MFM's dilemmas, futures and possible solutions - threads del

[sharui787]

Someone deleted my thread for unknown reasons. A good one spanned more than 5 pages.
But i can still recall silver asking to close the threads as one of the moderator is clearly losing his cool.
After that it was gone.

i hope the thread can be restored.

TQ

[antyong (retired)]

Threads and posts that are not against forum rules are not supposed to be deleted. I hope all members with moderating and admin powers bear that in mind

sharui787, I am sorry. What is deleted cannot be restored. I hope you don't mind posting your concern again. I am interested to listen to it

[dvpro]

Not to worry, ImanTulen was expecting this to happen and he did a backup of most of the pages in PDF. Although it's not possible to restore the topic (using the PDF), it's good enough for your reference.

[antyong (retired)]

Not to worry, ImanTulen was expecting this to happen and he did a backup of most of the pages in PDF. Although it's not possible to restore the topic (using the PDF), it's good enough for your reference.

Thanks, bro. Please PM the PDF to me.

[sharkteef]

i deleted this topic previously and will still delete this when it gets off topic.
if you really want to discuss about this, dont be a keyboard warrior and attend gathering instead.

and i clearly remembered asking you to contribute and not become a keyboard warrior.

[edchuang (retired)]

The discussion initially talking about protect MFM future by suggesting the MFM map to be released by charging RM20, and some senior mappers explained on MFM clearly stated the map is for free. But after that the posts became out of topic talking about papago. Towards the end the discussion had heated up.

I put in a last post at the end explaining MFM map will always be free and from community to community. After that I locked the topic, then after that there are several times of locking and unlocking for good reasons, at the end Sharkteef deleted the topic.

For me, some of the posts were clearly against the forum rules, that's when I decided to conclude MFM directions in the last post and locked the topic.

Bro antyong, let me know after you reading the pdf, if I did anything wrong, I am prepared.

Regards.

[imantulen]

Woh!!!
Sorry, after that particular nite, I stopped following this thread in question....

(this is the best politically-correct reply that i could muster under these circumstances)

[moeyhc]

I have followed the thread and commended on it too. In my opinion this is the normal course of actions and reactions of a passionate group trying to find a balance between their own opinions. There are no right or wrong in these posts, just personal views that varies in principles...

Just to repeat my call for self restrain when choosing the Language of expression that might cause uneasiness to others.... Relax and Cheers!

[imantulen]

This was the main core argument, maybe we can continue afresh from this point without any untoward digression.......

I personally feel this discussion has merits & be allowed for debate but with substances, please...

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Posted by sharui787
Posted: 21 Mar 2010 16:35

If u are a regular visitor, soon u will realise the great work done by MFM. unfortunately, that is as far as it can get. A good map, without a navi software partner like garmin, igo, papa go etc the Map is totally useless. With the recent events, it is clear with a software partners does not necessary bring the right results. Papa go is a clear case where 1 vendor actually monopoly the map for its papa go software. it applies to other software too.

Others softwares vendors are either not interested or protective of their propriety compiler. We can't blame them, after all, compiler is indeed top secret technology. Worse, they have little to gain in revenue. Maps are a renewal revenue!!. Nice.

There are others like Garmin now are creating new barriers so that free MFM map cannot be generated with more features. They may render the existing compilers useless by changing the structure completely. Once that is done. MFM is back to square one. cool Maps with no users.

With the increase demand and awareness of GPS, other commercial map maker is hot on the trails of updating their maps. rumours has it that TA singapore is busy scouting malaysia with a fleet of mapping SUVs as we speak. Their latest beta version seem to be comparable with MFM if not better, afterall, they have the resources to do it day and night if there is a demand. This will be a direct threat to MFM. ie. MFM map with no software to run on!! Software provider can generate good revenue from maps. MFM can never be a good partner. what about Papa go? it is a partner of convenience. (like cSL and OTK in MCA Then for how long?

