Re: [OSGeo-Discuss] Is there an Open Source software application that will draw a graticule on a map?

2007-10-31 Thread Markus Neteler
Hi Brent,

(remembering this thread...) some new cartography
screenshots arrived:
  http://grass.itc.it/screenshots/cartography.php

Cheers
Markus

On 9/7/07, Markus Neteler [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
 Hi Brent,

 with GRASS' ps.map you can do that rather easily:

 - define the raster and vector map names
 - define (optionally) legend stuff
 - activate geogrid to overlay a geographic grid onto the output map
 - define paper size

 It generated a Postscript file (use ps2pdf to make PDF) which
 can be printed then.

 See
  http://grass.itc.it/gdp/html_grass63/ps.map.html

 Example screenshot (a bit low-res, sorry):
 http://www.gdf-hannover.de/lit_html/grass60_v1.2/img35.png

 Code for that map:
 http://www.gdf-hannover.de/lit_html/grass60_v1.2_en/node78.html

 Markus

 On 9/6/07, Brent Fraser [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
  Hi all,
 
I've been looking for an Open Source desktop application
  that will:
 
  1. Combine raster and vector spatial data, and (re)project
  them
  2. Render a graticule (lines and labels showing latitude and
  longitude) (and no, I don't want to create a shapefile to do
  that)
  3. Print to a large format plotter (paper 24 inches wide or
  greater)
 
  So far I've looked at uDig, Quantum GIS, and gvSig.  As far
  as I can tell, none of them can do Step 2, and only gvSig
  does Step 3 successfully.
 
  Any pointers would be appreciated!
 
  Brent Fraser
  GeoAnalytic Inc.
  Calgary, Alberta
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Re: [OSGeo-Discuss] Board Proposal: Statement of OSGeo Legal Support

2007-10-31 Thread Jody Garnett
Not quite yet Landon; Jo was kind enough to contact someone with a few 
questions already (I cannot remember which organization but their seems 
to be several). Adrian Custer was also in contact with some FSF types.


Until the board decides on the scope of its activities I do  not want to 
trouble people further; suffice to say it looks like there are 
organizations around willing to help a non profit such as OSGeo out.


The real question is what scope do you want the Foundation to have?
Jody

Landon Blake wrote:


I have a contact at the Freedom Law Center. If no one here objects I 
could send an e-mail inquiring about legal services or advice for the 
OSGeo.


 


Landon

 




*From:* [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] *On Behalf Of 
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

*Sent:* Tuesday, October 30, 2007 10:27 PM
*To:* OSGeo Discussions
*Subject:* Re: [OSGeo-Discuss] Board Proposal: Statement of OSGeo 
Legal Support


 



IMO


Good call Cameron.


In this day and age it would pay to be proactive on these types of 
issues.



It's been a while since I last looked at this.

From memory, a number of large companies have pledged resources to 
help defend FOSS. I'm not sure where this is at currently.


I think that its with the Linux Foundation - 
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Linux_Foundation (formed in 2007 
from The Open Source Development Labs and the Free Standards Group).


You may also want to look at the Software Freedom Law Centre founded 
by Eben Moglen. I understand that they provide pro-bono legal services 
to protect and advance Free and Open Source Software:


http://www.softwarefreedom.org/technology/



Bruce
 




*Cameron Shorter [EMAIL PROTECTED]*
Sent by: [EMAIL PROTECTED]

31/10/07 09:30 AM

Please respond to
OSGeo Discussions discuss@lists.osgeo.org



To



OSGeo Discussions discuss@lists.osgeo.org

cc



 


Subject



Re: [OSGeo-Discuss] Board Proposal: Statement of OSGeo Legal Support

 

 




 





Good processes + no money is an acceptable strategy so long as we have
consciously made this decision and everyone is aware of the strategy.

Allan Doyle wrote:

 On Oct 30, 2007, at 15:09 , Michael P. Gerlek wrote:

 Way back on that cold day in Chicago, I'm not sure anyone ever really
 thought about what it would mean when we said we'd offer legal
 protection.

 Does it imply/lead-to/entail some sort of indemnification?  Ouch, that
 would be pricey...  How does the Apache gang, et al, handle this?

 My recollection is that the Apache gang carefully keeps their coffers
 empty and makes sure the code all legally belongs to the Apache
 Foundation. Thus there's not enough of a pot of gold to win in a suit.

 However, I'm guessing that this strategy depends on a pretty
 well-defined process to ensure there are no loopholes.

