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Switch to OpenStreetMap

switch2osm.org

111–120 of 210 posts

Re: Switch to OpenStreetMap

#111
post #34

Has bug-correcting editing improved over the years? We use OSM quite a bit in the public sector because they aren’t snooping. Three years ago one of our internal routing systems broke because someone had reported the street leading up to our administration center as a one-way street in the wrong direction. This meant our 7000 employees couldn’t get compensation for any work related driving, and we couldn’t submit the…

Puzzled by this. It's really really unlikely that you got a ban for one editing error. You can see the list of blocks at https://www.openstreetmap.org/user_blocks and actual bans are only imposed for _repeated_ vandalism, edit-warring or copyright infringement. Short-term user blocks are generally imposed if the user isn't responding to attempts to contact them. Do you have a link for your changeset and what happened…

Wow, the documents for the user blocks are very thorough. Here is a fun snippet that (blocked) user sorein sent to the OSM Data Working Group:

"YOU MORON WHO PROMISED T INTERMEDIATE BETWEEN ME AND THE GYPSIES TAKING OVER IN THE ROMANIAN NEWSLETTER, AND THEN YOU JUST RUDELY FORGOT NEED TO STOP!!! GO DO A JOB FOR WHICH YOU ARTE QUALIFIED"

Re: Switch to OpenStreetMap

#112
post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do you know if there's a way to do this with built in garmin navigation in cars?

If the Garmin in your dash has a memory card slot, or someway to update the maps, then likely yes.

Eh, I wouldn't be so sure there. Not sure if Garmin OEM stuff is any different, but many factory head units only load maps signed by the manufacturer.

Re: Switch to OpenStreetMap

#113
post #83

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I find the interface to be really powerful once I got accustomed it, took some time though. I use it for hiking, motorcycling, measuring distance, searching places and public transport, etc. Its easily one of my most used apps on my mobile

It's very powerful, but, as a result, very stuffed and overwhelming. It's a significant barrier to entry. I've seen it several times. There is definitely a place for a much simpler app, that focuses on the most important features and ease of entry.

I agree, i also saw it happen even with technically minded persons - but I really hope they don't take away that powerful interface from me. I find it invaluable since I got the hang of it.

Re: Switch to OpenStreetMap

#114
post #109
post #103

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Pardon my ignorance, but I'm wondering if anybody has experience with running OpenGIS in Postgres with one of the supported mapping servers listed on their about page? ( https://postgis.net/features/ ) I looked at this for a POC but was notably out of my depth and gave up. I'm not sure exactly how the tileserver OSM provides differs from the mapping servers in the link above.

I have, a few years ago. Unless things have changed dramatically, I would plan to have one full-time person work for a couple weeks to set this up, and a few weeks more if you want to set it up in a way that the map updates automatically over time. Doc is often out of date, some of the tools are unstable, the amount of data to wrangle is not trivial, and checking that your map is ok is actually not that easy, eg you…

Still, judging by the parent comment, it sounds like setting up a tile server in OSM isn't exactly trivial. Rather than editing, In my comment above, I meant PostGIS, not OpenGIS.

Anyway, I was interested in this at the time for a hobby project and (rightly) decided the effort would not be worth it. Thanks for the insight!

Re: Switch to OpenStreetMap

#115
post #45

For anyone that doesn't know, it's trivial to load OSM onto a Garmin GPS and use is for turn-by-turn navigation, for free. I've used it in over 40 countries (including Africa, Europe, North America) and it is staggeringly complete and accurate. From the mega capital cities to the tiniest village, it has every single dirt track, school, hospital, gas station, roundabout, intersection, etc. etc. I can count on one hand…

Is there a way to use that in build in car GPS? Like Toyota Prius 2015?

Re: Switch to OpenStreetMap

#116

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Just started a project to document Bosnia and Hercegovina's remaining minefields on OSM. That's brave - one bug and you could have people walking into a minefield that you've told them was somewhere else.

Arguably better than nothing—kudos to nathancahill for doing something genuinely meaningful.

Also arguably worse than nothing as it could make people living in the area more complacent.

In this case, I think it really depends on the use-cases and whether proper warnings are displayed.

Re: Switch to OpenStreetMap

#117
post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I find StreetComplete to be a handy tool on the phone that lets you enrich OSM data https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/StreetComplete

StreetComplete is fantastic, alas there's no iOS version. And after a while getting used to it you may want to configure the "questions" StreetComplete asks you. Better not answer every type of question than get discouraged or fed up with the umpteenth "is there street lighting?". Of course, if you can stomach being bombarded with questions every few meters, more power to you!

One category of questions I have turned off in StreetComplete is questions about wheelchair accessibility. Since I am not a wheelchair user, I have low confidence that I can identify potential problems for them. Like, obviously stairs are not accessible, but e.g. are the doorways wide enough?

I also turned off speed limits since it has a warning that you need to check the entire road, not just the highlighted spot.

Re: Switch to OpenStreetMap

#118

Ok.. i want to serve tiles... ok, I go here: https://switch2osm.org/serving-tiles/ First option (Build a tile server using packages) ... i click on it.. ubuntu packages... i don't have ubuntu here, let's go back. Second option (Build a tile server from source), takes me here: https://switch2osm.org/?page_id=76 ... where is the documentation? How do i build it from source? Ok fsck it, let's try the "all in one solutio…

You are complaining that a FREE service that provides you with content while also respecting your privacy is not good enough for you.

Re: Switch to OpenStreetMap

#119
There are also some nice services using OSM data. E.g. one of my friends runs the opencage geocoder which uses open data. Also there's at least one good navigation product out there (graphhopper) that I know about. There are several companies providing map tiles. And depending on what country you are in, OSM data may actually be superior. E.g. OSM data in Germany is ridiculously detailed compared to just about everything else. Lots of slums have detailed OSM maps when most other provider just show a blank space.

If you stare a lot at maps for the Bay area, this is about as good as it gets for e.g. Google and Apple maps. Don't assume you get the same level of detail everywhere. Making maps is complicated and expensive. OSM is pretty competitive in many places and the best there is in quite a few other places. And if that's not the case, the locals can fix it, if they want to.

Re: Switch to OpenStreetMap

#120

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Satellite images are not map data in the same way that a photo of a machine is not a blueprint.

I think if the machine was two dimensional and the photo had a measurement scale then it would be as good as a blueprint.

No, many aspects are not captured by a picture. E.g. borders.
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