Currently there’s only 3 big players when it comes to maps. You’ve got Google, Apple and Microsoft.
Let’s try to make OpenStreetMap the best map there is. Go grab StreetComplete and start mapping your surroundings when you’re out and about.
All the data is under a public license and managed by a non-profit foundation in the UK.
It’s very easy to get started, and quite addictive.
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In my opinion, depending on the exact location, OSM is already much better than other map providers. But continuing to improve it obviously is still a great idea.
Yep. I’ve been mapping for OSM since back in 2007. When I started, there were a few Autobahnen and major roads and the rest of my area was a white, empty triangle, 50km in every direction. Now I’m mapping wastebaskets and surfaces and width of residential streets. Not that I’m complaining. OSM is the most usable map material for anything related to hiking, biking and walking places, at least here.
Not so great for driving though, because no major navigation app based on OSM uses crowd sourced movement data - hence, no traffic jam prediction. Still need Google Maps for that.
At least https://abetterrouteplanner.com/ seems to be using OSM data, but while their charging planning is excellent, the traffic predictions are unusable. Works well for long distance travel, really does, but when I’m close to an urban center I always switch to Google Maps.
Magic earth does traffic. Linked in another post. Not open source, but at least it’s European.
I really want OpenStreetMap to allow us to run an app that gives them GPS data so we can get some open traffic data. I’m using Waze for that, but Google bought them too.
That’s MagicEarth. It’s not open source, but it is based on Openstreetmap data and it has traffic and obstacles in it, as reported by other users. The company is also based in the EU.
The point of this would be that it would be an open data platform. What’s the point of me giving this data to another closed ecosystem?
There should be something for grabbing store information too. Like phone numbers, websites and open hours
Open hours is a task in StreetComplete, so that’s covered. For additional metadata you’d probably have to use something like OrganicMaps and be logged in there. It’s quite possible to add the data if you want to, even without going to the computer and doing it from there.
Just noting that while Organic Maps does allow a pretty good level of editing, it’s not a feature complete map editor. There are many others apps/sites that are purpose-built for editing if you need more functionality. i personally use Vespucci on Android.
