FOSS4G 2008 Announcements

NB: This page used to hold the Calls for papers and workshops. These are now at FOSS4G2008 Call for papers and FOSS4G2008 Call for workshops

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CFP reminder and workshop update (Posted 2008/05/09)
Subject: FOSS4G 2008 CFP reminder and workshop news

Free and Open Source Geospatial 2008, Cape Town, South Africa. September 29 - Oct 3 2008. incorporating GISSA 2008.

Reminder: The paper / presentation submission deadline is this coming Monday 12 May. Go to http://www.foss4g2008.org and click on 'Call for Papers'.

Early-bird registration closes on 15th June, so register soon!

FOSS4G is renowned for its hands-on workshops and labs. 2008 is no exception. The Workshop/labs track has been going well in terms of submissions. We have (as of 9th May 2008) 26 interesting and relevant submissions to choose from, ranging across a wide spectrum of GIS topics. Desktop GIS (with spatial analysis and geovisualization to the fore) is a common theme and there is a strong representation from the broad Internet GIS field (web map servers, rich internet applications/web clients, OGC web services). Themes also making an appearance are geoportals, metadata, spatial ETL and the use of spatial databases. There is also some focus on programming/scripting. The emphasis is heavily on showing what is possible with FOSS4G through practical "how-to's", getting software/services up and running quickly and trying them out. Many of the workshops emphasise the excellent Java-based tools and frameworks.

90 minute Labs are included in the core conference package. Register for the full 5 day package and get to attend up to three 4 hour workshops free!

Submit your abstract soon. Come and have a bash in Cape Town.

Gavin Fleming FOSS4G 2008 Conference Chair www.foss4g2008.org

PS: Please distribute this notice widely, blog about FOSS4G 2008, add a banner to your website.

FOSS4G2008 Call for Workshops and Labs - Deadline 30 April 2008''' (Posted 2008/04/23)
Subject: FOSS4G2008 Call for Workshops and Labs - Deadline 30 April 2008

The deadline for submission of workshop proposals for the FOSS4G2008 (Free and Open Source Software for Geospatial) conference is a week away! If you are considering submitting a workshop/lab proposal, for the 2008 conference, which is being held September 29 - October 3 in Cape Town, South Africa, then please make your submission before or on 30 April 2008.

All workshop/lab submissions are welcome and no restrictions are placed on topics for workshops, but we expect interest to be high for workshops on:

Practical Introduction to ________________ Interoperability Exposure to a Software Stack Fitting FOSS4G into the enterprise Using FOSS4G to solve __________________ In addition, FOSS4G plays strongly in emerging spaces, so Workshops/Labs with NeoGeography-like themes, or on new directions, will be welcome and are likely to be fresh topics for many attendees.

Workshops and Labs are hands-on events, with participants seated in front of computers and able to follow along with the instructor, working directly with the software and applications under discussion. There will be two computer labs with close to 50 computers each, with two people per computer. So your audience will be close to 100. Depending on your input we are still flexible about operating systems and other choices, so whatever your idea, submit a proposal.

For further details about the workshop/lab submission process please visit the Call for Papers page on our website to receive instructions for submitting a Workshops/Lab proposal: http://conference.osgeo.org/index.php/foss4g/2008/shedConf/cfp

The deadline for Workshop/Lab proposals submission is 30 April, 2008. You will hear whether your proposal has been accepted by 16 May, after which you will be required to register for the conference to confirm your attendance, as well as subscribe to the conference workshops mailing list (http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/conference-workshops), which will be the forum for discussing your Workshop/Lab development, progress, and logistics with the Workshop Committee, members of the OSGeo community, and fellow Instructors.

SUMMARY OF ALL IMPORTANT DATES FOR FOSS4G2008:

30 April 2008: Deadline for submission of proposals for workshops and labs 16 May 2008: Notification of acceptance of workshop/lab proposal

12 May 2008: Deadline for submission of abstracts 17 June 2008: Notification of acceptance of abstracts 18 August 2008: Deadline for submission of presentation / papers for the proceedings 1 September 2008:Deadline for submission of posters

Sponsors & Exhibitors: registration now open

Important dates for registrations: Early bird registrations: closes June 15, 2008 Online registration: closes September 15 2008 Late registration opens September 16 - September 29 2008 On-site registration opens September 29 2008

Conference Dates September 29 - October 3 2008

FOSS4G 2008 Registration and Calls for Papers and Workshops (Posted 2008/04/04)
Subject: FOSS4G 2008 Registration and Calls for Papers and Workshops

If you attend just one GIS conference in 2008, make it FOSS4G 2008! It promises to be the highlight of your year.

The 2008 Free and Open Source Software for Geospatial (FOSS4G) conference, incorporating GISSA 2008, is on the horizon.

WHERE: Cape Town, South Africa, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. Cape Town is one of the Top 5 worldwide tourist and conference destinations. WHEN: Monday 29 September to Friday 3 October. Extend your stay with a holiday in beautiful South Africa and make the trip even more worthwhile.

Theme: "Open Source Geospatial: An Option for Developing Nations"

FOSS4G is presented annually by the Open Source Geospatial Foundation (OSGeo) and in 2007 gathered 700 developers and users of open source geospatial software as well as managers and decision makers from around the world to discuss new directions, exciting implementations, and growing business opportunities in the field of open source geospatial software.

Incorporation of GISSA 2008 this year opens FOSS4G to a wider field of GIS practitioners and decision makers. GISSA is the GeoInformation Society of South Africa and we want all players from South Africa to join their peers from around the world at this international event. Come and present your work, learn about Open Source GIS and participate in the FOSS-Proprietary debate.

South Africa's recent adoption of a National Open Source Policy in Government and the introduction of GIS into our school syllabus this year make FOSS4G an especially important conference for South Africa and other countries in a similar position.

Major features include Hands-on Workshops and Labs, Presentations and Academic Papers, a live Demo Theatre, large exhibition hall, Outreach activities, Technical visits and a great social programme including a gala dinner at Moyo in Stellenbosch.

Visit the website http://www.foss4g2008.org to find out more. Register or submit an Abstract or Workshop Proposal. This year there will be an Academic Track in addition to non-peer-reviewed presentations, catering for a wide range of topics.

Autodesk and Google have already come on board as sponsors. If your organisation is interested in supporting the conference or exhibiting, please download the Prospectus from the website.

I'm looking forward to seeing you in Cape Town!

Gavin Fleming FOSS4G 2008 Conference Chair www.foss4g2008.org

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