 Allan



 -mpg



 -Original Message-
 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Landon Blake
 Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2007 7:56 AM
 To: OSGeo Discussions
 Subject: RE: [OSGeo-Discuss] Board Proposal: Statement of
 OSGeo Legal Support

 Cameron,

 I think this is an excellent idea, and a lawyer should definitely be
 consulted. I wonder if the legal staff at the Software Freedom
 Conservancy could assist.

 Landon

 -Original Message-
 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Cameron Shorter
 Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2007 3:56 AM
 To: OSGeo-Board
 Cc: OSGeo Discussions; Adrian Custer
 Subject: [OSGeo-Discuss] Board Proposal: Statement of OSGeo Legal
 Support

 OSGeo Board, (CC to OSGeo Discuss),

 During the founding of OSGeo, it was often noted that OSGeo projects
 would benefit from OSGeo legal protection. Now, as Geotools wrestles
 with graduation criteria and how to handle license assignment, the
 nature and level of legal protection offered by OSGeo is
 unclear. Also
 unclear is the level of legal review available (as tested by Geotools
 crafting of a Copywrite Assignment document).
 Consequently, geotools is having difficulty deciding whether
 it is wise
 to assign copywrite to OSGeo.

 I suspect a large part of the problem is that board members (like
 myself) are not lawyers and don't have a clear understanding of the
 options, the value of each of the options to OSGeo and the
 projects (how
 much protection is given), and the cost both in time and financially.
 Key questions to answer for each option are:
 * What level of support is given to contributors and license reviewers
 (individuals and companies)
 * What level of support is given to OSGeo users?
 * What level of support is given to projects? Will OSGeo
 fight a license
 infringer on behalf of a project?
 * What level of support is given to the OSGeo Foundation?

 *Proposal*
 That the board makes a clear statement on their website about
 nature and
 level of support offered by OSGeo to OSGeo projects and Individuals.
 This 

RE: [OSGeo-Discuss] Board Proposal: Statement of OSGeo Legal Support

2007-10-31 Thread Landon Blake
I have a contact at the Freedom Law Center. If no one here objects I
could send an e-mail inquiring about legal services or advice for the
OSGeo.

 

Landon

 



From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2007 10:27 PM
To: OSGeo Discussions
Subject: Re: [OSGeo-Discuss] Board Proposal: Statement of OSGeo Legal
Support

 


IMO 


Good call Cameron. 


In this day and age it would pay to be proactive on these types of
issues. 


It's been a while since I last looked at this. 

From memory, a number of large companies have pledged resources to help
defend FOSS. I'm not sure where this is at currently. 

I think that its with the Linux Foundation -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Linux_Foundation (formed in 2007 from
The Open Source Development Labs and the Free Standards Group). 

You may also want to look at the Software Freedom Law Centre founded by
Eben Moglen. I understand that they provide pro-bono legal services to
protect and advance Free and Open Source Software: 

http://www.softwarefreedom.org/technology/ 



Bruce 
  





Cameron Shorter [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
Sent by: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 

31/10/07 09:30 AM 

Please respond to
OSGeo Discussions discuss@lists.osgeo.org

To

OSGeo Discussions discuss@lists.osgeo.org 

cc

 

Subject

Re: [OSGeo-Discuss] Board Proposal: Statement of OSGeo Legal Support

 

 

 




Good processes + no money is an acceptable strategy so long as we have 
consciously made this decision and everyone is aware of the strategy.

Allan Doyle wrote:

 On Oct 30, 2007, at 15:09 , Michael P. Gerlek wrote:

 Way back on that cold day in Chicago, I'm not sure anyone ever really
 thought about what it would mean when we said we'd offer legal
 protection.

 Does it imply/lead-to/entail some sort of indemnification?  Ouch,
that
 would be pricey...  How does the Apache gang, et al, handle this?

 My recollection is that the Apache gang carefully keeps their coffers 
 empty and makes sure the code all legally belongs to the Apache 
 Foundation. Thus there's not enough of a pot of gold to win in a suit.

 However, I'm guessing that this strategy depends on a pretty 
 well-defined process to ensure there are no loopholes.

 Allan



 -mpg



 -Original Message-
 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Landon Blake
 Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2007 7:56 AM
 To: OSGeo Discussions
 Subject: RE: [OSGeo-Discuss] Board Proposal: Statement of
 OSGeo Legal Support

 Cameron,

 I think this is an excellent idea, and a lawyer should definitely be
 consulted. I wonder if the legal staff at the Software Freedom
 Conservancy could assist.

