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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?

#71

Post by brewrwe »

propogandist wrote: post #64
criley2 wrote: post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Google makes it trivial to download maps for offline use, I have multiple states downloaded in Maps. Google Maps experience with offline downloaded maps is 100% quality and absolutely not "sub-par" or "frustrating".

by trivial, you mean logged into a google account where all 'offline' activity is synced and mapped to your account once connectivity is restored. I also find it hard to believe that Google maps offline can't give voice navigation (reverts to beeps) and that requires constant data connectivity... the app is constantly phoning home too.

Google Maps is pretty bad without fast, reliable data, I remember trying it on Sprint, no joy unless I could pull at least a megabit a second.

Re: Why Use OpenStreetMap Instead of Google Maps?

#72

Post by ronnier »

bepotts wrote: post #48

I like that the arguments for OpenStreetMap were more about the advantages over Google Maps, instead of "because Google is a 'bad' company" like so many Google debates delve into. I love using Google Maps for my applications, but I'll definitely look into OpenStreetMaps now.

Reviewing the difference, OSM actually puts the street name where I can find it. The first thing I want with maps are street names and for whatever reasons, google maps makes that very difficult in some cases.

Re: Why Use OpenStreetMap Instead of Google Maps?

#73

Post by avip »

criley2 wrote: post #57
wtallis wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Are gaps in cell coverage really that obscure a use case? Sure, if you're only using the maps to route you around traffic jams in your home town, offline maps aren't going to offer you any benefit. But I think most users also want their maps to continue to be reliable when heading out of town on a road trip. Google has improved the behavior of their maps app when data connectivity is interrupted, but it's still a sub…

Google makes it trivial to download maps for offline use, I have multiple states downloaded in Maps. Google Maps experience with offline downloaded maps is 100% quality and absolutely not "sub-par" or "frustrating".

Unless the place you need is "unavailable for download".

Re: Why Use OpenStreetMap Instead of Google Maps?

#75

Post by lucb1e »

pbhjpbhj wrote: post #35
timthorn wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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

I don't really understand the approach to names which takes them and translates them: Pen-Y-Bont and Bridge-end are translations, but the name is one or the other. Transliteration seems fine to me, Caerdydd Cardiff, but we shouldn't say it's "name" in English is Diffcastle (or perhaps Taffcastle if you take an etymological approach). /rant

I simply wouldn't be able to remember or refer to Russia if it was always called Русский, but I do agree that we shouldn't translate as much as we do. Be it names in translated books, cities, countries, software... For example, the number of translations for a small city in Belgium called Liège/Lüttich/Luik is just confusing, and it's not even a popular tourist destination (everyone drives through it on their way south, but nobody goes there because it looks very ugly when you only drive through it on the highway).

Re: Why Use OpenStreetMap Instead of Google Maps?

#76

Post by marcosdumay »

dev_dull wrote: post #27
1996 wrote: post #13

And if you can't use OSM, try Here maps. They are easy to download for offline use. Following the suggestion of friends, I have repurposed an old phone as a "travel phone" with maps of the whole world (or at least the parts I can download!) Not perfect, but when I catch a plane, I don't have to worry about local networks. Fun story: recently in Europe, Google Maps stuttered. Now and then, there was a networking issue…

Your anecdote falls into the trap I see often when comparing OSS software vs proprietary. You’ve found a obscure, uncommon use case where OSM works better. However, the opposite needs to be true for adoption. OSM needs to work better for 80% of the use cases, not the other 20.

Working without a network is niche now?

Anywhere you go far from a city will lack a network.

Re: Why Use OpenStreetMap Instead of Google Maps?

#77

Post by albertgoeswoof »

hellojason wrote: post #74

what if they decide to draw the border between countries wherever they want This seems a bit tin foil hat to me. Has Google been caught doing something like this before with malicious intent?

It’s not about malicious intent on Google’s part- the borders between countries are literally the most contentious lines ever drawn, people die every single day over them. Google shouldn’t be an authority on border disputes in any capacity.

Re: Why Use OpenStreetMap Instead of Google Maps?

#78

Post by utopcell »

Not sure how the article makes the mental leap from "google is limiting free usage to a few thousand views per day" for a system that costs a lot to operate, to "google may hide stuff or change country borders at will". If that's the main argument for switching to openstreetmaps, it's not very compelling.

Re: Why Use OpenStreetMap Instead of Google Maps?

#80

Post by marcosdumay »

criley2 wrote: post #57
wtallis wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Are gaps in cell coverage really that obscure a use case? Sure, if you're only using the maps to route you around traffic jams in your home town, offline maps aren't going to offer you any benefit. But I think most users also want their maps to continue to be reliable when heading out of town on a road trip. Google has improved the behavior of their maps app when data connectivity is interrupted, but it's still a sub…

Google makes it trivial to download maps for offline use, I have multiple states downloaded in Maps. Google Maps experience with offline downloaded maps is 100% quality and absolutely not "sub-par" or "frustrating".

It may be trivial, but I have actually never found a way to mark them and assure myself the download was complete and the maps are available before a trip.
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