[HOT] Northern Uganda Tracing Exercise / Sprint

[Sam Larsen]

Robert,

I just logged in to the task to see if I could complete a sneaky task on the Gulu Job in my lunch break.
The task worked well, and loaded the data and imagery via remote control from my browser - my best experience yet of a user-friendly workflow in the tasking manager :)  Good job HOTties.
After looking at the imagery i went to have a look at the workflow instructions and was a bit disappointed to see that i had to trace ALL buildings.
I quickly did some rudimentary road network edits, unlocked my task and went back to my day job without completing my task :(

Some feedback:
DISCLAIMER: this my opinion of how Jobs should be configured - as with most things in OSM, my opinion is one of many and will undoubtedly be rebutted by another mapper.

Tracing all buildings is a HUGE amount of work which could take over an hour to complete a single task.
I would suggest running these jobs in two phases:
1) Create a job for just collecting all roads and residential landuse polygons.  This is much faster for editors (they achieve smaller, more frequent 'wins').  This will mean the task is completed faster and you have a good indicatory map showing the outline of residential areas (or 'where people live') which is what this task is really all about.
2) Then when that is complete (or before), create a new task for just buildings covering the same area.  But maybe use smaller grid squares.

OSM is all about mappers.  If they get lethargic, bored or feel like the mapping task in front of them is too huge there is a higher chance that they will switch off.  
If you give them smaller tasks which they can complete faster they can see their progress and will more frequently go back to the job page on the tasking manager to see their contributions added on the map and watch the graphs rise.  Personally, this kind of feedback makes me eager to take on another task - i.e. when i can see that there are others helping towards the same goal.  It also gives them the chance to take a break and grab a tea or coffee or to just look away from JOSM for a few minutes (sometimes i get JOSM eyes ;).  

Alternatively, all of the above can be achieved by making smaller task grid squares.

We have seen some Tasking Manager jobs go stale after a while for various reasons, but some of the reasons can surely be attributed to the configuration of the task and the daunting prospect of knowing that you have at least two more hours until you can walk away.  Task graphs go up really slow  - it just makes the whole Job seem bigger and more unattainable. It also means people can't complete a task on their lunch break :(

Having said all this - these jobs are some of the best publicised and will probably draw in a lot of mappers this weekend.  If the number of mappers is large enough - then all that i have said is redundant and you can ignore it.

I'll be tuning in remotely on Sunday and will complete at least a single task no matter how long it takes ;)

Sam Larsen






>________________________________
> From: "Banick, Robert" <Robert.Banick at redcross.org>
>To: "hot at openstreetmap.org" <hot at openstreetmap.org> 
>Sent: Tuesday, 14 August 2012, 17:26
>Subject: [HOT] Northern Uganda Tracing Exercise / Sprint
> 
>
> 
>Hi All,
> 
>The American and Ugandan Red Cross have teamed up with the State Department’s Humanitarian Information Unit and HOT OSM to trace the cities of Gulu and Lira in Northern Uganda using recent high-resolution satellite imagery. We invite and encourage all HOT members / followers / fans to join in and help us trace these rapidly expanding cities which are rebuilding after years of conflict. 
> 
>We’ll be using the resulting maps to conduct on-the-ground trainings for Ugandan Red Cross staff and volunteers, including trainings in how to use and contribute to Open Street Map. Those trainigs will be put to use preventing traffic accidents and responding to the frequent house fires which plague the area. 
> 
>For those of you in the DC area, we’ll be hosting a Mapping Party at the American Red Cross’s International Response Operations Center this Sunday afternoon. Mikel Maron will be following up with details. If time and resources permit, we’d love to webcast the party and invite others, particularly Ugandans, to join. Stay tuned!
> 
>For more details, read into the tasks at the below addresses. We’ve included a Visual Tracing Guide to help tracers know which tags to apply to which types of buidlings/roads/areas.
> 
>Gulu task: http://tasks.hotosm.org/job/48
> 
>Lira task: http://tasks.hotosm.org/job/49
> 
>This is our first time using mapping and Open Street Map in a big way for disaster preparedness and we’d love for it to be a success. Any and all help is extremely appreciated – after all, the Red Cross runs on volunteerism.
> 
>Best,
>Robert
> 
>Robert Banick| GIS Coordinator | International Services | ÌAmerican Red Cross
>2025 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20006
>Tel 202-303-5017 | Cell 404-964-3451 | Fax 202-303—052 | Skype robert.banick
> 
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