[OSM-newbies] lock_name or lock:name

Dave F. davefox at madasafish.com
Wed Sep 16 13:55:56 BST 2009


Hi again

Which should I use:
lock_name:
http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Key:lock
or
lock:name:
http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Tag:waterway%3Dcanal

Although I use lock as the example I guess it's a general question about 
the formatting of Keys.

I have to say it's this laxity that I find confusing & slightly irritating.

Yes, I know I shouldn't tag for the renderers, but if there is too much 
divergence then the renderers aren't going to bother.
They're will say "Why should I have to mop up after everybody, when they 
can't be bothered to do it themselves"
In many cases it appears that they haven't & I can't blame them.

Another similar case:
lock_ref
lock:ref
lock_number
lock:number

IMO number=* shouldn't be used because the lock references could be 1a, 
12upper etc.

Also on canals I've seen
waterway=lock.

Doesn't this break the routing of the canal?

shouldn't it be:
waterway=canal
name=Rochdale Canal
lock = yes
lock_name= The Up & Down

or even better, incorporate a relation?

Cheers
Dave F.








More information about the newbies mailing list