Thanks for the comments, please see in-line for follow-on comments.
On 3 September 2012 02:44, Jody Garnett
<jody.garnett@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> There is a natural interest to provide similar services as part of
> LocationTech. The obvious options are:
> 1) Do a LocationTech sub-conference of EclipseCon/EclipseCon Europe
Check. I am interested to learn more of the demographics of these conferences and what an appropriate message would be for outreach activities.
EclipseCon/EclipseCon Europe have a good focus on developer interests, as one would hope and expect from such a conference. Through IWG meetings, the exhibit hall, and other complementary meetings there's a really nice business current as well. Also, both have done a great job partnering with other sub-conferences to extend the program beyond developer tools.
The bottom line is traditionally there hasn't been much spatial content at either. This isn't surprising. A key goal at LocationTech is to take spatial technology mainstream into enterprise IT and this may be a good vehicle towards doing so. The value from a combined event would attract a very interesting audience. Candidly, my primary concern related to whether this might work is the noticeable difference in pricing between EclipseCon & a typical regional FOSS4G event. This isn't insurmountable of course - I mention it to be up front to stimulate thought.
> 2) Do stand-alone conferences for LocationTech
I suspect we will need some more content first.
Agreed. Although such an event does not need to be LocationTech exclusive. Most conferences, EclipseCon and FOSS4G included have many talks beyond the foundation hosted projects. This is a good thing.
> 3) Get involved with other established events, such as FOSS4G as a notable example.
I would be good to try and take part in the regional FOSS4G conferences (for example FOSS4G-NA).
I've talked with David Bitner about exactly this for Minneapolis. It just makes sense.
> These options are not necessarily mutually exclusive.
>
> There may be some potential to build on the "Friends of Eclipse" program
> and offer a LocationTech annual subscription. For example, $49 a year
> gives you a discount at many events, a discount with many vendors,
> access to conference videos sooner, downloads from faster servers, etc.
While I am familiar with the "Friends of Eclipse" program and sign up each year; I have never tracked any of
its benefits beyond the obvious support the eclipse foundation; and access to download server.
The Asterisk conference bridge, used by many projects is a tangible example of the program at work. Equipment purchases from time to time. Also, if I'm not mistaken, some of the funds are used to bring students and others who might not otherwise be able to make the conferences.
People who know me can spot the obvious connection to FOSSLC - supporting the good work they've been doing in support of many projects/communities for a triple win.
One idea would be to have a google hangout session with the development team for "Friends of LocationTech"; the resulting Q&A hangout can edited up and published at a later date.
We can do that today. I'm enthusiastic to do this any time. Cesium will do a session. If uDig is interested, we can do one for it as well.
Jody
