MapBrief™

There comes a time around late morning of the second day of a vendor conference where it dawns on one that particular terminology, certain phrasings, are echoing from the keynote stage to the demonstration kiosks. The presumption of authentic communication misplaced, one despairs not of Orwellian doublespeak (let’s not flatter these people), but of the sales pitch masquerading as naturally volunteered information. Sometime in the run-up to the show, the in-house indoctrination orientation slide deck became mandatory reading, lovingly crafted by someone with an MBA, probably in Marketing and Communications.

 
At FOSS4G next month in Denver, one needn’t fear the company line–there won’t be one. Instead we’ll have a republic of voices: deeply knowledgeable voices that belong to real people not regurgitating pre-approved mantras. I’m looking forward to talking in person to so many folks whose stuff I’ve read and learned from online. Not only the bigwigs of geospatial blogging, but also more niche voices with a knack for passing on well-timed nuggets of specialized know-how.

Glancing over the RSVP list, here are a few of those voices who will be in Denver: