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Why Use OpenStreetMap Instead of Google Maps?

openstreetmap.org

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Re: Why Use OpenStreetMap Instead of Google Maps?

#3
post #2

While I love OSM for the data and the free approach, one thing which annoys me with OSM is that their main map doesn’t support hdpi (retina) displays. That makes the map look ugly on iPad and MacBooks at least, I suspect on much more recent devices.

There's tentative discussions underway about providing a vector-based rendering on osm.org to augment the current raster styles, which of course would be resolution-independent.

Re: Why Use OpenStreetMap Instead of Google Maps?

#5
post #4

What I would love to see in OpenStreetMaps are translated or transcripted place names. And since place names are extremely political, this should also be mentioned that a place has several names in different languages and cultures.

Here's exactly that in action:

- https://openmaptiles.org/languages/native/#0.88/0/0

- https://blog.wikimedia.org/2018/06/28/interactive-maps-now-i...

Re: Why Use OpenStreetMap Instead of Google Maps?

#6
post #4

What I would love to see in OpenStreetMaps are translated or transcripted place names. And since place names are extremely political, this should also be mentioned that a place has several names in different languages and cultures.

That exists. This blog post explains how to add Welsh names: http://cardiff.theodi.org/2018/02/23/mapio-eich-milltir-sgwa...

Re: Why Use OpenStreetMap Instead of Google Maps?

#8
Open Street Maps is great as a data source, but the front end client apps for using it are somewhat lacking. On my iPhone, I use Maps.me when I travel to Cuba and Google Maps almost everywhere else. If I was building an app, I'd definitely use OSM and probably Mapbox.

Re: Why Use OpenStreetMap Instead of Google Maps?

#9

I always wondered who actually pays for the bills in OSM? Who pays all the servers, all the traffic, etc...?

The Openstreetmap Foundation[1]. They publish financial info too [2].

1. https://wiki.osmfoundation.org/wiki/Main_Page

2. https://wiki.osmfoundation.org/wiki/Finances

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