Is it better than OSMAnd? (I love OSMAnd)
Simpler.
Organic Maps
351–360 of 493 posts
Re: Organic Maps
#352Anyone know how to upload maps files into app?
I do NOT want to download maps from their servers.
Is it possible?
Re: Organic Maps
#353I use Organic Maps for hiking specifically because it's not a "hiking app". There are way too many apps out there that expect you to just hike a trail that someone else has already hiked. Want to combine intersecting trails? You're out of luck. Want to use a trail you didn't explicitly pre-download without a data connection? You're out of luck But with Organic Maps, I find it has all the trails (at least on two separ…
Mapy.cz
Re: Organic Maps
#354I'm impressed normally free open source apps aren't great quality. This looks quite polished. I was trying to figure out what library it uses for map rendering. It seems like it uses a custom C++ code for map rendering?
Re: Organic Maps
#355Earlier quoted context omitted.
I had a bizarre encounter when working there, also Maps related. I lived in the UK at the time and my post code just didn't exist in Google Maps. I did some digging, and found out that in fact no post codes in the UK had been added in quite some time. Eventually I found out why: There was some lead dev on Maps, who refused to allow new imports of UK post code data because he thought they were "wrong". They were seein…
I think this is actually a really perfect demonstration of why you often shouldn't attribute things to malice which can be explained by incompetence. This is on my mind a lot when I see speculation about why google (or other large organizations) does various things. It's just a bunch of human beings with egos and biases and blind spots and imperfect information. Mistakes are made.
I'll bet he can reverse a binary tree blindfolded though.
Re: Organic Maps
#356This was the first time I’d heard of the app, but due to comments in this thread I downloaded it. * Website, ethos: straightforward. “Old internet” vibes, love it. They seem very active, have a presence on every platform, very impressive * The app seems very nice. Simple clear UI. Lots of features. I need to experiment for more than a few minutes but I get the impression it could replace Google Maps for me, especiall…
> It’s developed in Estonia!
It's actually developed by mostly Russian and Belorussian developers who live in Switzerland, New Zealand, Russia, and Belarus. Also, there are some significant contributions from residents of other countries, but none of them are from Estonia. Looks like the only Estonian thing is legal entity for doing business.
But nevertheless, I agree that Estonia is remarkable for its IT culture. I used to work with several Estonian colleagues, and they are great engineers whom I highly respect as professionals.
Re: Organic Maps
#357Earlier quoted context omitted.
What I especially like about Organic Maps and OSM in general is how searching for "water" shows nearby water fountains. Depending on the country and region it helps if your running out of water while hiking. It's not necessarily the best water but at least where I live drinking it is usually not a problem (especially if your drinking a small amount). Water is also listed in the categories tab next to WiFi, Pharmacies…
You can also more specifically search for "drinking water" I think :)
Thank you, that's awesome.
Re: Organic Maps
#358Earlier quoted context omitted.
You think Google is watching your location only when you're using Google Maps?
The widespread assumption that Google collects all data all the time and uses it for everything is ridiculous. There’s a labyrinth of explicit user agreements, all of which are strictly enforced, and then there are further layers of voluntary restrictions on top of that. Yes, Google might collect location data even when you’re not using Maps (there are a lot of passionate, dedicated Timeline users), but you have to h…
I had to go to great lengths to disable location history, and Google penalizes me for it by disabling search history in Maps as a result. I'm sure 99% of people don't go to great lengths to disable location history and so yes your entire history of GPS locations is basically saved to a Google database as far as I remember. (Note I'm obviously a user recalling details from years ago and not a Google employee/developer. My perception that Google collects all our GPS details forever by default is based on reality, whether or not that means you as an employee would actually be able to do anything with that data.)
Re: Organic Maps
#359Earlier quoted context omitted.
It's maddening that tens of millions of users is "give up and do something else" territory for Google.
Yes, it’s also maddening for most Googlers who are passionate about the work they want to do that would affect just tens of millions (or less). But at least it leaves room for other companies in some situations. What’s really sad is when there’s something that could only be done by Apple or Google, but it’s too small for either of them to actually do it.
Problem is those companies are like Nest, who made good products with love and then sold themselves to Google who then turned most Nest products into bargain-basement offerings with half the features. So the only real fix is FOSS, since everything else can be bought and killed. (FOSS can be too, but it's harder.)
Re: Organic Maps
#360Earlier quoted context omitted.
For cycling, yeah, that’s why I said I’m very sorry I wasn’t successful. For pedestrian, I’d disagree. At least in places I go, I find Google’s walking directions to be top notch.
For hiking OSM blows Google out of the water. I'm surprised how detailed OSM is with random forest trails and shortcuts, resting spots, viewpoints, etc. The main thing I use Google Maps for is searching for stores etc in cities. I hope such information becomes easier to contribute to OSM. Perhaps a Pokémon Go style game for map updates could work? StreetComplete[0] is good, but the rewards are kind of boring. 0 https…
Recall that Google as a company doesn't care about making people's lives easier and better, they care about inserting themselves as a middleman in aspects of your daily life and then trying to sell ads about it. They might invent a "talk to your grandma anytime" app and tell you it's because they love your sweet grandma, but the only things that will get attention and dev work are the bits that figure out how to sell you more stuff.