 Landon

 -Original Message-
 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Cameron
Shorter
 Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2007 3:56 AM
 To: OSGeo-Board
 Cc: OSGeo Discussions; Adrian Custer
 Subject: [OSGeo-Discuss] Board Proposal: Statement of OSGeo Legal
 Support

 OSGeo Board, (CC to OSGeo Discuss),

 During the founding of OSGeo, it was often noted that OSGeo projects
 would benefit from OSGeo legal protection. Now, as Geotools wrestles
 with graduation criteria and how to handle license assignment, the
 nature and level of legal protection offered by OSGeo is
 unclear. Also
 unclear is the level of legal review available (as tested by
Geotools
 crafting of a Copywrite Assignment document).
 Consequently, geotools is having difficulty deciding whether
 it is wise
 to assign copywrite to OSGeo.

 I suspect a large part of the problem is that board members (like
 myself) are not lawyers and don't have a clear understanding of the
 options, the value of each of the options to OSGeo and the
 projects (how
 much protection is given), and the cost both in time and
financially.
 Key questions to answer for each option are:
 * What level of support is given to contributors and license
reviewers
 (individuals and companies)
 * What level of support is given to OSGeo users?
 * What level of support is given to projects? Will OSGeo
 fight a license
 infringer on behalf of a project?
 * What level of support is given to the OSGeo Foundation?

 *Proposal*
 That the board makes a clear statement on their website about
 nature and
 level of support offered by OSGeo to OSGeo projects and Individuals.
 This statement needs to be backed up with a budget item addressing
 financial implications related to the statement.

 Implementation:
 I suggest the steps to achieve the above would be:
 1. Board approves budget to have a lawyer, or volunteer with legal
 review, to draw up a list of options and their financial
 implications.
 Adrian Custer's review provides an excellent basis for a
 lawyer to start

 from.
http://docs.codehaus.org/display/GEOTOOLS/Geotools+Legal+Review
 2. Board votes to select best option.
 3. OSGeo financial sponsors are given opportunity to contribute to
 decision.
 4. OSGeo budgets for decision
 5. OSGeo 

[OSGeo-Discuss] Scope of OSGeo Legal Support

2007-10-31 Thread Jody Garnett
Hi Cameron; I am catching up on these threads ... it seems a lot of them 
are often in private email.


Your proposal is indeed where we want to be; the problem with planning 
(especially when there is money involved) is that we all get stuck in 
risk management mode and do not want to say much for fear of it costing 
cold hard cash.


It looks like (since OSGeo is a non profit) that there is a range of 
organizations willing to donate us some legal time and advice. I 
recommend we make use of these facilities as we set up; rather than 
scare the board with a budget request.


Even in the case where the foundation does not wish to play a hands on 
roll; we will still need to set the standard for the incubation process. 
At the end of the day we want others feel comfortable using and 
contributing to the projects championed by the foundation. The standard 
we hold these projects and contributors to is where the reputation of 
OSGeo foundation comes from.


Jody

OSGeo Board, (CC to OSGeo Discuss),

During the founding of OSGeo, it was often noted that OSGeo projects
would benefit from OSGeo legal protection. Now, as Geotools wrestles
with graduation criteria and how to handle license assignment, the
nature and level of legal protection offered by OSGeo is unclear. Also 
unclear is the level of legal review available (as tested by Geotools 
crafting of a Copywrite Assignment document).

Consequently, geotools is having difficulty deciding whether it is wise
to assign copywrite to OSGeo.

I suspect a large part of the problem is that board members (like
myself) are not lawyers and don't have a clear understanding of the
options, the value of each of the options to OSGeo and the projects (how
much protection is given), and the cost both in time and financially.
Key questions to answer for each option are:
* What level of support is given to contributors and license reviewers
(individuals and companies)
* What level of support is given to OSGeo users?
* What level of support is given to projects? Will OSGeo fight a license
infringer on behalf of a project?
* What level of support is given to the OSGeo Foundation?

*Proposal*
That the board makes a clear statement on their website about nature and
level of support offered by OSGeo to OSGeo projects and Individuals.
This statement needs to be backed up with a budget item addressing
financial implications related to the statement.

