Wayland, MA, USA, May 9, 2003 – The Open GIS Consortium (OGC) announces OGC User Magazine, a free quarterly e-mail publication that highlights the use of OpenGIS® Specifications in building world class, interoperable solutions for spatial and related technologies. The first issue is currently online at http://www.opengeospatial.org/pressrm/ogcuser/20030430ogc_user.htm .OGC User will provide detailed studies of how and why organizations are choosing to build their small to enterprise solutions around these specifications and the benefits and challenges they see. Adena Schutzberg, a 12-year veteran of the industry, will edit the publication.In the first issue, Mark Reichardt, OGC's Executive Director, Outreach and Community Adoption, explained the reasoning behind the publication: “OGC has reached a point of critical mass where the work of our members is achieving broad application in the user community. User organizations are extending their existing systems via OpenGIS specifications, and are embracing products in the marketplace that implement our specifications. It's time to share these stories so that others can explore the benefits and possibilities that come with interoperability.”Reichardt continues, “There are still many questions about how OpenGIS specifications work, what products implement them and exactly what problems they solve. Those are exactly the types of questions OGC User will address by telling the stories of organizations that have chosen and implemented OpenGIS-based solutions.”Subscription information are available at http://www.opengeospatial.org/ogcSubscribe.php . If you have a story suggestion for a future issue, please contact the editor at adena@opengeospatial.org .OGC is an international industry consortium of more than 250 companies, government agencies and universities participating in a consensus process to develop publicly available interface specifications. OpenGIS Specifications support interoperable solutions that “geo-enable” the Web, wireless and location-based services, and mainstream IT. The specifications empower technology developers to make complex spatial information and services accessible and useful with all kinds of applications. Visit the OGC website at www.opengeospatial.org .– end –“