler Mitchell <tylermitchell at shaw.ca> wrote:
> > > > Are there any graphics wizards out there who could doctor a 
> > > > photo of
> >
> > > > a cheetah to look something like the cow in the attached jpeg? 
> > > > (I'm told that's a moo-cator projection...)
> > >
> > > You guys are sorta twisted ;)  and I'm even worse because I'll 
> > > probably
> > try something tonight :)
> > >
> > > I'm really excited about the foundation developments.  I have some

> > > notes
> > online about all the possible things a foundation could do:
> > > http://ms.gis.umn.edu/community/foundation 
> > >
> > > I look forward to your comments/feedback (but suggest it be moved 
> > > over
> >
> > > to
> > the foundation mailing list instead).
> > >
> >
>