Implementation:
I suggest the steps to achieve the above would be:
1. Board approves budget to have a lawyer, or volunteer with legal
review, to draw up a list of options and their financial implications. 
Adrian Custer's review provides an excellent basis for a lawyer to 
start from. 
http://docs.codehaus.org/display/GEOTOOLS/Geotools+Legal+Review

2. Board votes to select best option.
3. OSGeo financial sponsors are given opportunity to contribute to 
decision.

4. OSGeo budgets for decision
5. OSGeo records the legal stance publicly (on a webpage).



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RE: [OSGeo-Discuss] Board Proposal: Statement of OSGeo Legal Support

2007-10-31 Thread Landon Blake
Arnulf wrote:  As long as we have more or less empty pockets and do not
aim at leveraging money as a major facilitator against anybody and we
continue to build our brand as being a straight group of spatial FOSS
addicts there is little reason to get at us from the legal side anyway.
What would you get? A bad reputation, little or no money at all and a
large bunch of really angry people. Hooray, lets go sue some
Foundations.

This is good point. However, I don't think we should forget the
possibility of legal action that doesn't seek money, but to simply shut
down an organization. Lawsuits can be very scary things, and I think we
can all bring to mind or FOSS project or two that was shut down because
of the mere threat of a lawsuit. Sometimes it only takes a nasty letter
from a lawyer to shut things down.

Arnulf wrote:  We should get a lawyer only when we need one as we
cannot anticipate in which context we will need her.

In my humble opinion it is always better to talk to a layer sooner
rather than latter, especially if we can do it for free. But Arnulf is
correct, we should have specific topics to discuss. Perhaps we need to
create a well defined scope for the OSGeo and then talk to a lawyer
about issues we need to be aware of based on that scope?

Landon

-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Arnulf Christl
Sent: Wednesday, October 31, 2007 11:08 AM
To: OSGeo Discussions
Subject: Re: [OSGeo-Discuss] Board Proposal: Statement of OSGeo Legal
Support

Cameron Shorter wrote:
 Good processes + no money is an acceptable strategy so long as we have

 consciously made this decision and everyone is aware of the strategy.

Hello,
keeping budgets low already is a corporate strategy of OSGeo as far as I
am concerned. I am eager to extend this strategy to Legal Support. We
are not here to fight legal wars but to further Free and Open Source
Software. Whenever someone does want to pick on us we should have a
solid ground and we have this with the incubation guidelines as they
are. All that has to  happen then will then happen, not now. 

As long as we have more or less empty pockets and do not aim at
leveraging money as a major facilitator against anybody and we continue
to build our brand as being a straight group of spatial FOSS addicts
there is little reason to get at us from the legal side anyway. What
would you get? A bad reputation, little or no money at all and a large
bunch of really angry people. Hooray, lets go sue some Foundations. 

I disagree with Frank and find that Adrian Custer's proposed document
for the GeoTools Project is a good starting point. As everything in this
world it is not perfect and it will develop in future. Additionally I
think we do not even need this document if it gives anybody a headache. 

My personal opinion is that a lot of the discussion is beside the point
and we are oftentimes confusing copyright, ownership, originator's
rights, branding and what really makes up a project - the community
around it. We should get a lawyer only when we need one as we cannot
anticipate in which context we will need her. Please never ever be IANAL
again, I am tired of reading that phrase. 

Call me simplistic but I am still of the strong opinion that all we need
to do is get some GeoTools developers go through the project files,
change the Copyright to point at OSGeo and commit. My only concern was
that the developers might feel they lose control and OSGeo could go
berserk and sell the code Copyright to some big bad corporation. I think
it simply cannot. And even if it did it wouldn't make any difference as
anybody can always fork the last GNUed one and go for it. Can we get
over it, please and let GeoTools graduate?  

Best regards, 
Arnulf. 


 Allan Doyle wrote:

 On Oct 30, 2007, at 15:09 , Michael P. Gerlek wrote:

 Way back on that cold day in Chicago, I'm not sure anyone ever
really
 thought about what it would mean when we said we'd offer legal
 protection.

 Does it imply/lead-to/entail some sort of indemnification?  Ouch,
that
 would be pricey...  How does the Apache gang, et al, handle this?

 My recollection is that the Apache gang carefully keeps their coffers

 empty and makes sure the code all legally belongs to the Apache 
 Foundation. Thus there's not enough of a pot of gold to win in a
suit.

 However, I'm guessing that this strategy depends on a pretty 
 well-defined process to ensure there are no loopholes.

 Allan



 -mpg



 -Original Message-
 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Landon Blake
 Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2007 7:56 AM
 To: OSGeo Discussions
 Subject: RE: [OSGeo-Discuss] Board Proposal: Statement of
 OSGeo Legal Support

 Cameron,

 I think this is an excellent idea, and a lawyer should definitely
be
 consulted. I wonder if the legal staff at the Software Freedom
 Conservancy could assist.

