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OpenStreetMap.org Gets Routing

Posted by timothy on from the proceed-to-virtuous-circle-way dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Good news for OpenStreetMap: the main website now has A-to-B routing (directions) built in to the homepage! The OSM website offers directions which are powered by third-parties using OSM data, providing car, bike, and foot routing. OpenStreetMap has a saying: 'What gets rendered, gets mapped' – meaning that often you don't notice a bit of data that needs tweaking unless it actually shows up on the map image. It will make OpenStreetMap's data better by creating a virtuous feedback loop."

4 of 77 comments (clear)

  1. A decade behind the rest by wired_parrot · · Score: 2, Insightful

    So OpenStreetMaps is only now adding a basic mapping feature that's been available in other sites for over 10 years now, and somehow we're supposed to get excited about it? To me this is only highlighting how far behind a lot of the open source software is compared to commercially available applications.

  2. Re:Now needs a better phone app by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Guessing you're a motorist. For getting from point A to point B by bike, OSM kicks Google's ass. If I ask Google for bike directions it sends me up along a 70mph divided highway with no shoulders. No thanks.

  3. Re:Now needs a better phone app by NotInHere · · Score: 5, Insightful

    GoogleMaps will never have a sane license for their maps. When you edit google maps, you perhaps improve their map. But its their map then, not yours anymore. OSM map is everyone's. You instantly have access to all kinds of map data -- google maps will never be as good as OSM here. Want to generate a power grid of europe? if you have the knowledge, its just a command away.

  4. Re:Now needs a better phone app by thetoadwarrior · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I'm not sure why anyone would contribute to Google maps. Who works for one of the world's largest corporations for free?