Why We Need OpenStreetMap (Video)

This video is a conversation between Slashdot's Timothy Lord and informal OpenStreetMap spokesman Serge Wroclawski. Serge stresses the point that OpenStreetMap isn't a mapping application, but consists of the data behind mapping applications; that there are many apps that use OpenStreetMap data; and that you are free to use OpenStreetMap as the data engine behind a map-based application. You are also welcome, even encouraged, to contribute, and you may want to check out the OpenStreetMap Foundation, which is "an international not-for-profit organization supporting, but not controlling, the OpenStreetMap Project." Now comes the question: Do you really want Google or MapQuest or another commercial (or government) entity to know where you are and where you're going? With OpenStreetMap you can download maps of your area, country or even the whole world and keep your travels confidential. You can also help create accurate maps of the areas you know best, including points of interest chosen by actual users like you, not because they paid to have their names on a commercially-produced map. A last thought: In addition to watching Serge in the video, you might want to read an article Serge wrote for his blog that The Guardian picked up about the need for OpenStreetMap. The 195+ comments attached to the article are interesting, too.

Comments

Sounds good

[Anonymous Coward]

Anything that knocks Google (and Apple) down a peg or ten is good in my book.

A solution in search of a problem

[rudy_wayne]

The OpenStreetMap people are trying to fix problems that don't actually exist.

"Who decides what gets displayed on a Google Map? The answer is, of course, that Google does. I heard this concern in a meeting with a local government in 2009: they were concerned about using Google Maps on their website because Google makes choices about which businesses to display.

So what? When I search an address, Google shows me where it is. By looking at the map i can see that I need to take street A to Street B and turn left on street C. I don't need a big label that says "LOLS HEREZ TEH PLACE UR LOOKING FOR".

"It seems inevitable that Google will monetise geographic searches, with either premium results, or priority ordering, if it hasn't done so already (is it a coincidence than when I search for "breakfast" near my home, the first result is "SUBWAY® Restaurants"?)."

If you're too stupid to look past the first search result, that's your problem.

Who defines where a neighbourhood is, or whether or not you should go? This issue was brought up by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) when a map provider was providing routing (driving/biking/walking instructions) and used what it determined to be "safe" or "dangerous" neighbourhoods as part of its algorithm. This raises the question of who determines what makes a neighbourhood "safe" or not – or whether safe is merely a codeword for something more sinister.

Yes, because god forbid we should actually tell the truth about something and admit that certain areas have much higher crime rates than others. If you don't like an area being designated as "unsafe" feel free to ignore it and go about your business. What happens after that is your problem, not mine.

Re:It's OK

[Roblimo]

I consider "render it how they like" the equivalent of freedom to choose your own clock face and size rather than the time the clock displays.

 

END FLASH ON /. NOW

[SD-Arcadia]

Fascinating topic, and I'd love to check it out but TOO BAD the video requires the craptastic Adobe Flash plugin. It's 2014, Flash is dying and HTML5 is the real way of doing things now. And Slashdot is supposed to be the home of FOSS-friendly early-adopting geeks? WTF?