[Legal-general] Proposal For OSMPD Data Repository Folder Structure

[Sunburned Surveyor]

I've attached a zip file with a proposed OSMPD data repository folder
structure. This is only an idea of what we could do. I know there will
be lots of other ideas on how we could set something up, or
modifications of my proposal. I just want to help move things forward
with a productive discusssion. :]

Here is a brief explanation of how the folder structure is designed:

The top level of the repository is divided into folders that represent
areas of the globe that cover 1/4 a degree of longitude. So, for
example, the folder W-119-00 contains all of the data between the west
longitude of 119-00-00 and 119-15-00. Each of these longitude folders
contains subfolders that cover 1/4 a degree of latitude within the
strip of longitude covered in the parent folder. In this way the globe
is divided into a grid of 1/4 degree "cells".

Each cell has the following subfolders:

gpx_files
history
metadata
osm_files
supplemental_data
   raster
   vector
photos

The "gpx_files" folder will contain raw GPS data in GPX format.
The "history" folder can contain versioning information and/or
information on additions and changes to the data in the cell.
The "metadata" folder can contain metadata files for the data in the cell.
The "osm_files" folder will contain OSM files produced from the GPX files.
The "supplemental_data" folder can contain other PD data that can
assist in the mapping efforts. In the United States this would likely
include USGS quad maps and TIGER shapefiles, but it might also contain
public domain data from other sources. In different places of the
world other types of public domain data might be stored here.
The "photos" folder would contain digital pictures of the features
that had been/were being mapped in the cell.

I think only the "Gpx_files" and "osm_files" folders would be required
to contain data. The other folders would be for the optional use of
those working together on data within a "cell". Perhaps, over time,
individual working within the same region could agree on a basic
structure for these optional folders and there contents. The content
and structure of these cells would vary by region. A naming convention
for photos might also be helpful, and I can see having a standard
format for a simple text file with photo descriptions.

It would be possible to write simple tools to work with this type of
folder structure. For example: I could write a plug-in for OpenJUMP
that would do the following:

- Allow the user to input latitude/longitude coordinates for an area
of interest.
- Merge the OSM or GPS files in the zones that cover this area into
single files for the area of interest.
- Load and display these files in the map view on OpenJUMP.

I still think it would be a good idea to appoint volunteer "Cell
Coordinators" that could over see the contents of each cell folder and
help coordinate mapping efforts within the cell. I believe this would
help improve the quality and organization of the OSMPD data
repository.

I am eager to get some type of folder structure determined and put
online so I can have a place to put my data.

OK. Now you can tear my proposal apart! :]


The Sunburned Surveyor

P.S. - To view the complete folder structure in the attached zip file
you need to click on the W-121-00 longitude folder and then the
N-37-00 latitude folder. This folder is the one that covers my home
town.
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