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Large Investment in OpenStreetMap from Knight Foundation

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Re: Large Investment in OpenStreetMap from Knight Foundation

#41

Post by nine_k »

graue wrote: post #37
anonymouz wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In some places it sure as hell would improve Google Maps if they would (be able to?) include OSM data. Compare for example Sarajevo on Google Maps at http://goo.gl/maps/kc3yP to its OSM counterpart at http://osm.org/go/xfYWiLv8-- .

Yeah, this looks pretty neglected by Google. Interesting comparison. I couldn't help noticing that the GMaps link loads instantly while this (much more useful) OSM link took nearly 20 seconds to fully load.

Try reloading. I think g.maps code was already in your browser's cache, while OSM's was not.

Re: Large Investment in OpenStreetMap from Knight Foundation

#42

Post by nine_k »

ConstantineXVI wrote: post #9
AndrewDucker wrote: post #2

How long, one wonders, until Open Street Map becomes the ubiquitous standard? Could Google switch to using it, and feed into it themselves to improve its results further?

Google won't dump their own maps for anyone else as long as they remain a competitive advantage. They're (thanks to recent events) clearly perceived as having some of the best maps in the business, as long as that remains so it's in their best interest to keep doing them in-house.

There's no need to dump Google's maps, these are wonderful in many respects.

They could complement their maps with OSM's data where it is better, and there are cases when it is. How such data would be licensed and what OSM should ask in return is an interesting question.

Re: Large Investment in OpenStreetMap from Knight Foundation

#43

Post by rm999 »

runn1ng wrote: post #26
ZeroGravitas wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

OpenStreetMap just underwent a rather tortuous conversion from using Creative Commons to the ODBL ( http://opendatacommons.org/licenses/odbl/ ) I don't fully understand the ramifications, but it's possible that this was done so that companies like Google could build products on top of OSM data rather than re-invent the wheel, possibly in a parallel to GPL and LGPL or the split between Linux and thing like Tivo or And…

So, if I got it right, if Google uses OpenStreetMap, they will have to make their data available under ODBL? Good luck with that.

But they aren't "distributing" data, they are creating an "integrated experience". At least that's how I read it.

Re: Large Investment in OpenStreetMap from Knight Foundation

#45

Post by ernesth »

draggnar wrote: post #19
AndrewDucker wrote: post #2

How long, one wonders, until Open Street Map becomes the ubiquitous standard? Could Google switch to using it, and feed into it themselves to improve its results further?

Bing has added a open street maps layer, and I wouldn't be surprised if it is in the next iteration of the Nokia 3d maps ( http://maps3d.svc.nokia.com/webgl/index.html ) which does not currently have street names or local listings. My question is, are they waiting for webgl to be on mobile?

I don't understand your chain of thoughts.

Why would nokia be adding an openstreetmap overlay instead of a nokia maps one?

> are they waiting for webgl to be on mobile?

Are who waiting? You may not know that nokia not only sells cartography data to gps makers and online map services but also build and sells smartphones... Their current mobile maps, drive and city lens applications are really impressive.

Re: Large Investment in OpenStreetMap from Knight Foundation

#46

Post by ConstantineXVI »

nine_k wrote: post #42
ConstantineXVI wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Google won't dump their own maps for anyone else as long as they remain a competitive advantage. They're (thanks to recent events) clearly perceived as having some of the best maps in the business, as long as that remains so it's in their best interest to keep doing them in-house.

There's no need to dump Google's maps, these are wonderful in many respects. They could complement their maps with OSM's data where it is better, and there are cases when it is. How such data would be licensed and what OSM should ask in return is an interesting question.

Technically and pragmatically speaking, tying in OSM data would be best for all involved. Politically, they wouldn't be able to claim the exclusivity they have now and they'd lose a giant bullet point vs. Apple (no matter how much OSM data they're actually using).

Re: Large Investment in OpenStreetMap from Knight Foundation

#47

Post by ballpark »

Could anyone explain what the benefit might be to investing in an open source service like OpenStreetMap? This is a sincere question.

[edit] I know that the concept is brilliant, it's a great service, and has great potential. Will investors potentially build chargeable products that use it? Why not just invest more into their product to enhance it?

Re: Large Investment in OpenStreetMap from Knight Foundation

#48

Post by buro9 »

anonymouz wrote: post #34
AndrewDucker wrote: post #2

How long, one wonders, until Open Street Map becomes the ubiquitous standard? Could Google switch to using it, and feed into it themselves to improve its results further?

In some places it sure as hell would improve Google Maps if they would (be able to?) include OSM data. Compare for example Sarajevo on Google Maps at http://goo.gl/maps/kc3yP to its OSM counterpart at http://osm.org/go/xfYWiLv8-- .

Even in the UK I still find Google has gaps where OSM does not.

In a recent trip to Bristol I was staying at a guest house on Exchange Avenue:

Google: https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&#3...

OSM: http://www.openstreetmap.org/?lat=51.454096&lon=-2.59397...

The truth lies somewhere between the various maps out there. In some places Google rules, in others OSM rules. Occasionally, neither rules and usually some local mapping does.

I like that there's competition to keep all of them on their toes, and I very much like that one of the contenders is a community project.

Re: Large Investment in OpenStreetMap from Knight Foundation

#50

Post by cpeterso »

signalsignal wrote: post #36
tszming wrote: post #30

The more we hate the Apple's map, the more we need to worry if our life is depending too much on a particular company like Google or Facebook. It is just the beginning, kudos to OSM, I really hope OSM can be as successful as Wikipedia in the future.

Apple wrote a software application which uses Openstreetmap and Tomtom. They don't have an actual map data set like Google does.

Users use apps, not map data. Apple's Map app is the gateway to mobile maps for many people. When Apple switches their backend data, their users don't have much alternative.
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