[OSM-newbies] OSM Rendered Data as a Web Service or similar

[Richard Fairhurst]

Stuart wrote:

> I'd like to use OSM Rendered data for various web mapping projects.   
> I've looked at the API but this seems to deal only with the   
> underlying Vector data. Can I create an application where the   
> rendered map appears with some controls to zoom pan etc and then to   
> add other layers of my own on top (from e.g. PostGIS). I'm thinking   
> of something like the Google Maps API.

Have a look at
http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/index.php/Deploying_your_own_Slippy_Map

...and when/if you get it working, do come back and update the wiki  
page to make it clearer.

We use the OpenLayers JavaScript library which is pretty powerful. You  
can also choose to go via Mapstraction, which provides a uniform API  
for most of the major mapping providers.

As Andy says, we're not primarily a tile-hosting factory as yet, but  
no-one's going to object until your site attracts 8bn visitors per day.

cheers
Richard