Google, Waze and OSMF have partnered on a common initiative to explore crowd-sourced mapping solutions. Yes, this is real. See:

www.closedstreetmap.org

for the full press release. Contact me if you want to be involved.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SR8zClNnWc?wmode=transparent]

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNm9uKTLofA?wmode=transparent]

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cB7xLTJP7T8?wmode=transparent]

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYinK3g3u-Q?wmode=transparent]

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osOl5Xe8jHU?wmode=transparent]

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTzfJ5P9qYw?wmode=transparent]

Michael writes:

After one year I have released the version 0.9 [of the OSM wordpress plugin] which includes a lot of feedback from people using OpenStreetMap in their WordPress blog. The progress of OpenStreetMap maps and the fact, that many people use OpenStreetMap in their blog is motivating to keep the development of OSM-plugin running. Features implemented within the last year are covered by version 0.9:

•
OSM-shortcode generator in WP-settings
•
performance improvements
•
integrated icons
•
several gpx and kml files within one map
•
interface for geocaching
•
simple popup-html-marker with custom field
•
template tags to be added in the WP-theme
•
load non-OSM tiles
•
add controls like scaleline, mouseposition

These pages are related to the OSM-plugin:

•
Download @ WordPress.org : http://WordPress.org/extend/plugins/osm/
•
Plugin @ Fotomobil.at: http://www.Fotomobil.at/wp-osm-plugin/
•
Wiki @ OpenStreetMap.org: http://wiki.OpenStreetMap.org/wiki/Wp-osm-plugin
•
Author @ HanBlog.net: http://www.HanBlog.net

As you’ve probably heard the Ordnance Survey is going to open some data next week. We don’t exactly know what data or what license it will be under but there’s a reasonable chance it won’t be importable in to OSM because either the data will be low scale or released with an incompatible license.

If that’s the case then I propose we start, separate from OSM, an OpenOS project. I basically see it as either a clearinghouse for putting up converted formats for the data and/or a full OSM stack, mapnik, potlatch and all for editing and fixing it. Because as Russ Nelson keeps saying, datasets without a community are dead.

I propose that until we know it’s compatible, usable and so on in OSM that no OSM resources are spent/used on something like this. Thus, I’ve bought the domain openos.co.uk to host it and set up a google group which you’re welcome to join to help discuss what to do if/when we get some data.

I think this data will need a community, tools and editing and who better to build all that than people from OSM?

Thoughts?

http://groups.google.com/group/open-os
http://openos.co.uk