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<div class="moz-cite-prefix">Am 05.02.2013 08:15, schrieb Clifford
Snow:<br>
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<div class="gmail_extra">Third parties bring unique value to
OSM. However, is it inconceivable that we might be able to
offer something more than just a database?
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For example funded Software development has been done by
companies like<br>
CloudMade, MapQuest on a company budget, or Mapbox that
applied for external<br>
funding through the Knight foundation to develop
OpenStreetMap software like<br>
e.g. the iD editor.<br>
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<div style="">This is great until these companies decide
that they want us to map according to their rules. If
they are building the tools then we have lost the ability
to set our directions. Now from what I've seen of the iD
editor it's great. The point I'm trying to stress is that
we should set our own path, not let others set it for us.
We could still encourage others to build tools, but with
the understanding of where we are headed.</div>
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But who is "we" here? Who should decide how to "set our own path"?
All registered mappers? The OSMF board? Registered users? Active
Mappers? What are active mappers? Coders? Active coders? Wiki
editors? Every of any of the mentioned groups who is able to read,
speak AND write English language?<br>
Whatever you choose as a "definition" for "we" here, it's very
likely that it's not better than what we have now: Everybody who
want's to decide AND DO.<br>
Sure: that may be companies, and yes, it may have a bad taste that
companies influence how stuff is done in the "osm universe", but on
the other hand you could say the same about the JOSM or Potlatch
maintainers, who influence mapping practice a lot by deciding about
tagging templates and the like.<br>
I think it's good that everyone, even a company, is able to use osm
data as well as to provide their users means to contribute back - by
providing "open-in-osm-editor"-links as well as by implementing
their own editing functionality (as long as it's done right).<br>
<br>
If you want "us" to "set our own path", I have to ask, what differs
a "better" "us" from the people currently setting up our path - many
volunteers coding JOSM, Potlatch and iD (even sponsored by
Mapbox/Knight Foundation as far as I know the iD dev people talk to
and receive contributions by non-paid volunteers).<br>
<br>
regards<br>
Peter<br>
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