Yes I think editing conflicts are something that technical people naturally
worry about, but it's never been such a big problem actually.
Back in the early days I remember people would often say that mappers should be
treating it like checking code into CVS: Do downloads regularly to update your
data from the state on the server, then finally do a download immediately prior
to uploading, fix your conflicts (This can include checking if anything new
appeared in your area, creating a duplicate with new data you are just about to
upload), and only upload when it's all fixed. There's probably some fastidious
mappers who still stick to this approach, but we came to realise that it's a
bit confusing to explain to newbies, and 99% of the time it's unnecessary. It
turns out conflicts just don't happen that often.
However...
Experienced HOTties should be aware of the old download before upload
recommendation. If you have reason to believe that a conflict is more likely
than normal, then it's a good idea to do it. e.g. if you're editing in an area
*immediately* after an announcement/call to action, or if you have held your
data in JOSM for more than an hour since originally downloading. This is no
doubt common on an intermittent internet connection, but also if you're doing a
mammoth mapping session you might keep in mind how long ago it was that you
fetched the data from the server.
There's even a "file" menu "Update data", which is specifically designed for
this. It re-downloads all the same areas you originally downloaded.
However I don't think we should push this as a massively important
recommendation. It's more important to remind everyone to "upload early, upload
often". And doubly more important to not be frightened of contributing. Be
bold! And this includes more experienced mappers being bold about scooting
around fixing stuff up across the wider areas covered by these tasking manager
jobs. ...as I said in a blog
post: http://hot.openstreetmap.org/updates/2012-06-22_finishing_off_the_refugee_camp_mapping
Harry
________________________________
From: Kate Chapman <[email protected]>
To: Jon Bigus Fatfrog <[email protected]>
Cc: Séverin MENARD <[email protected]>; [email protected]
Sent: Saturday, 23 June 2012, 6:53
Subject: Re: [HOT] Editing grids
There shouldn't be problems
with editing conflicts really at least no worse than when we didn't
have the Tasking Manager and people just edited where they thought
work needed to happen.
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