Frederik, All this is true, but.... I think we are too concentrated on generating content (i.e. mapping) as opposed to actually using this data for some meaningful purpose. I guess this is natural, since majority of OSM users are mostly map data producers, and only the minority is actively involved in map "consuming".
My point is that we should listen to people who are trying to use our mapping data (both for non-profit and commercially). After all, isn't it the whole point of OSM to produce something useful? Or is just so that we can show a nice world map on the main page? Regards, Igor Frederik Ramm wrote: > Hi, > > NopMap wrote: > >> OSM is quite suitable for any hobby project, but I believe that the >> anarchistic nature and the often controversial and sometimes disputed and >> chaotic tagging are reason enough to deter the use of OSM in any >> professional area where you are talking about warranties. >> > > I don't think that the line is between "hobby" and "professional". > > OSM with their volunteers does one kind of mapping, and TeleAtlas with > their vans does another kind of mapping. Each has its own distinctive > advantages. There are professional users wo spend money on OSM data when > they *already have* TeleAtlas data. > > The commercial maps have fixed tagging schemes, minimum quality > standards and only accept trained personnel as mappers. They have long > turnaround times and cost a lot of money to maintain. At OSM we have no > fixed tagging schema, no minimum quality standards, and anyone can map. > We have super fast turnaround times and cost nothing to maintain. > Different approaches - different results. Not worse or better; different. > > I don't see how you could have the advantages without the disadvantages. > Add a fixed tagging scheme and peer review to OSM and you get more > quality but less data and longer turnaround times; before long you are > TeleAtlas v2.0 and have to charge for maps to pay your mappers because > nobody does it for fun any more. > > So, yes, in my eyes the approach is really "take it or leave it", and if > someone decides he'd rather use TeleAtlas or Navteq then by all means, > let him do it. I don't know why Dave F finds this "VERY disillusioning"; > what was his illusion then? For OSM to rule the world? I think the world > is much better of with a few map datasets following different approaches > that with a "one size fits all" dataset. > > Bye > Frederik > > -- http://igorbrejc.net _______________________________________________ talk mailing list talk@openstreetmap.org http://lists.openstreetmap.org/listinfo/talk
