[OSM-newbies] Problem with latest JOSM

[Craig Wallace]

On 27/12/2009 22:26, Richard Moss wrote:
> Hi
>
> I've only been at this for three months, and I recently downloaded
> version 2561 of JOSM, updating the earlier current version.
>
> Ever since the update, the scale of the main map display on screen is
> distorted, with distances in the vertical y-axis direction seeming to be
> about two-thirds (I'm guessing) of distances in the horizontal x-axis
> direction. So the y-axis appears squashed relative to the x-axis.
>
> I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling JOSM and Java, but that
> hasn't corrected the problem.
>
> I also installed Java and JOSM 2561 onto another similar machine which
> didn't have it installed before, and the screen appears fine on that
> one. Both are operating Windows XP Home.
>
> The distorted version is not unusable, but it's a bit of a pain to look
> at. Any suggestions how to correct the problem will be welcome!

Check what map projection you are using: on Edit -> Preferences, then 
map settings (third icon down).

If its set to WGS84 (which seems to be default in some versions of 
JOSM), it will make the map look squashed out of shape.
Set it to Mercator instead, and the map should look correct.

Craig