[OSM-dev] USGS fork of OpenStreetMap

[Andy Allan]

On Thu, Jul 22, 2010 at 5:27 PM, Eric Wolf <ebwolf at gmail.com> wrote:
> Folks,
> An initial project has started at the USGS to explore using the OSM stack to
> facilitate our data integration and, eventually, involve more user generated
> content (i.e., give a home to The National Map Corps). The project is
> currently titled the OpenStreetMap Collaborative Prototype (OSMCP).

Hi Eric,

I just wanted to comment on your terminology - you aren't really
creating a "fork" of the OpenStreetMap project. There are now a
multitude of projects that use the OpenStreetMap software tools and/or
methodologies to achieve different mapping goals, often without
touching any mapping data from the OSM project. For example, I do
contract work for a private company using the stack with their
proprietary data, where their "contributors" are all employees.

So it's a plea really - choose a name for your project that's not
going to confuse people! It's fine to use all the software and at the
same time not call it the "OpenStreetMap something or other". Maybe
the "USGS Collaborative Prototype" would cause less confusion?

Cheers,
Andy