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OpenBenches – A map of memorial benches

openbenches.org

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Re: OpenBenches – A map of memorial benches

#21

Post by Rygian »

NoboruWataya wrote: post #5
unnervingduck wrote: post #3

On their about page: >OpenStreetMap has a list of (nearly) every bench in the world – but they don’t record whether there is an inscription on it. Weird since OpenStreetMap does have an inscription=* key, which could be combined with the historic=memorial and memorial=bench tags. So what the site does could very well be achieved with OpenStreetMap alone.

I understood that to mean not that OSM can't record that information, just that it doesn't - I assume people tend not to include that level of detail when contributing to OSM. So the benefit of this site is that it focuses contributor's attention on the inscription and prompts them to include it. It's a cool idea - I wonder if they feed the data back up to OSM. If not they (or someone) presumably could easily enough.…

A general tendence in OSM is that things that "aren't mapped" will end up being mapped. For example, natural=tree was originally intended for notable trees only, but if you look at the map today you'll see each individual tree mapped on parks, boulevards, picnic sites, regardless of its notability.

So in OSM, it's not that it can't record, or that it doesn't record. It's always that not many mappers haven't yet focused on the topic.

Re: OpenBenches – A map of memorial benches

#22

Post by flipbrad »

edent wrote: post #9

Lovely to see our work on HN. We are looking for supporters to keep us going. You can donate with GitHub sponsors, OpenCollective, or by buying a T-shirt https://openbenches.org/support Of course, the best way to help is to submit a photo :-)

On a scale of 1-10, how silly do you think it is that sites like your will likely have to comply with the 270+ page Online Safety Bill if you get a "significant number" of UK users?

https://wikimedia.org.uk/2023/06/online-safety-bill-open-let...

https://wikimedia.org.uk/2023/06/frequently-asked-questions/

Re: OpenBenches – A map of memorial benches

#23

Post by intrasight »

globular-toast wrote: post #4
unnervingduck wrote: post #3

On their about page: >OpenStreetMap has a list of (nearly) every bench in the world – but they don’t record whether there is an inscription on it. Weird since OpenStreetMap does have an inscription=* key, which could be combined with the historic=memorial and memorial=bench tags. So what the site does could very well be achieved with OpenStreetMap alone.

I've personally added inscriptions to the Map because I noticed other people had. I assumed, therefore, the data was coming from OSM. Then I noticed they have pictures of the benches too.

There are lots of memorial benches around where I am. After reading your comment, I decided to go look at an example photo. Randomly zoomed in to Seville, Spain and click on one.

https://openbenches.org/bench/4860

Wow - what a bench! Not at all what I was expecting. Then I went to Rome, Italy and the reverse happened. Just a normal bench.

https://openbenches.org/bench/11382

https://openbenches.org/bench/11382

Re: OpenBenches – A map of memorial benches

#26

Post by dairylee »

vidarh wrote: post #6

My favourite one is already on there: https://openbenches.org/bench/5849 "Nina Theresa Jenkinson 4th of May 1959 - 5th May 2017 She took pleasure in annoying the fisherman by feeding the ducks" (it's by a private fishing lake within a public park; I don't know if she just liked feeding the ducks (but she could've done that many other places nearby) or if it was a passive aggressive demonstration against catch and rel…

My favourite is on there also:

https://openbenches.org/bench/198

"In memory of jam sandwiches with all my love"

Re: OpenBenches – A map of memorial benches

#28

Post by twic »

intrasight wrote: post #23
globular-toast wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've personally added inscriptions to the Map because I noticed other people had. I assumed, therefore, the data was coming from OSM. Then I noticed they have pictures of the benches too.

There are lots of memorial benches around where I am. After reading your comment, I decided to go look at an example photo. Randomly zoomed in to Seville, Spain and click on one. https://openbenches.org/bench/4860 Wow - what a bench! Not at all what I was expecting. Then I went to Rome, Italy and the reverse happened. Just a normal bench. https://openbenches.org/bench/11382 https://openbenches.org/bench/11382

That is the gardens of the Alcazar, a very impressive royal palace. Well worth a visit if you're in town.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/phil_masters/5169339660

https://packmeto.com/alcazar-seville/

Re: OpenBenches – A map of memorial benches

#29

Post by edent »

twic wrote: post #27

I was going to tease you by suggesting adding the memorial plaques on Swanage Pier, of which there are thousands, but i see someone has in fact already added the benches!

There have been some very long days trekking through promenades, botanic gardens, and graveyards.

Rewarding though. And we even have a leaderboard as an incentive.

Re: OpenBenches – A map of memorial benches

#30

Post by Ajedi32 »

globular-toast wrote: post #4
unnervingduck wrote: post #3

On their about page: >OpenStreetMap has a list of (nearly) every bench in the world – but they don’t record whether there is an inscription on it. Weird since OpenStreetMap does have an inscription=* key, which could be combined with the historic=memorial and memorial=bench tags. So what the site does could very well be achieved with OpenStreetMap alone.

I've personally added inscriptions to the Map because I noticed other people had. I assumed, therefore, the data was coming from OSM. Then I noticed they have pictures of the benches too.

You can link to images in OSM too[1], but you need to find a place to actually host the files. So far the best option seems to be to upload the images to the Wikimedia commons and then link from OSM using the wikimedia_commons tag[2], though the UX of that is pretty awkward.

[1]: https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Key:image

[2]: https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Key:wikimedia_commons

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