 Landon

 -Original Message-
 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 [mailto:[EMAIL 

Re: [OSGeo-Discuss] Board Proposal: Statement of OSGeo Legal Support

2007-10-31 Thread Arnulf Christl

Cameron Shorter wrote:
Good processes + no money is an acceptable strategy so long as we have 
consciously made this decision and everyone is aware of the strategy.


Hello,
keeping budgets low already is a corporate strategy of OSGeo as far as I am concerned. I am eager to extend this strategy to Legal Support. We are not here to fight legal wars but to further Free and Open Source Software. Whenever someone does want to pick on us we should have a solid ground and we have this with the incubation guidelines as they are. All that has to  happen then will then happen, not now. 

As long as we have more or less empty pockets and do not aim at leveraging money as a major facilitator against anybody and we continue to build our brand as being a straight group of spatial FOSS addicts there is little reason to get at us from the legal side anyway. What would you get? A bad reputation, little or no money at all and a large bunch of really angry people. Hooray, lets go sue some Foundations. 

I disagree with Frank and find that Adrian Custer's proposed document for the GeoTools Project is a good starting point. As everything in this world it is not perfect and it will develop in future. Additionally I think we do not even need this document if it gives anybody a headache. 

My personal opinion is that a lot of the discussion is beside the point and we are oftentimes confusing copyright, ownership, originator's rights, branding and what really makes up a project - the community around it. We should get a lawyer only when we need one as we cannot anticipate in which context we will need her. Please never ever be IANAL again, I am tired of reading that phrase. 

Call me simplistic but I am still of the strong opinion that all we need to do is get some GeoTools developers go through the project files, change the Copyright to point at OSGeo and commit. My only concern was that the developers might feel they lose control and OSGeo could go berserk and sell the code Copyright to some big bad corporation. I think it simply cannot. And even if it did it wouldn't make any difference as anybody can always fork the last GNUed one and go for it. Can we get over it, please and let GeoTools graduate?  

Best regards, 
Arnulf. 




Allan Doyle wrote:


On Oct 30, 2007, at 15:09 , Michael P. Gerlek wrote:


Way back on that cold day in Chicago, I'm not sure anyone ever really
thought about what it would mean when we said we'd offer legal
protection.

Does it imply/lead-to/entail some sort of indemnification?  Ouch, that
would be pricey...  How does the Apache gang, et al, handle this?


My recollection is that the Apache gang carefully keeps their coffers 
empty and makes sure the code all legally belongs to the Apache 
Foundation. Thus there's not enough of a pot of gold to win in a suit.


However, I'm guessing that this strategy depends on a pretty 
well-defined process to ensure there are no loopholes.


Allan




-mpg




-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Landon Blake
Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2007 7:56 AM
To: OSGeo Discussions
Subject: RE: [OSGeo-Discuss] Board Proposal: Statement of
OSGeo Legal Support

Cameron,

I think this is an excellent idea, and a lawyer should definitely be
consulted. I wonder if the legal staff at the Software Freedom
Conservancy could assist.

Landon

-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Cameron Shorter
Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2007 3:56 AM
To: OSGeo-Board
Cc: OSGeo Discussions; Adrian Custer
Subject: [OSGeo-Discuss] Board Proposal: Statement of OSGeo Legal
Support

OSGeo Board, (CC to OSGeo Discuss),

During the founding of OSGeo, it was often noted that OSGeo projects
would benefit from OSGeo legal protection. Now, as Geotools wrestles
with graduation criteria and how to handle license assignment, the
nature and level of legal protection offered by OSGeo is
unclear. Also
unclear is the level of legal review available (as tested by Geotools
crafting of a Copywrite Assignment document).
Consequently, geotools is having difficulty deciding whether
it is wise
to assign copywrite to OSGeo.

I suspect a large part of the problem is that board members (like
myself) are not lawyers and don't have a clear understanding of the
options, the value of each of the options to OSGeo and the
projects (how
much protection is given), and the cost both in time and financially.
Key questions to answer for each option are:
* What level of support is given to contributors and license reviewers
(individuals and companies)
* What level of support is given to OSGeo users?
* What level of support is given to projects? Will OSGeo
fight a license
infringer on behalf of a project?
* What level of support is given to the OSGeo Foundation?

