MapServer Foundation - Open Letter

[Puneet Kishor]

Peter Giencke wrote:
>  
> I like the sound of Mapserver CE.

Horrible idea.

First, reminds me of Windows CE. Makes me wince.

Second, gives the impression that there are other editions of MapServer. 
Which leads to more work and confusion... which one should I get, what 
will I lose, what will I gain.

There is no substitute for simplicity, as much as we might be tempted to 
otherwise.

In response to another email, Apache is _the_ webserver. When anyone 
says Apache, it is very clear the talk is about the httpd server. 
Everything else, Apache Ant, Apache Tomcat, etc., is a qualified 
software, and mostly in a different category functionally.

MapServer does one thing best -- it takes geographic data and puts it on 
the web. It serves maps. Just let it be MapServer.

In my view the only time and way it would merit an "Enterprise" moniker 
would be when/if it came packaged with PostGIS.


> 
>>>> Adam <adam at JAMRADAR.COM> 11/29/05 9:34 PM >>>
> MapServer Community Edition is good.
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "thomas bonfort" <thomas.bonfort at GMAIL.COM>
> To: <MAPSERVER-USERS at LISTS.UMN.EDU>
> Sent: Monday, November 28, 2005 2:05 PM
> Subject: Re: [UMN_MAPSERVER-USERS] MapServer Foundation - Open Letter
> 
> 
>> +1 with david, I don't think adding a somewhat artificial suffix to
>> mapserver adds any value.
>> how about a simple "Mapserver community edition" or something in the
> likes?
>> --
>> tb
>>
>> On 11/28/05, Fawcett, David <David.Fawcett at state.mn.us> wrote:
>>> 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).