[OSM-newbies] Data Source

[SomeoneElse]

On 15/06/2011 20:54, ael wrote:
> ... My assumption
> when I joined was that all mapping was assumed to be from some form
> of personal survey, usually gps, unless indicated otherwise. When I noticed the
> source tag, I assumed that its primary use was to acknowledge some
> 3rd party, but legal, source. It seemed silly and redundant to
> add an extra tag for gps survey which I took to be the default.
>
> Surely I am not the only one who interpreted things this way?
> So far as I recall, when I looked at other people's contributions
> in my area, I seldom saw a source tag. That reinforced my assumption.

No, you're not alone; I made exactly the same assumption - until I 
noticed that some other people seemed to be assuming the opposite - that 
"no source" implied traced and "source" implied surveyed.  Its been said 
before (by Dr Liz and quite possibly by others previously) - for the 
avoidance of doubt it makes sense to note the sources of any contributions.