In the last 15 years, I've noticed a distinct trend away from using a source=* tag actually IN the data (an early-2010s convention) much more towards noting source attribution(s) in the changeset comments. This got more prevalent in the late 2010s, continuing strongly into these mid-2020s.
Sure, you still CAN enter a source=* tag, but why? Tagging the changeset comment is becoming "the new convention" for source attribution. Remember, what you enter into OSM, STAYS in OSM (these paper-trails are now much more easier to see with object History versions in our web-based data). So, "once is enough," (for source=* attribution) and "in the changeset" seems to be how many are doing it — and that's just fine. Whether the press-release URL gets put into a source=* tag, a website=* tag (that would be not-quite-correct for source-attribution) or BEST, a changeset comment, it is important to enter source data. I say (and so do many others), put this in the changeset comments. Please and thank you. > On Oct 1, 2025, at 9:13 PM, Ben Ritter <[email protected]> wrote: > > When you are manually making individual changes, and cross referencing > different sources like you are describing, I don't think the elements need a > source tag. The ideal source for information in OSM is the contributors > themselves, so the best outcome is that you are the source of the info in the > tags, based on your observations of the world (which includes the satellite, > local reporting, and on-the-ground surveys). > > A source tag on a feature indicates that the person submitting the changes > hasn't had any input on the information, it is directly from the source. > > Instead, I would include the sources in the changeset comment or changeset > tags. That leaves a paper-trail for other mappers to discover if needed > without adding source tags to the map data that would require maintenance. > > I hope that reasoning makes sense, and that others here agree! > > Cheers, > Ben > > On Thu, 2 Oct 2025 at 11:57, Bob Cameron <[email protected]> wrote: > I have often used local/state/federal govt road reports and press releases on > road surfacing to use as a source for then checking against the available > overhead imagery or using as an excuse to go for a drive! > > I wonder though does a press release actually make it public domain > information that can be used directly? I note for example that Bourke Shire > Council released one (actually copy-write on their website) that says all of > the Bourke-Wanaaring Road is sealed except for the last 9.4km. (The press > release was actually about that it would be 100% sealed later this year) > If that case were okay does the information source URL (as a tag) pointing to > a normally copy-write page get used? > Tnx > _______________________________________________ > Talk-au mailing list > [email protected] > https://lists.openstreetmap.org/listinfo/talk-au > _______________________________________________ > Talk-au mailing list > [email protected] > https://lists.openstreetmap.org/listinfo/talk-au _______________________________________________ Talk-au mailing list [email protected] https://lists.openstreetmap.org/listinfo/talk-au
