this post was submitted on 13 Jul 2023
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I've tried using it over the years but I never liked it because there was no information. So last night I looked at my local city and there is almost no information at all. I spent a few hours last night adding buildings and restaurants and removing incorrect items. It was actually kind of fun and therapeutic and I plan to do more of it tonight. My girlfriend thinks it's dumb and I'm wasting my time because Google maps and Apple maps and Bing maps exists but she just doesn't understand open source.

Edit: Apologies, I just realized this question is not Linux specific.

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[–] [email protected] 93 points 1 year ago (5 children)

I've been editing OSM for years. (896,339 edits in 3,427 changesets, apparently!) For me, it's all about the free data. I once got a thank you note from someone who worked for a city with a particularly large municipal park. I'd added almost all the trails to the park and other information, and they'd used it to produce a printed map for the general public. Exactly the kind of thing I'd hoped for!

Personally, I do a lot of dualsport motorcycling and most backcountry maps around here are subpar. I map tons of trails and 2track and put them on the Garmin so I know where I'm going.

OSM is also great in lots of Europe--tons of detail.

JOSM is great.

Someone just recommended Organic Maps for the phone--it's way snappier than Google Maps, but still not great with finding addresses.

[–] [email protected] 18 points 1 year ago (1 children)

What an awesome story to hear. I've been playing around with Organic Maps on my phone. I'll have to look into JOSM.

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[–] [email protected] 84 points 1 year ago (10 children)

https://streetcomplete.app/ is a fun way to contribute to OSM and do something else instead of just "walking" if you want to get outside a bit.

[–] [email protected] 27 points 1 year ago (1 children)

This is what I use! It's like RPG quests in real life but about really boring subjects. Eg. What surface is the pavement on a nearby street. Or is there a bin next to this bus stop

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[–] [email protected] 58 points 1 year ago (1 children)

OSM is an awesome project I agree it is fun contributing to it but it is not as useful yet due to what you describe, details.

Finding addresses and other specific information is very hit or miss in some areas. Especially in the US where no one really cares about it other than tech corporations using it for quick info like street layouts.

My entire city has address numbers missing and for a long time I used an app on my phone (StreetComplete) to fix address numbers and other various details. But it can be overwhelming very quickly depending on how outdated or not updated your place is. Time you enjoyed wasting is not wasted time by the way.

[–] [email protected] 17 points 1 year ago

Try Everydoor as well. Another StreetComplete like App that's great for adding simple items

[–] [email protected] 46 points 1 year ago (5 children)

OSM is huge for backcountry. Hiking trails, skiing, etc. There is nothing better.

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[–] [email protected] 40 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (4 children)

Yeah. Story time:

In the England we have ancient rights-of-way laws but a lot of private landowners try to block footpaths that cross their land. If a landowner can argue a footpath hasn't been used in (I think) two years they can have it removed, but in 2025 all the existing footpaths will be made permanent and indelible except with explicit local government permission so between now and then a lot of landowners will be rushing to get paths removed.

I've made a point of walking every footpath in my area and making sure they're all documented on OSM. If any of the landowners try to get a path removed I have my GPS tracks as proof of use.

Edit: FWIW, I find OSM to be the best map for rambling. Google and Apple don't come close and OSM even gives Ordinance Survey a run for it's money.

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[–] [email protected] 38 points 1 year ago (6 children)

Yes I use OSM almost exclusively and have contributed to it.

Where I live, in Germany, OSM is pretty much on the same level as Google Maps and way better than Apple Maps. Sometimes there is outdated info but you can quickly correct it. Sometimes I double check stuff with GM. Some information is even better than GM. But I think Germany has a pretty strong OSM community, at least in my city.

I use Organic Maps on iOS.

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[–] [email protected] 36 points 1 year ago (8 children)

Im currently using streetcomplete, which is an app that gamifies the experience of fulfilling OSM gaps. It's like playing pokemon go but you are hunting a street with isle. I found this recommendation here in lemmy so im passing forward, I loved it

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[–] [email protected] 32 points 1 year ago (6 children)

I use OsmAnd~. Mainly to analyze my skating routes (average speed, distance, etc) and planning sightseeing routes when on vacation.

For finding commute an app from local public transport is still the best and google maps are better than osmand, but for navigation on foot it's very good. And you can download the region earlier, so when you use it, you don't need that much data.

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[–] [email protected] 27 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (3 children)

I regularly use OSM data through Organic Maps (mostly for larger European cities). The app is really polished and is a joy to use. So far I'm not missing any features from Google Maps.

I've also updated some faulty business hours for some restaurants so I guess I've contributed back.

E: With the recent developments in the world of free online services (YouTube blocking ad-blockers, Google lying to their customers about its TrueView ads, Twitter rate limiting free access, the Reddit API fiasco), I wonder how much longer we can take free services like Google Maps for granted. Having an open alternative may become even more important in the future.

