Hi, Please let me share a few thoughts about the API 0.6 discussion I've been wathing over the last few days.
The discussion makes it pretty obvious there are quite different views and expectations how things should progress. Mostly, this seems like a communication problem that deserves to be handled. There is absolutely nothing wrong with an agile ecosystem and rapid API and data structure changes. In fact, the keep-it-simple approach together with rapid small improvements are the reason why OSM is in such a good shape. However, for people being new to OSM, people just learning about OSM by reading the Wiki, and people evaluating OSM many things WILL remain unclear. What is definitely missing is a short manifesto that is prominently linked on most of the main and API pages. It should clarify a few things, and more important, set a few expectations and make recommendations. [ NOT just more FAQ entries ] Things I'd like to see highlighted: OSM is all about creating high quality, up to date, free (clarify context of "free") geo data. It's all about the data. It should be made very clear to new users and developers what to expect. E.g., what data structures and APIs are likely to change in the future. There should be crystal clear information about the likely rhythm of these changes, and maybe the obvious remark that you should encapsulate the OSM data/API layer. There should be a clear remark how this relates to the online server and the slippy map. People should understand that the online slippy map is not intended as direct replacement for things like Google/Yahoo/MSN maps (in terms of availability, API stability, load factors) There should be clear and concise recommendations when, if and how you should create local copies of OSM data and base your service/project/program on these local copies. What do you think? Alexander P.S.: Personally, I'd love to see some (sane) self-imposed restrictions on API changes. Suggestion: "We will guarantee that all API changes will be fully documented on the Wiki page xx N weeks before the transition". Personally I believe a healthy N would be something like 4 weeks. _______________________________________________ dev mailing list [email protected] http://lists.openstreetmap.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/dev