Moving forward, the only long term solutions to develop its very own navigation software. Yes, to fast track the development, MFM can raise funds from users or its member and tap into the power of open source, it can be done.

MFM can review its model and may be charging a small fees like RM20.00 per copy downloaded etc. or free, whatever.

With this new model: MFM control its own destiny and its future can be guaranteed.

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Reply by: Sharkteef

moving this topic to a place where everyone can see this.

I've met with the people from Navteq b4. last year and i've seen their maps. Scouting around with 5 vehicles covering 2 nations isnt enough. This community has around 10000 vehicles moving around daily and its still not enough. A nice ratio of 5 : 10000 and u tell me Navteq is keeping up or surpassing MFM ? bear in mind, MFM has different people from different industries which also includes sales and transportation.

MFM will never review its model to head towards profit generation. Capitalization will only work for the greed and feeble. Companies and corporations need to make profit. Navteq is just a fine example. They are a corporation and they need to make money. MFM isnt a corporation, its a society project. MFM does NOT need to make money.

MFM has no intentions of competing with map solution corporations. MFM is made purely for the society for many reasons.

Nobody wants to pay USD 150 for a map of malaysia/singapore that does not suffice. I will gladly pay USD 150 for any map that is complete. That will route me to where i need to go and where i want to go. But there isnt.

When i had a table discussion with the people at Navteq, i managed to scroll on to their latest map to find that my house, which has been around for more than 7 years now, is still a blank spot. Does this mean that i will need to drive to the nearest available road so i can start navigation ? That is pure crap for buying a RM 1000 device + USD 150 map.

Why would i pay and continue paying for something that does not work for me ? I have found my solution. To join MFM and to contribute so that i can be routed when i exit the doors of my house.

MFM currently has no plans on its own navigational device nor its own navigational software. As a society project, MFM will not venture into capitalism. MFM has a lot of credibility to uphold, alot of responsibility.

As long as data is received for free, they will be made into maps that are distributed free. Period.

MFM has been around for 2 years i think. everyone here has updated their navigational units at least twice. in cost that should weigh around USD 300. so good to say, everyone has saved their USD 300.

If you can save yourself even a single cent from this, you've already earned. So good to say, everyone has benefited from this ......at no cost. whether it be mappers or moderators or contributors, we've all saved our money from buying maps that dont work too well.

So how is it that MFM is losing ?

Everyone here is just a volunteer. The hard work of each volunteer might be worth 1 million US dollars to us but it wont be worth a single cent to people who dont even know MFM exists. When corporations view us as a threat, it just goes to show MFM is ..... GENG ! Shutting us down will mean that we are a huge threat and we as part of MFM will just have to feel proud and parade ourselves even more.

I can assure you one thing, community projects, dont die. Illegal torrenting does not die. Free stuffs just dont die.

There have been some discussion on this way back, and verdict is, there will still be more discussions on this among the mappers. When things get narrowed down, it'll be made known to the public whether for action or opinion.

and i didnt miss any trees or forest. its just a plain fact, u give for free, we got spare time, we make for free, distribute out for free. Really no losses were made. No one forced anything on anyone.

I do know some map making corporations view us as a threat, but i also do know they cant do nuts for the meantime. If they shut MFM down within the next 1 year which isnt enough time for any of them to buck up, they are gonna be in such deep shit to know that their clients are receiving 10000 complain letters every week because of the shoddy insufficient job they do. Those 10000 complain letters will come from unsatisfied users and give a guess what is gonna happen to these corporations who make maps ? Come under fire is for sure, their clients would most likely run to another map making corporation, pay em and make sure they don't do a shoddy job.

Still in the end a win for us ! we may finally pay a price for something that works although free would be better lol.

-shark
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[antyong (retired)]

Please let me reply to various members' opinion before we continue

I will lock this topic temporary. Will reply by tonight. Thanks for your patience.