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[–] [email protected] 26 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

I use it quite often, but only recently began contributing. And as they (very) wisely say at the bottom of the wiki (https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Editing_Standards_and_Conventions ):

WARNING: OpenStreetMap is highly addictive Take frequent breaks, there is a lot to be done.

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[–] [email protected] 25 points 1 year ago

Where I live it's much more complete than google maps, especially in the countryside.

[–] [email protected] 25 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I use it all the time with OSMand. and i have contributed to OSM for years. I just had a look - i start in Sep 2010 (13 years!) and all of my edits (except for a humanitarian tracing excersice for mozambique) i have been to. it is a niice spread:

[–] [email protected] 16 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Ooohh!! Please, post a bit in the lemmy community as well.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Hi there! Looks like you linked to a Lemmy community using a URL instead of its name, which doesn't work well for people on different instances. Try fixing it like this: [email protected]

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[–] [email protected] 24 points 1 year ago

I contribute regularly. I used to waste a lot of time watching TV series, instead now I contribute to OSM.

[–] [email protected] 24 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Currently at 319 contributions on OpenStreetMap since the 22 of December 2022 some part of south Italy are not mapped at all so I'm trying my best to make at least usable.

If someone want to contribute to osm StreetComplete let you add simple tags to already existing tags and let you add stores with a monstrous simplicity!

Anyway tell your girlfriend that apple maps and bing maps use data from openstreet map and are huge contributors to the project, in fact the default map when you edit in osm is from bing!

[–] [email protected] 22 points 1 year ago

I spent a few hours last night adding buildings and restaurants and removing incorrect items. It was actually kind of fun and therapeutic and I plan to do more of it tonight.

Same here. I actually use OSM editing as others would use drawing. I even edit on OSM while engaging with people, just as others would sketch in their drawing book.

My girlfriend thinks it’s dumb and I’m wasting my time because Google maps and Apple maps and Bing maps exists

In case you or she is into hiking: Komoot is literally using OSM data. Paths for hiking and cycling outside the city are almost nonexistent on the big commercial services. When I'm going for a walk and I find a trashcan, I add it to OSM while I'm walking. My thinking is that people might be less likely to throw trash in the woods when they know that a trashcan is just around the corner.

Apologies, I just realized this question is not Linux specific.

"Has anyone used or contributed to OpenStreetMap, the data source of popular Linux apps Gnome Maps and KDE Marble?"

FTFY

[–] [email protected] 21 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I'm in the UK and open street map has mapped out my local area more accurately than google. It is marginal, but I stopped using google maps after a few issues: I was hiking and it directed me into a privately owned farm (claiming it is a permissive footpath).The farmer was very racist.

Another time I was directed through the middle of a primary school.

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[–] [email protected] 18 points 1 year ago (6 children)

you like lemmy? it works because ppl contribute. osm...same! try https://streetcomplete.app and contribute!!!

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[–] [email protected] 18 points 1 year ago (1 children)
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[–] [email protected] 17 points 1 year ago

Every time I move to a new area this is one of things I do. Outside of Google, a lot of the other maps start with open street maps as their data set as it's an excellent jumping off point. So you're not just helping open street maps You're helping most map applications.

[–] [email protected] 17 points 1 year ago (4 children)

I've been contributing to it via Street complete (can get it on fdroid) and it has become quite a hobby of mine.

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[–] [email protected] 16 points 1 year ago

I have updated a dirt road to asphalt.

[–] [email protected] 16 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I got very into it in the early days. Probably around 2007-2008, I was mapping parts of my large town in Australia. The data it had was pretty bad, with a lot of the roundabouts modelled as intersections and it didn't have any new streets. Every week I rode my bike around parts of town capturing GPS trails to mark the streets. I would manually import the points and model the roads and carefully model the roundabouts (the tooling was very basic back then, roundabouts were hard to make).

Then one day I logged in and noticed ALL my edits were gone. The whole state had been mass updated in one go, with new street data that was donated by some agency. But it was so bad. It had roads marked that didn't exist. Some new roads were marked but in the wrong place. And all the roundabouts were modelled as intersections again! I got so frustrated, I immediately logged off and I haven't contributed to OSM since then.

[–] [email protected] 15 points 1 year ago

We use OSM quite a bit for various things at my job (transport logistics software). We're generally concerned with UK cities, where the coverage is quite good, however we often find little things which aren't quiiiite right and make a fix or two.

It's a really cool project, overall

[–] [email protected] 15 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I have done 14k edits over six years. I too like it for being therapeutic. I'd rather do micro-edita on osm than play another level of candy crush. Same kind of reward but you are also helping out creating something larger!

Honestly though, I don't think osm will ever catch up to the commercial alternatives. Mostly because their harsh stance against automatic edits (and lack of version control). Also the lack of standardization is a problem. It's very hard to create client applications because the data is structured way different in different regions.

