Fast Software, the Best Software (2019) • Hacker News Board

Re: Fast Software, the Best Software (2019)

#91

Post by dmurray » Mon, Jul 06, 2026, 7:53 PM UTC

NateEag wrote: post #69

dmurray wrote: post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Isn't OSM the data layer, and people are free to build apps on top of it? "The data is better than Google maps, it just needs a better routing algorithm" should be catnip to a certain class of OS dev. If it's really true, I'll take a crack at it myself!

It's not true. At least, not exactly. At its best, the OSM data puts Google to _shame_. Super-fine resolution and details, nuances of street layout precisely correct, mountains of meticulously-maintained metadata that makes manifold niche geospatial apps possible. Alas, in any given area, OSM is only as good as the union of the publicly-provided street data and the obsessiveness of the area's mappers. Most towns in c…

I suppose Google also has the user-collected data that can tell you which routes are going to be busy. Almost impossible for OSM to replicate that.

Re: Fast Software, the Best Software (2019)

#92

Post by maelito » Mon, Jul 06, 2026, 9:27 PM UTC

carlosjobim wrote: post #49

ivanjermakov wrote: post #21

> Google Maps has gotten so slow When it comes to navigating (except public transit), hiking, and route building, Organic Maps[1] is very good. OSM data and offline-first is the way forward for detailed and _fast_ map experience. For cycling route building I have to mention BRouter[2], which allows you to write a custom cost function that is used to tweak your route preferences. [1]: https://organicmaps.app/ [2]: htt…

https://www.cycle.travel is also excellent for cycling routes. Made by a solo developer as far as I remember.

Who also build Tilemaker.

Re: Fast Software, the Best Software (2019)

#93

Post by NateEag » Mon, Jul 06, 2026, 11:15 PM UTC

dmurray wrote: post #91

NateEag wrote: post #69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not true. At least, not exactly. At its best, the OSM data puts Google to _shame_. Super-fine resolution and details, nuances of street layout precisely correct, mountains of meticulously-maintained metadata that makes manifold niche geospatial apps possible. Alas, in any given area, OSM is only as good as the union of the publicly-provided street data and the obsessiveness of the area's mappers. Most towns in c…

I suppose Google also has the user-collected data that can tell you which routes are going to be busy. Almost impossible for OSM to replicate that.

It would be hard, yeah.

It's a network effect thing - if enough people used an OSM client and opted into sharing anonymized location data, you might be able to get somewhere with it.

In practice, I think it'd have the same problem as the core map data - surprisingly good data in places with a lot of adopters, and nothing at all in places without.

That said, though, the traffic data is pretty secondary - a good, open routing engine would be lovely to have, and will slowly become more relevant as the map expand and fills out.