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OpenStreetMap Is Turning 20

stevecoast.substack.com

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Re: OpenStreetMap Is Turning 20

#21

Post by pastage »

moffkalast wrote: post #16

All hail OSM, the only online mapping service that actually lets you access the raw tile server for completely free without any login or tokens or anything, making it the absolute ideal for app integration. May it stay funded forever and maybe get some satelite data one day. Completely unironically. Honestly it is a bit surprising that there hasn't been like a government programme or a crazy billionaire wanting to im…

There are lots of government programs doing that, lots of companies trying to compete with Google has invested in OSM. The success really is that it has all gone into OpenStreetmap.

OSM could do a better job acknowledging these partners, but honestly Steve Coast is right it is the people of OSM that matters. The companies and government are only a very small part of OSM.

Re: OpenStreetMap Is Turning 20

#22

Post by deng »

pietervdvn wrote: post #20
deng wrote: post #17

The amount of data OSM has nowadays is a treasure. It's just a shame that there's no well done generic web frontend that would make all this data accessible in a way that could rival Google Maps. The official openstreetmap.org web site just provides bare functionality with an almost unusable search, and otherwise focuses on editing OSM data. Probably the best generic "frontend" for OSM is Organic Maps, which however…

It depends on what exactly you want. Google Maps does more then just being a map, such as navigation, streetview, reviews,... In either case, I've heard quite some people being in love with Qwant Maps. And I try to get to build specialized maps with https://mapcomplete.org

Qwant Maps is discontinued, sadly.

Features I would want most from a web frontend for OSM:

* Smarter search in the local area that is currently focused, with possibility to search for generic terms like "atm", "bus stop", "bakery", etc.

* Display of shops/restaurants/markets/etc with additional information like opening hours (which are available in OSM, I've added a ton of it through StreetComplete and often wondered why I even bother as no one will ever see them). I can easily live without reviews, they are easily gamed and would need a ton of moderation.

* Public transport information. There's currently work ongoing in Organic Maps to support this.

* Navigation, yes, to some degree. I think this area is actually already quite well covered through services like Komoot, for instance. For car navigation, you probably will never beat Google Maps because of the available current traffic information there.

Re: OpenStreetMap Is Turning 20

#23

Post by deng »

Ruthalas wrote: post #10

If you appreciate OSM, consider installing the StreetComplete mobile app[0]! It lets you contribute to OSM in a very simple manner, via simple questions like, "Is there a marked crosswalk here?" I'm not affiliated, I just think it's cool. It's very satisfying to complete quests in your local area. [0] https://streetcomplete.app/

Yes, I can also confirm that it's a great way to lose weight, as it gives long walks a sense of purpose. ;-)

Re: OpenStreetMap Is Turning 20

#24

Post by nurgasemetey »

Ruthalas wrote: post #10

If you appreciate OSM, consider installing the StreetComplete mobile app[0]! It lets you contribute to OSM in a very simple manner, via simple questions like, "Is there a marked crosswalk here?" I'm not affiliated, I just think it's cool. It's very satisfying to complete quests in your local area. [0] https://streetcomplete.app/

Is it normal that website gives 403 Forbidden?

Re: OpenStreetMap Is Turning 20

#25

Post by Freak_NL »

Ruthalas wrote: post #10

If you appreciate OSM, consider installing the StreetComplete mobile app[0]! It lets you contribute to OSM in a very simple manner, via simple questions like, "Is there a marked crosswalk here?" I'm not affiliated, I just think it's cool. It's very satisfying to complete quests in your local area. [0] https://streetcomplete.app/

StreetComplete is fun for casual contributions, but what OSM really needs is good local mappers. You can tell when a place has local mappers updating and monitoring changes in the real world. Even just taking care of the coming and going of shops is really useful. People who visit your area using apps like OsmAnd and OrganicMaps use that data!

Re: OpenStreetMap Is Turning 20

#26

Post by Freak_NL »

deng wrote: post #17

The amount of data OSM has nowadays is a treasure. It's just a shame that there's no well done generic web frontend that would make all this data accessible in a way that could rival Google Maps. The official openstreetmap.org web site just provides bare functionality with an almost unusable search, and otherwise focuses on editing OSM data. Probably the best generic "frontend" for OSM is Organic Maps, which however…

Yeah, openstreetmap.org is a bit of an embarrassment for the community in its current state, although the search isn't too bad.

