Alan Mintz wrote: >For several months, I've been doing a lot of mapping on OSM in southern >California. > >In general, when there is not a direct answer for something in the wiki, >I've tried to come up with one from logic and similar documented >situations, tagged that way, and then added it to my list of issues, which >has grown to several dozen now, instead of bombarding the mailing list with >questions. > >What do I do now? Do I edit the wiki to reflect what I've done, and maybe >send a list of links to the list so people can review/comment/object, or >should I send the issues one by one to the mailing list and then fix if >necessary and document afterwards, or some other method?
You can find many different threads in the various talk lists about how to handle changes, from the "only use approved tags" to the "tag it anyway you want and forget about it". But based on my very limited experience, a middle of the road approach to answer your question is "It depends." If you are adding a simple expansion to an existing tag, (such as my addition of number as an additional tag for addr:interpolation), or maybe the addition of "culvert" as an additional tag for waterways, then go ahead and use it. But, bring it to the masses in talk-tagging. You may find that you have missed an existing tag, or others may have ideas for improvement. Then, when the dust settles, add it to Map Features if appropriate, and go back and tweak your tags, if necessary. For more extensive changes, which might require a significant description, and may impact existing tagging methods (such as my proposal to add "covered" as a property to tag various nodes/ways/areas) it may be better to create a formal proposal page and add it to Proposed Features, and announce it in both tagging and talk-main. If you're unsure about the approach, bring it to talk. Someone will tell you which way to go (but be prepared for conflicting responses). Then there are the simple little things like adding a new amenity or shop tag. Personally, if I can't find an existing tag that fits, I just come up with the best description I can, and press on. You may (or may not) want to announce that you've added one. Amenities and shops are of such wide variety that it is hardly worth announcing them. It is, however, a good idea to check TagWatch, to see if you can find something similar that works rather than adding a new tag. Final caveat: I'm a relative newbie, so take what I say with a grain of salt, and listen to the more experienced. -- Randy _______________________________________________ newbies mailing list [email protected] http://lists.openstreetmap.org/listinfo/newbies
