Top Ten of 2005 - Editorials: "Each year for the last five I've put together the top ten 'things' of the past year. Some are events, some are non-events, some are products, some are people. It's my opportunity to look back and highlight some topics worthy of attention as we head into the New Year. These are in no particular order.

Event with the most potential impact on our industry: The creation of the MapServer Foundation.
While there was some valid consternation regarding the process by which it was formed, most members of the MapServer community are cautiously welcoming Autodesk as a member, and finding their roles in the organization. I was criticized for suggesting that 'this pairing [Autodesk and the MapServer community] and the formation of the Foundation are perhaps the most important events in the geospatial arena in 20 years.' I stand by that statement. The Foundation has the potential to change GIS forever. Note that I said GIS, not consumer mapping or search engines, etc. but the technology we know as GIS.

Natural disasters where our technology and people shone: South East Asia Tsunami and Katrina
The geospatial community deserves quite a lot of credit for its work on site and at home in support of rescue, relief and recovery efforts. GIS Corps, Mercy Corps and the Katrina Imagery Server team epitomize what's possible. Newspapers are still recounting tales of the value of maps in these efforts. It's also worth noting how 'mashups' of technology from Google and other online services, produced not by us geospatial people, but concerned programmers, popped up to track those missing and to help find housing for those who were displaced. I'm hopeful, though not confident, that we've learned something from these efforts regarding preparation of data, processes, services, interoperability and sta"