Critics of OpenStreetMap have in the past used various arguments for why they believe the project can never be a success. Often quoted is the concern about data accuracy and completeness and another is about how changes in our world are noted and managed. Well it’s clear we needn’t worry too much as some great work by OSM contributor Dair Grant clearly shows.

Dair made a comprehensive and detailed comparison of his completed map for Haywards Heath, Sussex with that of the TeleAtlas derived Google Map and found 89 apparent differences, that’s an astounding number for a small town.

SOTM 2008 – Call for venues

July 12th-13th, 2008. Put that date in your diaries for next year’s State of the Map conference. The location? Well, that’s where you can help.

The OSMF has not yet settled on a location. It doesn’t have to be in the UK again – but it could be. It doesn’t have to be ‘terra incognita’ for OSM (not much mapping was done at Manchester) – but, again, it could be. But here’s what it does need to have:

Enthusiastic local OSMers who can help organise it, and who have good contacts with potential venue. Manchester worked so well because there were people on the ground prepared to put the hours in.

Good transport links. We want to encourage at least as good a turn- out as this year, hopefully better.

A site equally suitable for learning, discussing and socialising.

A technology-aware venue – obviously, we need projectors, Internet connectivity, etc.

Like everything else in OSM, this is a call for volunteers – but the OpenStreetMap Foundation will, of course, pay reasonable expenses involved in arranging the venue. If you’re prepared to help OSM by putting the time in, you won’t be out of pocket.

SOTM 2008 on the OSM wiki | SOTM 2007 website

SOTM 2007 was a huge success. Let’s make 2008 better still.

SOTM 2007, Manchester, UK

Demise of the humble segment

Its official. As of Sunday 7th Oct 2007 the OpenStreetMap segment is 410 Gone. It had a brief and at times difficult life sandwiched between nodes and overshadowed by ways. But shall we miss it? I think not. For the uninitiated, OSM moved to the new 0.5 server code at the weekend thanks to the hard work done by Frederik, Gabriel, TomH and others. The data model now consists only of the node and way plus the new Relationships (relation), which offers a whole new data creation experience. The majority of the OSM platform tools have been migrated to support the API v0.5, which is not backwards compatible with v0.4 tools. Both potlatch and JOSM work with the changes although for JOSM you will need to download the latest version.

Animations from Leeds

Check out Tim Waters (chippy) animations of GPS traces during the recent Leeds mapping party:

SitesCollide podcast

Here is a podcast with Raphael about OSM.

Victoria, BC. Mapping Party Day One

By the end of the first day of mapping in Victoria, Canada, we’ve covered a fair swath of the city:

There’s more to come tomorrow, and Monday, so come along and join in the mapping fun.

Mapping Parties, Demos Talks – Its all happening in Victoria, Canada

by Nick Black

OpenStreetMap is coming to Victoria, Canada. There’s going to be a load of OSM related activities in the city that boasts Canada’s mildest winter temperatures.

OpenStreetMap Mapping Party	Sat 22nd – Mon 24th September
OSM mapping around the conference area	Monday 24th September
OSM talk at FOSS4G	Tuesday 25th September
OSM demo session	Wednesday 26th September
Post FOSS4G Code Sprint	Friday 28th September

So if you are in the area, come along and join in the mapping fun. The usual stuff applies – its open to anyone, we have GPS units, its fun, sign up here