*Proposal*
That the board makes a clear statement on their website about
nature and
level of support offered by OSGeo to OSGeo projects and Individuals.
This statement needs 

Re: [OSGeo-Discuss] Board Proposal: Statement of OSGeo Legal Support

2007-10-31 Thread Jody Garnett

Arnulf Christl wrote:

Cameron Shorter wrote:
Good processes + no money is an acceptable strategy so long as we 
have consciously made this decision and everyone is aware of the 
strategy.


Hello,
keeping budgets low already is a corporate strategy of OSGeo as far as 
I am concerned. I am eager to extend this strategy to Legal Support. 
We are not here to fight legal wars but to further Free and Open 
Source Software.
Odd; not what I signed up for. For me an open source foundation is there 
to protect and promote. Without both I am stuck shopping around to other 
foundations for help; a bit of a waste of my time.
Whenever someone does want to pick on us we should have a solid ground 
and we have this with the incubation guidelines as they are. All that 
has to  happen then will then happen, not now.
I do not believe that; the job of the first projects through the 
incubation process is to set the guidelines - as such they are still 
very much a work in progress.
As long as we have more or less empty pockets and do not aim at 
leveraging money as a major facilitator against anybody and we 
continue to build our brand as being a straight group of spatial FOSS 
addicts there is little reason to get at us from the legal side 
anyway. What would you get? A bad reputation, little or no money at 
all and a large bunch of really angry people. Hooray, lets go sue some 
Foundations.
Depends what you are after; as Paul's recent blog shows patents and so 
forth are a very strange chess game and these older open source projects 
are a large body of prior art. We have already had to remove code 
violating patents from GeoTools; and I trust we will need to do so again.
My personal opinion is that a lot of the discussion is beside the 
point and we are oftentimes confusing copyright, ownership, 
originator's rights, branding and what really makes up a project - the 
community around it. We should get a lawyer only when we need one as 
we cannot anticipate in which context we will need her. Please never 
ever be IANAL again, I am tired of reading that phrase.
Fair enough; on a pragmatic front the only reason I care about this 
stuff at all is because I hate getting email to the effect of We did a 
review 6 months ago and felt your project was too risky. I am trying to 
be proactive about contributors fears; so that all this legal stuff 
stops separating the community.
Call me simplistic but I am still of the strong opinion that all we 
need to do is get some GeoTools developers go through the project 
files, change the Copyright to point at OSGeo and commit. My only 
concern was that the developers might feel they lose control and OSGeo 
could go berserk and sell the code Copyright to some big bad corporation. 
Actually we are ready to do just that; we have a change proposal page 
to that effect sitting there ready to go. The GeoTools PMC approved this 
direction over a year ago.


What we don't want to do is inflict a codebase on the OSGeo board 
without them feeling comfortable about what they are signing up for.
I think it simply cannot. And even if it did it wouldn't make any 
difference as anybody can always fork the last GNUed one and go for 
it. Can we get over it, please and let GeoTools graduate?
This discussion; and definition of scope; is exactly what the GeoTools 
incubation process is supposed to be contributing to the foundation. Yes 
we could graduate at any time (simply by changing our policy so that 
contributors retain copyright - like half the OSGeo projects); that 
would be a disservice to the next project through the gates.


Cheers,
Jody
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Re: [OSGeo-Discuss] Is there an Open Source software application that will draw a graticule on a map?

2007-10-31 Thread Paolo Cavallini
Markus Neteler ha scritto:
 Hi Brent,
 
 (remembering this thread...) some new cartography
 screenshots arrived:
   http://grass.itc.it/screenshots/cartography.php
 

a couple of pages are missing:
http://grass.itc.it/screenshots/images/lake_mimac.jpg
http://grass.itc.it/screenshots/images/lake_charles.jpg
nice shots!
all the best.
pc
-- 
Paolo Cavallini, see: http://www.faunalia.it/pc



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Re: [OSGeo-Discuss] Is there an Open Source software application that will draw a graticule on a map?

2007-10-31 Thread Markus Neteler
On 10/31/07, Paolo Cavallini [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
 Markus Neteler ha scritto:
  Hi Brent,
 
  (remembering this thread...) some new cartography
  screenshots arrived:
http://grass.itc.it/screenshots/cartography.php
 

 a couple of pages are missing:
 http://grass.itc.it/screenshots/images/lake_mimac.jpg
 http://grass.itc.it/screenshots/images/lake_charles.jpg

We are working on this slowly... please stay tuned...

Markus

 nice shots!
 all the best.
 pc
 --
 Paolo Cavallini, see: http://www.faunalia.it/pc
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