[OSM-newbies] Fwd: OSM

[Alan Mintz]

At 2010-03-11 16:45, James Ewen wrote:
>On Thu, Mar 11, 2010 at 10:49 AM, Alan Mintz
><Alan_Mintz+OSM at earthlink.net> wrote:
>
> > How about a standard headstone shape (semi-circle on top of a rectangle,
> > e.g. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Betjeman_memorial.JPG)? This seems
> > pan-cultural.
>
>But what happens when people who don't use headstones complain? The
>local graveyards around here do not allow standing memorials anymore,
>you're only allowed to have a flat plaque, which makes it easier to
>mow the grass...

I don't understand what their complaint would be. It's simply supposed to 
be an understandable symbol. I believe that most people, most places, would 
understand what it is supposed to mean. It's not supposed to be a picture 
of exactly what one finds on a specific grave.


>The Osmarender engine uses the generic headstone shape, but it is
>almost impossible to determine what the icon is supposed to represent.

That complaint I understand. Maybe it needs to be redrawn.


>No matter what we end up doing, someone will find a reason to object.
>It's a never ending battle to try and make something that is
>everything to everyone.

That's not a good reason to do nothing, which is what usually ends up 
happening. So many of these conversations deteriorate into nit-picking or 
go flying off into discussions of particle physics - it's incredibly 
frustrating and ultimately bad for everyone, since there is never an easy, 
concrete answer for anything. Newbies that just want to map their town end 
up going elsewhere.

--
Alan Mintz <Alan_Mintz+OSM at Earthlink.net>