Charlotte,
Thanks for your thoughts on this. I am passing them on & will try to act
on them myself - I Know that at least one person is keen to create a
satellite imagery interpretation guide, which should help.
Regards
Nick
(Tallguy)
On 09/09/14 16:53, Charlotte Wolter wrote:
Nick,
I am not technically a "new" mapper, having workedon several HOT
projects before, But, in a sense, most of us are new mappers because
the terrain is new as is the cultural background on what we see. When
I mapped the Colorado fires, I knew the typical configurations of
roads in the suburbs I was mapping. That is not true for Liberia or
Sierra Leone.
You have highlighted nicely most of the challenges I have encountered
while doing this mapping, and I have some suggestions to go along with
yours.
--The size of the squares--They need to be smaller. Where there are
many scattered farms but few towns, there is no way I can complete the
square in two hours. Worse, it is difficult to keep track of where I
am because I have to zoom in to be sure that what I am seeing is,
indeed, a house. If the square were smaller, I could complete it, and
I wouldn't become so disorieted when I zoom in.
--We need some geographical background on the area, such as examples
of what we might see. For example, one validator corrected an area
that I had, somewhat dubiously, marked as "residential." He said it
was, in fact, surface mining. If I had known that there might be
surface mining (blood diamonds?), then I would have looked more
critically at the bare area with what seemed to be squares.
I think those changes would not require much effort from the HOT
people. I don't want to burden them. I would, however, like to reduce
my frustration while working on this effort.
I like your suggestion about small trial squares. It's a good training
system, but I also think some background on the geography we are
looking at would be helpful.
Best,
Charlotte Wolter
At 06:58 AM 9/9/2014, you wrote:
Hi,
I think there is a gap between the training available from the
various sources such as LearnOSM & someone reaching the stage of
feeling confident to map for HOT. Although we tend to think of new
mappers with no experience at all, it also extends to mappers who are
used to mapping their 'own back yard' but are concerned they may not
interpret the aerial imagery correctly when mapping for HOT.
I have seen several messages appear on the HOT mailing list where a
'new to HOT' mapper has asked where to start. I've also been
contacted by a number of mappers asking me to check / validate their
first squares in HOT. Having been involved in training new mappers at
mapathons I have noticed they are unlikely to finish the current size
of squares within 2 hours & they are also interested in receiving
feedback on their progress. Recent discussion on this mailing list
indicates many mappers are interested in feedback, especially in the
early stages.
As a test to see how successful it would be, I'm interested in having
a project / Task which is marked up as suitable for new mappers. The
squares should be much smaller in size, such that we anticipate the
new mapper can complete a square within 15 to 20 minutes. In the
perfect world that square would then be looked at fairly soon by a
validator who makes suggestions if they are needed. After completing
a few of these squares the new mapper should have the confidence to
move onto any of the other general tasks. As an aside, this need not
be a 'new task' - it could just as easily be a 'high' which has
dropped down the list, but it would need adapting with additional
instructions, and exisitng squares awaiting validation being
validated & the outstanding squares being split far smaller than
normal. It would need to be advertised so that new mappers find it -
highlighted link from the home page of the Tasking Manager?
I'm willing to validate & offer feedback on such a project / task,
but ideally several other validators need to be involved. There are
also times when I am not available.
These views are my own - it would be good to get the opinions of;
a/. New to HOT mappers (we all were once, so everyone's view
appreciated) - would it have helped with the transition, and
b/. potential validators for such a project / task. - if there were a
few squares waiting validation (potentially a new mapper waiting for
a progress report before continuing), would you be willing to help
with the validation. Because the squares are smaller there will be
problems with working out highway grades, and an overview approach
viewing several squares on occasion would be needed.
I'm intending to present this topic at a Training working group, but
would like the views of other mappers.
--
Nick
Volunteer 'Tallguy' for
https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Humanitarian_OSM_Team
<https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Humanitarian_OSM_Team>
http://www.openstreetmap.org/user/Tallguy
<http://www.openstreetmap.org/user/Tallguy>
Treasurer, website & Bonus Ball admin for
http://www.6thswanleyscouts.org.uk/
<http://www.6thswanleyscouts.org.uk/>
([email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]>)
_______________________________________________ HOT mailing list
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<https://lists.openstreetmap.org/listinfo/hot>
Charlotte Wolter
927 18th Street Suite A
Santa Monica, California
90403
+1-310-597-4040
[email protected]
Skype: thetechlady
--
Nick
Volunteer 'Tallguy' for
https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Humanitarian_OSM_Team
http://www.openstreetmap.org/user/Tallguy
Treasurer, website & Bonus Ball admin for
http://www.6thswanleyscouts.org.uk/ ([email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]>)
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