[Accessibility] Confused about the whole blind osm process and things

[Lulu-Ann at gmx.de]

Hello Jerry!

I think your question is placed here very well.

Jerry, you wrote:
> I am blind, and I do have a Nokia N82, and I do have the
> latest Loadstone gps program.

That's a good start.
Just because I'm curious: Which screenreader do you use?

> I understand there's certain keywords
> that should be used for points of interest and things, but not sure
> how best to do it.

At the moment there is no description available how to collect POIs with loadstone GPS and transfer them to OpenStreetMap database.
Loadstone writes a "database" file in text format, which surely can be converted to OSM file format if exact naming of POIs is made sure.

But this naming is not invented yet, and even if it was, you could not simply upload the POIs, because maybe they are already in the map and then you have double entries.

We are working on a program called Lorodux (formerly Via-Dux, it was renamed because we don't want a name to similar to a registrated trademark). This software shall be able to tell you if a POI is there and let you change the position if unaccurate or let you add it if not in the map already.

> And not sure I understand why doing the gps track
> nmei log thing is needed. Is that to have the visual representation of
> the streets? Let's say, for example, I go to a grocery store, and I
> want it to be available for others on open streetmap. What should I do
> in that case? 

The GPS track is needed to add missing streets to OSM.
When you are using Loadstone GPS with the OpenStreetMap converter, you have imported street crossing information. If you encounter a street with crossings that are not in the imported data, probably one or all streets at that crossing are missing in OSM.
The OpenStreetMap converter(s) can be found on the loadstone homepage
http://www.loadstone-gps.com

If you want to help to add a missing street, go there, turn the GPS logging on, walk up the street on one side and down on the other. This is needed not only for the visual representable information, but also for the chain of coordinates.
Other than loadstone, future tools will also be able to guide you around curves, not only from crossing to crossing.
If the street is connected to others, walk some meters into all connected streets so the seeing kartographer knows there is a connection.

More about how to choose keywords and how to upload the track is written on 
http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/For_the_blind#I_am_blind_-_How_can_I_help_.3F__-_Project_blindOSM

If you get stuck, please ask again.

> If someone could please help me make this easier to
> understand the actual process, it would be much appreciated.

You are very welcome!

Will you tell us/me where you live?
I could have a glance at the map and tell you how complete it is in your area.

Maybe the two other blind mappers from India an Finland have more hints for you.

Best Regards
Lulu-Ann
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