OsmAnd and OrganicMaps are fortunately quite powerful and full-featured.

Re: OpenStreetMap Is Turning 20

#27

Post by xethos »

Freak_NL wrote: post #25
Ruthalas wrote: post #10

If you appreciate OSM, consider installing the StreetComplete mobile app[0]! It lets you contribute to OSM in a very simple manner, via simple questions like, "Is there a marked crosswalk here?" I'm not affiliated, I just think it's cool. It's very satisfying to complete quests in your local area. [0] https://streetcomplete.app/

StreetComplete is fun for casual contributions, but what OSM really needs is good local mappers. You can tell when a place has local mappers updating and monitoring changes in the real world. Even just taking care of the coming and going of shops is really useful. People who visit your area using apps like OsmAnd and OrganicMaps use that data!

I cannot describe [0] my pleasure and satisfaction when, visiting Germany, we found an icecream shop closed. We'd stopped by with the assumption Google Maps would have the correct hours; they did not, and we carried on without icecream. OSM, on the other hand, correctly showed the shop as closed for the day.

[0] I can't, but my fiancee used the words "impossibly smug"

Re: OpenStreetMap Is Turning 20

#28

Post by SideburnsOfDoom »

Freak_NL wrote: post #25
Ruthalas wrote: post #10

If you appreciate OSM, consider installing the StreetComplete mobile app[0]! It lets you contribute to OSM in a very simple manner, via simple questions like, "Is there a marked crosswalk here?" I'm not affiliated, I just think it's cool. It's very satisfying to complete quests in your local area. [0] https://streetcomplete.app/

StreetComplete is fun for casual contributions, but what OSM really needs is good local mappers. You can tell when a place has local mappers updating and monitoring changes in the real world. Even just taking care of the coming and going of shops is really useful. People who visit your area using apps like OsmAnd and OrganicMaps use that data!

I do this local mapping, and I also use StreetComplete.

I find it's not one of the other, it's "Why not both?"

e.g. new coffee shop opened down the road? I'll take a picture of it on my phone, go home and open https://www.openstreetmap.org/, click "edit" and add it, along with info from the phone photo (Shop name, Address, phone number, and a website if I can find one).

The next time I'm nearby, StreetComplete will prompt me for other key info such as opening hours.

They compliment each other.

On the one hand, the full OSM experience is much richer than StreetComplete.

On the other hand, StreetComplete is a gateway drug to it, and also a useful accessory to it.

Re: OpenStreetMap Is Turning 20

#29

Post by zikduruqe »

politelemon wrote: post #5

OSM is the only implementation of maps that has been done with privacy in mind. It's a real shame that DDG chose to drop it for a much worse alternative. OSM has been an absolute necessity when out hiking in the sticks, and knowing that someone has done work to map this trail out without expectations from me. It's also led to many useful derived maps like public toilets and parking and accessibility. I've always made…

I'm an avid cyclist and always update routes, document drinking fountains, shelters, bicycle repair stations and update businesses that I see need it.

Re: OpenStreetMap Is Turning 20

#30

Post by seb1204 »

deng wrote: post #22
pietervdvn wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It depends on what exactly you want. Google Maps does more then just being a map, such as navigation, streetview, reviews,... In either case, I've heard quite some people being in love with Qwant Maps. And I try to get to build specialized maps with https://mapcomplete.org

Qwant Maps is discontinued, sadly. Features I would want most from a web frontend for OSM: * Smarter search in the local area that is currently focused, with possibility to search for generic terms like "atm", "bus stop", "bakery", etc. * Display of shops/restaurants/markets/etc with additional information like opening hours (which are available in OSM, I've added a ton of it through StreetComplete and often wondered…

First three points heavily dependent on good local mapping and tagging of POI. The public transport is a topic that is very very hard for local mapping. There is little point in mapping 20 bus stops around me without adding details like network, business etc. these details again are often not easy to get. An public transport overlay would be better in my opinion.
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