[OSM-dev] Newbie openstreetmap developer on the "Essen Developers Workshop"?

[Ulf Lamping]

Hi List!

While I'm a software developer for more than 10 years now, I'm really a 
newbie to openstreetmap. As I've focused (at least a bit) on usability 
on the open source project I'm working on for years now  
(http://www.wireshark.org), I might be able to give you some valuable 
hints for openstreetmap.

However, reading the notes at: 
http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/index.php/Essen_Developers_Workshop/Topics, 
I get a bit of a feeling that the discussions mentioned will be just for 
"insiders only".

Some pros and cons that I'll see for me to attend the meeting:

Pros:
- "fresh view" from an "outsider"
- "usability focus" - what newbies will stumble over - web page, wiki, 
josm, ... I'll prepare a short presentation what I've stumbled over 
getting started with openstreetmap
- JOSM Win32 installer - I'm currently working on it, a prototype should 
be ready until the meeting. Might need further discussion / work.

Cons:
- I'll probably understand less, as the terms used are uncommon to me
- "dumb questions/proposals" from a newbie, that are probably discussed 
on the lists already years ago ...

Please express your opinion if I will be welcome or misplaced at the 
meeting (as it maybe an insider meeting only), so I should avoid the 
effort ...

Regards, ULFL