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[–] [email protected] 15 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I am actually going to a mapathon event in my city this weekend, so yea, there's an active community of people making their surroundings more accurate on OSM.

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[–] [email protected] 14 points 1 year ago

I use, and contribute to it, quite often.

In fact, just a few months ago I added the 90% missing houses and buildings from my city (of 200,000), which took about 60 hours 😂 Totally worth it.

Keep in mind that not only do OpenStreetMap users benefit from the maps, but so do users of countless other map providers and services that rely on OSM data. 👌

[–] [email protected] 14 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Yes, all the time. Great job helping out the project! Contributing is super valuable, even if it's just a bit.

Check out if you haven't, the app "Street Complete". It allows you to really quickly add information to OSM in a fun gamified way.

It automatically finds your location and gives you little pop-up questions like, "what kind of crosswalk is here?" And, "where is this fire hydrant located?"

I go on walks in my area and will contribute that way too.

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[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (4 children)

I did a few small corrections in the area I live. I removed a public road that wasn't a road but a private paved path. I got heavily criticized in a PM by another member for doing so. Haven't bothered doing anything since

Editing since people are correction me. Perhaps path is the wrong word to have used. Driveway would probably be more suitable.

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[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

A couple of years ago, I had took the time to map in and around a small town close to me. I had mostly drawn building outlines that weren't there and updated POI stuff with some road corrections here and there. It was nice seeing the gradual changes I did after each time updating the map information on Map.me knowing that I’m helping anyone that plans to go through the area to have accurate information on what’s around.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 year ago (4 children)

Yes. Most of my contributions are "drinking water" (public water fountains) and "restrooms"

I've been meaning to ask: what's the appropriate POI for a normal 115/220 power outlet socket?

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[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 year ago (3 children)

I travel quite a bit, both for work and for pleasure, so when I have an hour or two to burn I take a walk around and make some contribution with StreetComplete.
It seems like I've found a new way of being a tourist.

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[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 year ago (8 children)

I'm curious where you live that there isn't much mapping data. I've used StreetComplete for a few years, everywhere I've been wherever I've travelled all over the world. Wherever I go, there's already so much data and it's already so detailed, that the only stuff StreetComplete can give me is "what kind of paving stones are used on this sidewalk?" and "how many floors are in this apartment building 3 blocks away?"

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[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 year ago (1 children)

My girlfriend thinks it’s dumb and I’m wasting my time because Google maps and Apple maps and Bing maps exists but she just doesn’t understand open source.

Time to move on, she ain't the one. /s

[–] [email protected] 15 points 1 year ago (2 children)

You need a girlfriend you can recompile yourself from source!

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago

completely open source and shared with others

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[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Yup!

I have switched from Google Maps to Here we go for years now and been loving it

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[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 year ago

Started contributing 2 weeks ago and just did a walk for StreetComplete yesterday, it's hella fun and I've added a lot of POIs on my city since i started, just over 400 changesets atm :)

[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 year ago

Used it every day when delivering, because there was much more detail than google maps, so I could actually see where fences and gates are. Used Waze to drive and OSM to walk.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago

Yes and yes! Couldn't contribute that much but I try to

I think having a highly important FOSS project that is not controlled by a company known for shutting down many of its beloved products (I'm talking about you Google) is pretty nice...

Also I think map quality is location-dependent. I live in a large metropolitan area in Southern US; OSM is usable, but there are no house/building numbers, and a good number of businesses are missing. In contrast I think the map is a lot better in Chicago which is a lot more pedestrian-friendly? Also, when I looked at Germany it seems OSM is on-par or better than Google Maps... in fact one of the larger rental websites use OSM instead of Google Maps (imagine Zillow doing it in US lol)

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

It's very popular outside of US. In Iran, every single domestic map, navigation, e-taxi, and online delivery system uses OSM maps. Iran has a pretty good coverage on OSM however many businesses upload their data to Google Maps first.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Here in kerala ( a small state in india ), we have a project called Mapathon Keralam. They work with engineering colleges to map out nearby places as well as any place in general. Had contributed few places myself. So pretty much all places in kerala are now mapped in it :)

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[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago

I started with street complete, an app that lets you contribute/ fill out stuff in a playfull way, makes it a lot easier! Also OpenStreetMap is better in some things than g-maps e.g. for cycling roads, people with special needs or if you want to know where e.g. benches or waterplaces are

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Hi! Wrong sub? No worries, our ~~subreddit~~community ([email protected]) is right here as well!

Did you also know that Apple Maps and Bing Maps use OSM data too in some areas, for some types of categories? Bing even has cloned an OSM-editing program.

Furthermore, you can use https://mapcomplete.osm.be to add shops or other POI. (Obligatory shill as I'm the main dev of that one ;) )

pietervdvn

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[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I use organic maps, they are very good

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