In this blog I will talk about what data we are using, how we are processing the data, then importing it into OSM. Some things are not considered imports at all since they’re more of a stare and compare, but I will cover them as well since we are using data others collected and have made available to us for use in OSM. Even analyzing data that is already in OSM to improve data quality. All that and more! :-)

First off, I understand many people do not like using others’ data for OSM for a couple of different reasons.

1. The data could be low quality. I once talked to a mapper when I saw that they removed an imported move theater from the middle of a corn field, due to someone blind importing. …Ouch!

2. Imports require a lot of technical knowledge of OSM and that excludes a lot of mappers.

3. Making sure the data is not copyrighted in a way that prevents it from being used in OSM. (I’ll touch on that in another post) There might be more, but these are the ones that I have heard so far.

In this blog I hope to address these concerns by demonstrating how we can set things up in a community-oriented way that streamlines the process and also keeps quality high. We have so many tools to at our disposal that I keep stumbling across them and finding new ways to use them for different projects! I hope to gain working knowledge and demonstrate how they can all work.

Also, I will be talking about how I got access to data for our local area and tips on how you might be able to do the same. That can be half the battle!

So far using data from other sources has enabled our small local community to begin to get the map to the point in our area where it is becoming a more preferable map to more and more people, which we have seen is starting to drive interest from prospective new mappers. As I have seen there are a lot more people who are willing to add to a map that already basically meets their needs than are willing to get the map to the point where it would be useful to them. I have even seen this among people who understand the value of open source and want a map that they can use without being tracked, but just don’t have the time or inclination to become mappers themselves. If I cannot get these kinds of people on board that makes me nervous!

So, all that being said, I think getting and working with data is the answer. I do not think we will, or should ever stop in-person mapping or armchair mapping. But in a place where there is a small mapping community getting organized and using, not repeating work that has already been done by others will make OSM the best it can be.

Also by aggregating data from more and more places we will ensure OSM is the standard for Geo-Spatial data. I would like to see companies and governments in our area be invested into OSM as a platform.

I am in upstate South Carolina, USA so everything I do will be with our area, and I doubt that will change as I understand that other places do things differently and I really am only an expert on where I live. But I hope you can use, adapt, improve and get inspired on how to improve the map in your area.

Because hey that’s what open source is all about: sharing ideas.