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| GeoCommunity Mailing List |
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| Mailing List Archives |
| Subject: | Re: [gislist] GIS software/hardware donations for 3rd World |
| Date: |
01/28/2005 03:50:01 PM |
| From: |
Barbara Seekins |
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Must say I have mixed feelings about all this. While the altruism to causes such
as conservation, fighting poverty, etc. is admirable, those organizations
paying full fees for software and maintenance (state and federal gov agencies)
are
doing so with US taxpayers money that is supposed to be going towards serving
our communities and national needs. These needs also include conservation,
planning, supporting our infrastructure, maintaining water & air quality, and
on and on.
Barb Seekins
Anthony Quartararo wrote:
> Analisa,
>
> You very correct, and further make Pat Waggaman's case. ESRI has a policy
> of supporting a global conservation effort its resources, and long-ago
> recognized that in order to do so, sooner rather than later, it must "give"
> the software and related training & support to just about anyone willing
> enough to undertake the difficult task of Conservation. That being said,
> and however honorable that may be, ESRI must get revenues from somewhere to
> meet its internal financial goals AND still have sufficient surplus (as a
> strategic decision) to "support" that global conservation effort at a "near
> free" discount. If it were a political policy, dare I suggest what that
> sounds like ? Another strategic approach could be, lowering the price for
> all products so that the cost of a license is based on a truly global market
> [ie. ALL potential and current users of GIS technology software], and then
> offer no significant discount. In this scenario, coupled with ESRIs
> significant brand strength and existing global network of people/partners,
> everyone would benefit more completely. The uptake of the technology would
> be, shall I say, "energetic" for the foreseeable future. Not to mention a
> more level and globalized competitive playing field, and it would force ESRI
> to cherish and attend to each and every licensee. This unfortunately is not
> likely to happen in our professional careers, then again, truth is stranger
> than fiction. Cheers.
>
> Anthony
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: gislist-bounces@lists.geocomm.com
> [mailto:gislist-bounces@lists.geocomm.com] On Behalf Of Analisa Gunnell
> Sent: Friday, January 28, 2005 12:46 PM
> To: gislist-bounces@lists.geocomm.com
> Cc: gislist@lists.geocomm.com
> Subject: FW: [gislist] GIS software/hardware donations for 3rd World
>
> Hello GIS community,
>
> I find this topic to be fascinating. As a US ESRI user that works for
> a non-profit focused on conservation issues and meeting the triple E bottom
> line, we would not be able to do all the GIS work that we do without
> products that were given to us by ESRI. This was done because of our status
> as a non-profit and our focus on conservation efforts. It was my
> understanding that this held true for international organizations with
> similar goals. It is important to understand that while ESRI obviously has
> a serious hold on the GIS market, at the very least they are conscientious
> enough to allow organizations that could not otherwise afford their software
> opportunities to use it. While I have my complaints (as do we all) I
> respect this in the organization. How many corporate entities can say the
> same?
>
> Anyway, that's my 2 cents before my morning coffee.
>
> Hope all are well!
>
> Analisa Noel Gunnell
> Chief Cartographer/GIS Analyst
> Ecotrust
> 721 NW Ninth Avenue, Suite 200
> Portland, Oregon 97209
> 503.467.0750
> analisa@ecotrust.org
>
> SALMON NATION
> CONSERVATION ECONOMY
> ECOLOGY-ECONOMY-EQUITY
> www.ecotrust.org
> www.salmonnation.org
> www.vividpicture.net
> www.inforain.org
> www.tidepool.org
>
> "Every Animal Knows More than You Do."
> Nez Perce Tribe
> ><((('> ><((('> ><((('>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: gislist-bounces@lists.geocomm.com
> [mailto:gislist-bounces@lists.geocomm.com] On Behalf Of Gregory Yetman
> Sent: Friday, January 28, 2005 7:08 AM
> To: gislist@lists.thinkburst.com
> Subject: Re: [gislist] GIS software/hardware donations for 3rd World
>
> Hi,
>
> ESRI heavily discounts educational sales in the US as well (I'm not sure of
> the precise percentage). Besides, I think that ESRI sales outside of the US
> are by licensed resellers rather than from Redlands, so I don't know how
> much control ESRI US has over prices in other countries. The complaints that
> I've heard of talking to people have been that the ESRI software is much
> more expensive outside of the US.
>
> Greg
>
> Note: this is my opinion, not that of my employer.
>
> -------------
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