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Watch Google Map Edits Live

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Re: Watch Google Map Edits Live

#2

Post by NathanKP »

I think it is incredible to see all the edits going on all around the world, and to see how Google is leveraging its huge reach to get its users to name roads and fill in businesses all over the world, even in remote areas.

Re: Watch Google Map Edits Live

#3

Post by Acorn »

It's a shame that people contribute data to Google Maps when something like Open Street Maps exists.

If I'm going to spend the time it takes to map something, I'd much rather it go into an open source project rather than just improving the product of a for-profit company.

http://www.openstreetmap.org/

Re: Watch Google Map Edits Live

#4

Post by NathanKP »

Acorn wrote: post #3

It's a shame that people contribute data to Google Maps when something like Open Street Maps exists. If I'm going to spend the time it takes to map something, I'd much rather it go into an open source project rather than just improving the product of a for-profit company. http://www.openstreetmap.org/

I would say it is probably because Google makes it very easy to edit maps and it offers navigation. Open Street Map doesn't allow you to enter two addresses and find a route between them. (At least not as far as I can tell.) Therefore if you are living in an area where you want that ability and your local area is not yet mapped, you will map it in Google, not in Open Street Map.

Additionally if you are a business owner you are going to add your business to the map that has more users and searchers. There is little if any benefit to having your business mapped in Open Street Map, whereas having it on the Google Map could potentially bring some customers to you.

Re: Watch Google Map Edits Live

#5

Post by Acorn »

NathanKP wrote: post #4
Acorn wrote: post #3

It's a shame that people contribute data to Google Maps when something like Open Street Maps exists. If I'm going to spend the time it takes to map something, I'd much rather it go into an open source project rather than just improving the product of a for-profit company. http://www.openstreetmap.org/

I would say it is probably because Google makes it very easy to edit maps and it offers navigation. Open Street Map doesn't allow you to enter two addresses and find a route between them. (At least not as far as I can tell.) Therefore if you are living in an area where you want that ability and your local area is not yet mapped, you will map it in Google, not in Open Street Map. Additionally if you are a business own…

The idea of Open Street Maps is not to make tools for map viewing or journey planning, it's to collect user contributed mapping data for the world. That data can then be used by any project that wants to use it.

This tool (using OSM data) allows you to view routes http://www.openrouteservice.org/

I agree though, there is a bit of a lack of good quality tools using OSM data, it's a shame.

Re: Watch Google Map Edits Live

#7

Post by aw3c2 »

NathanKP wrote: post #4
Acorn wrote: post #3

It's a shame that people contribute data to Google Maps when something like Open Street Maps exists. If I'm going to spend the time it takes to map something, I'd much rather it go into an open source project rather than just improving the product of a for-profit company. http://www.openstreetmap.org/

I would say it is probably because Google makes it very easy to edit maps and it offers navigation. Open Street Map doesn't allow you to enter two addresses and find a route between them. (At least not as far as I can tell.) Therefore if you are living in an area where you want that ability and your local area is not yet mapped, you will map it in Google, not in Open Street Map. Additionally if you are a business own…

OSM is the data. It is not the example map rendering on openstreetmap.org. Sad but true. I wish there was no map at all but instead a selection of nice looking and more useful maps listed.

For routing give these a try:

http://map.project-osrm.org/

http://open.mapquest.com/

http://maps.cloudmade.com/

http://openrouteservice.org/

Compared to proper editors the Google map maker thing is horrifying. I tried to use it once and gave up because it just did not do what I was trying to do (adding 3 simply streets).

Re: Watch Google Map Edits Live

#9

Post by a3_nm »

Acorn wrote: post #3

It's a shame that people contribute data to Google Maps when something like Open Street Maps exists. If I'm going to spend the time it takes to map something, I'd much rather it go into an open source project rather than just improving the product of a for-profit company. http://www.openstreetmap.org/

To be precise, OSM is not public domain data. It is under CC-BY-SA and migrating to ODbL. (The migration will probably be painful.)

Re: Watch Google Map Edits Live

#10

Post by AndyJPartridge »

aw3c2 wrote: post #7
NathanKP wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I would say it is probably because Google makes it very easy to edit maps and it offers navigation. Open Street Map doesn't allow you to enter two addresses and find a route between them. (At least not as far as I can tell.) Therefore if you are living in an area where you want that ability and your local area is not yet mapped, you will map it in Google, not in Open Street Map. Additionally if you are a business own…

OSM is the data. It is not the example map rendering on openstreetmap.org. Sad but true. I wish there was no map at all but instead a selection of nice looking and more useful maps listed. For routing give these a try: http://map.project-osrm.org/ http://open.mapquest.com/ http://maps.cloudmade.com/ http://openrouteservice.org/ Compared to proper editors the Google map maker thing is horrifying. I tried to use it onc…

http://openrouteservice.org/

The was the only one that opened upon a map over me :-)

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