\title{OSGeo in 2008}
%\subtitle{...}
%\author{by Tyler Mitchell}
\maketitle

Welcome to this special edition of the OSGeo Journal.  We use this Annual Report as an opportunity to share some of our inspiring activities and progress during 2008.  A lot happened in 2008 and projects continue to be very busy in this first half of 2009.  This document brings together some of the highlights from software projects, various committees, globally distributed local chapters, sponsors and our annual FOSS4G conference event.

In this issue we have nearly 60 reports from dozens of different authors and communities working in and around OSGeo.  I would like to thank those who were able to contribute an article for this publication.  Your input helps show the diversity of work going on under the OSGeo banner.

Also, we owe a big thank you to the sponsors who help to keep OSGeo operating.  It was an exciting year as we had several new sponsors join in 2008, including Astun Technology,  Borealis, Camptocamp, IGN France, GeoCat and PCI Geomatics.  Additional new sponsors are still needed to maintain our operations - if you are interested, please contact me.

Of course none of this would be possible without the involvement of countless volunteers: project steering committees, directors, developers, educators, local chapters, users, advocates and many more.  This report is a testimony to the fruit of your labour - thank you very much.

Enjoy the articles and best wishes for 2009!

 \hspace*{.2cm}
 
\address{Tyler Mitchell\\
  Executive Director, OSGeo\\
  Williams Lake, Canada \\
  \url{http://osgeo.org}\\
  \email{tmitchell AT osgeo.org}
}

