[OSM-newbies] Adjacent areas

[Dave F.]

On 23/08/2011 06:09, Steve Bennett wrote:
> On Thu, Aug 18, 2011 at 9:14 PM, Donald Campbell II
> <donaciano2000 at gmail.com>  wrote:
>> I'm wondering what the proper way to create an adjacent area is.  For
>> example here there's a prison that takes up a full city block.  Does one
>> draw a square using the same 4 existing nodes from the intersections around
>> it?  Or should one zoom in and put 4 new nodes close to the existing ones?
>> I do most of my editing in JOSM but can also use Potlatch when the need
>> arises.
> As you can see from the replies below, everyone is certain that their
> way is right and the only way. :)

Err... The OP asked for opinion & advice, which was given.
All but one of the repliers agree on the correct way to map.


> IMHO, both are ok. Both have advantages. Also IMHO some of the
> reasoning against reusing nodes is flawed: sharing a node doesn't mean
> the prison goes all the way to the middle of the road (any more than a
> way indicates a road has zero width).

Yes it does. As I said before, when the prison shares the road centre 
line & you put a barrier tag on the perimeter to indicate the entrance 
gate, it means the road also has the gate. This messes up all routing 
software.
> Life in OSM is complicated. Many alternative mapping methods and
> tagging schemes coexist. Beware of anyone who tells you that you must
> do it their way :)

This is the newbie list. That comment isn't helpful.

> Best practice is to get in touch with your local
> mapping community and map the way they do.

This is poor advice. The query is universal - roads & buildings are laid 
out the same around the world. This forum is the correct place to come & 
ask for clarification so that all users can learn.

Cheers
Dave F.