[OSM-dev] Google Map Maker

[Sjors Provoost]

Finally some concrete information about Google's Map Maker strategy.

"Google Signs Five Year Map Agreement with Tele Atlas":
http://www.gisdevelopment.net/news/viewn.asp?id=GIS:N_batyqsincw

That definitely blows my best-case scenario out of the water, but in
an ironic way I think it is still a good development. It provides us
with something real to compete against. That makes it easier to
identify weak spots and increases motivation to work on them.

Because contrary to Google, OpenStreetMap does not chronically depend
on add revenue, it has three strategic advantages:
1 - it can give anyone access to all data, in any format
2 - it can distribute hosting and serving of this data (Tiles at home is
a good example)
3 - it can collaborate with as many partners as it wants (I don't
think Google can easily expand its Tele Altas deal to other map
providers.)

But it is not enough to just tell people how good it is that their
data is free (Freedom v.s. beer); we have to prove it!

So I'll get back to work now and help with that :-)

Sjors