Just got done listening to an excellent TLLTS; Episode 272 [1] which is about OpenStreetMap. I browsed on over to openstreetmap.org signed up for an account started "playing" with their editor.
It's totally great; you don't even have to have a GPS device to contribute, you can trace roads and such from Yahoo Aerial View (who have given permission for this) to increase the accuracy of the maps in areas that you know, and add things that the public domain info that covers most of our area just doesn't (like walking trails, etc.). So far I've just been playing in "Practice Mode", but I think I'm about ready to start making actual edits after a few minutes of playing with the interface (with the primer[2] page opened in another tab for reference) If you've got a GPS they have even fancier ways of contributing. You can then export the data in all kinds of image and printer-friendly formats, in pure XML, not to mention they have data for GPS devices and such. Apparently over in England they have a HUGE amount of detail, and people just keep adding stuff. The U.S. is still sorely in need of attention. Anyhow, I found it really interesting and thought some of you guys might be interested as well. Hope you're having a lovely weekend! Simón [1] http://www.tllts.org/audio/tllts_272-11-05-08.ogg [2] http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Potlatch/Primer _______________________________________________ Fwlug mailing list [email protected] http://fortwaynelug.org/mailman/listinfo/fwlug_fortwaynelug.org
