Dear All,
Discussions started informally back in 2011. By 2012, there were more
formal discussions ongoing including a face to face meeting with Michael
Gerlek who was appointed by the OSGeo board to represent OSGeo. I wanted
to say publicly that Michael's work was extremely professional and I was
very impressed.
I believe it's fair to say reaction was similar back then. Many people
saw many positives in working closely together. Some asked if the two
organizations could be one. Like today, there were some who were very
fearful. Those that supported working closely together felt it was best
not to push too hard. Discussions have continued since then over the
past 3-4 years focusing on specific collaboration on a case by case basis.
During that time, LocationTech has sponsored and its projects
participated in 2 FOSS4Gs. It was asked by an OSGeo board member to
organize FOSS4G NA 2015. It has provided discrete feedback to OSGeo
projects regarding intellectual property related issues in OSGeo
projects so they could be fixed. OSGeo projects were well represented on
the 2013 LocationTech tour and again in 2014. I hope these things are
seen as a significant positive force.
I would like to draw attention to the fact that LocationTech's growth
has not taken anything away from OSGeo. In fairness, building upon what
Steven Feldman eloquently put, the problems OSGeo faces are problems
today were faced before LocationTech existed, and since.
It's fair to say there is tension to collaborate more closely since the
strengths of OSGeo & LocationTech complement each other despite some
overlap. LocationTech & the Eclipse Foundation are *offering* to help
solve some of the problems we've been talking about in OSGeo for many
years. It's been 4 years and the offer hasn't been withdrawn nor really
pushed despite fearful attempts to portray it as otherwise.
Andrew
On 15/09/14 20:28, Venkatesh Raghavan wrote:
On 9/16/2014 10:48 AM, Richard Greenwood wrote:
I don't get it, and my question is moot at this point in time, but why do
we need a new foundation? Why couldn't OSGeo have provided what
LocationTech purports to provide? Was there any discussion, or awareness,
in the OSGeo board prior to the formation of LocationTech?
Very pertinent questions form Rich. I hope we will receive some lucid
answers.
Best
Venka
Rich
On Mon, Sep 15, 2014 at 4:18 PM, Jeff McKenna <jmcke...@gatewaygeomatics.com
wrote:
Arnulf,
I definitely agree that both foundations fill a role and need to exist.
The point I am trying to make is that we have the power to change OSGeo,
if we feel some needs are not being met well.
I used too strong of words again, I am sorry.
-jeff
On 2014-09-15 2:59 PM, Arnulf Christl wrote:
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Jeff,
I believe that Daniel is actually right in what he says - given that I
understand the point he is trying to make. There are differences
between OSGeo and LocationTech and trying to talk them away will not
get us anywhere. And its not "bad" or "goo" either way, we just
operate differently.
The point is that in OSGeo you cannot move anything at all as a
business, not directly. In LocationTech you become a corporate member,
pay money and in return have influence over certain things and get
support. Directly geared towards your specific needs. OSGeo does none
of those things.
As an individual (with or without business) you can become the
committee chair and an OSGeo officer with absolutely no preconditions,
no money needed, no organizational backing and no other hierarchy.
Just because othes think you are doing a cool job and have accumulated
enough merit to go ahead as a leader. This would not work in this way
in LocationTech.
Both ways have reasons to exist and are good. Right?
Cheers.
Arnulf
Am 2014-09-15 10:45, schrieb Jeff McKenna:
On 2014-09-15 1:22 PM, Daniel Morissette wrote:
the members in OSGeo are individuals and the members in
Eclipse/LocationTech are businesses
Daniel this statement is not true, regarding OSGeo. OSGeo members
are made up of all walks of life, and many are running private
businesses all around the world. I have visited their
organizations/offices myself in my FOSS4G travels throughout the
years.
However I cannot change how you feel.
This part is unfortunate, these strong statements made publicly,
which I feel are made to divide our community.
Let me reinforce: our OSGeo community and our FOSS4G events (of
all sizes) are geared for everyone and anyone, with no sole focus
on one type of community. And as the President of OSGeo, I am
happy to represent all of the members, of any kind :)
-jeff
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