Of Course! The entire priest example could fix many problems...but that
is a longer discussion over drinks.
The US is a huge place and OSM is still this "thing" people hear about
and don't understand. I've taught two (by tomorrow) classes to GIS
people on what OSM is and what it isn't. It's a slow process educating
the populace this wonderful thing exists.
Editing is important to be part of the community - but the OSM US board
operates both in and out or that community (if that makes sense). They
announce editathons and attempt to engage support for OSM. As several
have said (and I won't go back and look for the people to match with the
quotes):
* Engagement with the US Community. It would be wonderful if OSM US
board members took the lead and held a mapping party in their
community. It's not necessary - maybe they help pave the way for a
more active mapper to hold an event.Colleges have a little clue this
exists. Have a prepared presentation where someone can go explain
OSM in a friendly non scary manner for the people who have never
edited.
* Women and Minorities. We are predominately Caucasian and male. That
is not good. My only success in 300 kids taught at a High School is
one young lady who periodically maps for HOT.
* One candidate had mentioned getting a layer for the US to render our
wonderfully complicated highway system. I still can't explain what a
trunk road is...or isn't.
* Holding the US conference - Months of paperwork with not a feature
edited to get that going.
* 501c3 status - I helped (I'm a terrible treasurer) and that was so
complicated we had to bring in an accountant and that months of
discovery on lost paypal accounts and things. I feel a personal
sense of failure that still hasn't happened
* There was an announcement from the board of scholarships to go to
the South American OSM conference (?) - once again - no edits but
paperwork type of things that push community engagement.
So there are tons of things that need done that never involve one single
edit. It would help if they did - but being an anything on the board
never involves touching the map.
I understand bringing up the editing history of candidates. It's another
tool to measure engagement - but for this (IMO) it doesn't mean much at
all. Hopefully by the time they leave the board they are editing and
happy and doing good things. What is the current mapping engagement of
the DWG?..or the OSMF? The HOT Board? It doesn't matter for that position.
Our job is to map - there's will be the terrible things no one wants to
do like paperwork and talk to people. Wear a suit. Look sane if they are
ever speaking to an influential group of people on OSM.
Anyway - that was too long of an answer for a Sunday Morning. Forgive me.
Randy
On 10/05/2014 06:17 AM, Martin Koppenhoefer wrote:
Il giorno 03/ott/2014, alle ore 21:23, Randal Hale
<rjh...@northrivergeographic.com> ha scritto:
It has nothing to do with being on the OSM US Board. I was on it for two
years......we discussed editing, ....Neither of which had any bearing on that
candidates experience with editing.
if you are discussing editing it will surely help in the discussion to have
edited yourself ;-)
would you ask a catholic priest about raising kids? You'd surely get an answer,
but it will remain highly theoretical;-)
cheers
Martin
--
-----------------
Randal Hale
North River Geographic Systems, Inc
http://www.northrivergeographic.com
423.653.3611 rjh...@northrivergeographic.com
twitter:rjhale http://about.me/rjhale
http://www.northrivergeographic.com/spatial-connect
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