[Osmf-talk] false Microsoft "big dollars" rumour

[Steve Coast]

On Apr 9, 2012, at 4:02 PM, Frederik Ramm wrote:
> Dear OSMF board (Cc'ed to osmf-talk and CWG),
> 
>  may I suggest that board/CWG issue a statement saying that
> 
> "OSMF has not received any donations or support, monetary or otherwise, from Microsoft" (adorned with language that says of course the community is thankful for their imagery and that of course were they offer money we'd gladly take it etc etc)

That's not the case. Microsoft sponsored SOTM 2011. Microsoft also hosted the OSMF in-person board meeting in, I think, November?

> As you probably have noticed, the issue is slowly getting out of hand in the press,

Responding to every press article is sub-optimal. I think you can find an equal amount of speculation around any of the help that MQ, Google or anyone else has given to OSM.

> Board member Richard Fairhurst has already said on the talk list that "I'm not aware of any announcement being made or (say) any formal contact this year between Microsoft and OSMF.", but I think more is required.

Perhaps that's because board member Richard didn't attend SOTM 2011 or the in-person board meeting and was therefore unaware of the support?

Steve

stevecoast.com