Green Maps FAQ

What is the goal of GreenMaps?


The original goal of green maps was to make it easy for people to find and connect with their local parties and candidates.  Now it does a lot more.  I think of it as a domain model for the Green Party US, to support multiple different functions.

What is the software stack?

The software is written in Python 3 and Javascript on ZODB.  It is hosted on BastilleBSD on FreeBSD on Vulture.com.  @NotAlexNoyle is keen to take over hosting on Freebsd on Hertner.   That way I can be his back up.   There are two Git repositories.  One for the application, one for the library.  Plus 89 other libraries used.


Who owns the software, domain name, and social media accounts?

Christopher Lozinski owns the copyright and the domain name.   I am happy to give a free license to Green Parties and candidates. 

What is the domain model?
Simple answer.   A hierarchical model.  NationalParty->State Party-.>Local Party -> Candidate.
There is now a whole interface for importing RSS feeds and curating local news.  See https://UncensoredNews.us for an example.

What functionality does it support?
Through the web development
Email notifications
User registrations
Following a candidate
Interface to the GP elections database
Web sites and domain names for candidates.
Videos.
Hierarchical security model.
Tracking changes on any branch.
Packing the database.
Probably a few more.
Generating various reports.
Search

What is the data source?

The data source is manual data entry. There is also an interface to cross check against the GP elections database.  They only list Green Party endorsed candidates.  Green maps lists declared candidates until their local party objects.  That happened once. 


Privacy?
Sign-ins are required to edit content.  Mastodon Oauth works on my other servers, and will soon work here. Parties and candidates need to have public contact information. If we later allow people to add themselves, say with a mastodon account, they can randomise their location with an incorrect address, and give a Mastodon pseudonym for contact info.

Where can I learn more?
https://GreenMaps.US/about

What help do you need?
We need a state liaison for every state.   Connect with your state and local parties, and make sure that the data is up to date.  Reach out to other progressive organizations, add links to their sites, and ask for links in return.  “What goes around comes around.”

Cell Phones. 
There is currently no IoS nor Android app.   There are an increasing number of JSON endpoints, allowing others to create such apps.

Social Media Accounts?

 I think I have access to greenmaps on twitter, and I know I have access @uncensorednew@masodon.social.   I do not know about the state of local party accounts.

Future directions?
There is a short term project plan on the GPUS Discord server, web development channel. Long term this needs to be a federated system.  Every candidate and party runs their own site, controls their own information, and federates with the others, sharing what they choose to share.   I am subject to GDPR.

Can we run it on Docker?
Originally it was on docker.  Both the hosting provider @NotAlexNoyle and I prefer FREEBSD.  Better security.  Easier upgrades.  Much faster development. Docker is for the corporate environment.  Particularly for scaling.  All of the scaling here is done by NGINX.    BastilleBSD

Makes it easy to run lots of Virtual Private Servers.  Just clone production to create a development server.  Just clone a candidate’s server to create one for another candidate.  BastilleBSD evolved out of the needs of a solo developer, Docker evolved out of the needs of a corporate development team.