Future of OSL in Jeopardy | OSU Open Source Lab

[TC Haddad]

Hi folks,

For those not aware, the Open Source Lab at Oregon State University (OSUOSL) is an important node for free and open source software, including many OSGeo projects which many here are users of. 

See below for an urgent (2 week) appeal for assistance / funding to help OSUOSL survive cuts that are being triggered by loss of funding elsewhere in the university...

Please share in your networks, especially if you have connections to potential donor entities that benefit from the FOSS projects hosted by OSUOSL or the other services they provide either directly or indirectly.

best,

Tanya

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Future of OSL in Jeopardy | OSU Open Source Lab
https://osuosl.org/blog/osl-future/

[Revello, Neil]

There is still funds from the 2014 FOS4G Conference.  Could we use some of these funds for the Lab.  Since FOS4G is the conference for Open Source Software (OSGeo) .I think this would be a great use of these funds.  It would not cover all of the funds needed but would be a start.

Thanks - Neil

 

Neil Revello, GISP

(503) 928-9424

neil.r...@portlandoregon.gov

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[Ryan Hodges]

I recognize that what Neil is proposing is not simple: a group with no formal roles or organization making decisions for how to use its funds in a short amount of time in a way that makes space for to include input and build consensus among its unofficial number of members sounds difficult.

I will also add, that if we CAN do anything to help, I support it: from posting a blurb about their situation and value on our website to donating some or all of our cash reserves.

To prompt a discussion, I will propose:

* We post a link to their funding appeal on our homepage

* We take a vote on donating $2,500 (1% of their need, a LARGE portion of our pizza fund) by 5:00 PM PDT next Friday, May 9th

I'd love to hear from others about counter proposals or 'seconds' so we can set up a vote (and ideas for how best to hold a vote).

Thanks,

~Ryan

[Rafa Gutierrez]

Good points, Ryan. I like that proposal and second it. Who counts as a member? Is anyone on this google group list considered a member? We have no other way of tracking that I can think of.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pdx-osgeo/06076137-ce31-40d0-98c0-c65d3d63e48cn%40googlegroups.com.

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Rafa Gutierrez

geografa.io

[David Percy]

I kind of oppose using our small amount of funds to help in this one-time bail out for a system that is going to require significant long-term funds, we would be such a small contribution relative to what they need.

If it was a matter of bridging them over until they could get better funding, I could see it.

This doesn't seem like a good use of our funds, to me.

Percy

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pdx-osgeo/CABKgm2ZXf6j-Y05u4uWPkar_0Ea%2Bp%3DdEWJo_3znaUFzt%2BzDh-A%40mail.gmail.com.

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David Percy ("Percy"), M.S.
-Spatial Data Science / GIS
-Instructor/Researcher
Portland State University
-pdx.edu/geology

[Ryan Hodges]

Excellent points, Percy!

As I read it, it sounds to me like you disagree with our group donating to any cause without a plan for how it can remain viable long term, and that this donation would not just drain our fund but set a poor precedent regarding when we should or should not engage in similar causes.

I would also add to your points that we do not have a plan for replenishing our funds, and that there are no shortage of other sources of science, technology, and community that find themselves scrambling to replace funding they have historically depended upon.

Would making a smaller donation sway your feelings (as in, do you have a counter-proposal that could be considered) or is this a straight up argument for 'no' on the proposal?

Thanks for engaging!

~Ryan

[Eli Adam]

The historical practice of "membership" has been self-declaration paired with attending meetings.  At any meeting (announced on the list including topics with at least 24 hours notice but ideally a week) we can have votes and make decisions.  We are required to take attendance and minutes of the meeting.  Discussion on the email list prior to the meeting is of course helpful as well.  

We could try voting on the list as well (although membership and attendance is slightly more difficult).

We have often taken a do-ocracy approach and a small number of people have led and organized meetings and affirmed decisions at meetings (Percy, Darrell, Tanya, Tim, Sarah, Rafa, and others have at times filled these roles).  There is also the interfacing with ORURISA and understanding our context within that.  There is also this gem about our leadership (BDFL), https://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/PDX-OSGEO#Leadership

Best regards, Eli 

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From: pdx-...@googlegroups.com <pdx-...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Ryan Hodges <ryan.d...@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, May 2, 2025 11:51 AM
To: PDX-OSGEO <pdx-...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [pdx-osgis] Future of OSL in Jeopardy | OSU Open Source Lab

 

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[David Percy]

That's hillarious! I totally forgot about somehow getting BDFL status :-)
I did represent yesterday in Geoffrey Duh's class as a guest representative of the Open Source community. I talked about our history, touted our victories, and encouraged folks to join us....

I'm not opposed to giving OSL 500 to $1000, if folks here want to do that. I'm just trying to maximize the good from our limited funds 

Cheers,

Percy

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pdx-osgeo/PH0PR09MB863565E6E2A530B6119CD776CA8D2%40PH0PR09MB8635.namprd09.prod.outlook.com.

[br...@wildsong.biz]

Forever the group GPN (is that the right TLA) formerly known as ORURISA has been holding about $9000 that belongs to you. Leftover from when you hosted FOSS4G. I say forever because I have listened to lengthy discussions about what should happen with that $

Brian (supposed GPN section rep for Columbia-Pacific) Wilson

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pdx-osgeo/CANFXLQvuUNoOFL3GEdA%3DAbaL5MM91aenWteyRuXH%2B%2BaRCeSX1g%40mail.gmail.com.

[Revello, Neil]

I am also in favor of giving $500 - $1000, if it is agreed by the group.

 

Neil Revello, GISP

(503) 928-9424

neil.r...@portlandoregon.gov

 

From: brian via PDX-OSGEO <pdx-...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, May 3, 2025 7:07 PM
To: pdx-...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [pdx-osgis] Future of OSL in Jeopardy | OSU Open Source Lab

 

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