The FOSS4G Train Blows the Whistle

Like a freight-train on a roller coaster track, FOSS4G is swinging by to pick up its ~700 registered attendees this weekend. Next week is packed full of exciting meetings and opportunities to learn more about open source geospatial software and its users. I may have bitten off more than I can chew for tasks at the event, but I just couldn't resist trying to squeeze every drop of value out of it. Here are some of the things to watch out for and, generally, where you'll find me during the week.

MapServer 101 Workshop

For a fourth year in a row, Jeff McKenna, Perry Nacionales (in absentia) and I will will put on our annual, sold out, introductory MapServer workshop. This year is the biggest crowd ever, over 80 pupils and likely no standing room for lurkers. If you are coming to it, feel free to introduce yourself by dropping me a note and tell us anything in particular you hope to get out of the workshop.

As an aside, a couple years ago we pulled together a MapServer Reference Guide for Vector Data Formats, specifically as a resource for pupils at this workshop. You can browse a copy here or download a PDF here.

OSGeo Annual General Meeting

This year we are hosting a more official get-together for OSGeo members and the broader community. On Monday evening, after the workshops at FOSS4G, there will be a 90 minute meeting including many reports updating you on the activities of OSGeo. You'll hear from our President, Frank Warmerdam, along with more than a dozen other project leaders and local chapter organisers. I hope you will join us for this informal meeting, especially if you are new to the OSGeo or want to meet many others face-to-face.

OSGeo Booth

During the FOSS4G exhibition OSGeo will have an exhibit booth area for users, members, sponsors and others to come and meet each other. Come to our booth in the centre of the exhibition hall to pick up propaganda, meet others and chat, or use the Internet Cafe to check your webmail to see what's up all your OSGeo mailing lists ;-). If you have a program, product or web site that shows off integration of open source apps, feel free to stop by and help promote the software by demonstrating it to others at the booth.

As usual, I will be at the booth, but can always use more help. If you have an hour or two to spare, stop by, say hello, and tell me to take five. I'll also have a video recorder handy for taking some impromptu interviews or news from the floor. No promises, but I hope to get some sort of streaming video online from the booth. You never know, you might even get some from a couple of the presentations... Watch here for more information.

Birds of a Feather Meetings

As usual, the BoF meetings are a hot topic leading up to the event. We have many people organising meet-ups - from casual "let's get together and chat about an idea" to "let's plan out the next year's plan of attack for X project"... it's a wide range of goals and concepts.

Keep your eyes posted during the registration desks for any last minute changes to the BoF schedule or room assignments, or to post your own! Try to keep the wiki page up to date as well. Warning - time is tight and rooms are too. Planning for a meet-up in a pub may end up being your best alternative if things get full.

Lots More....

Of course there are many great presentations, workshops and labs planned for the week as well. There is also the Code Sprint, Integration Demonstrations and much, much more.

Watch for press releases and announcements that are sure to pop up during the event.

Photos

If you are going to be at the event and have a camera (or your are at home lamenting the fact you are at home) tune into Flickr and tag your photos with "foss4g2007" - here they are so far. There is also a FOSS4G2007 Flickr Group.

I'm looking forward to meeting some new faces and seeing many of you face-to-face. Don't hesitate to drop by the booth or nudge me in the hallway if you want to chat.

Best wishes for you and your week,
Tyler