[OSM-newbies] Large Data Imports from websites like USGS

[Mike N]

Welcome to OSM!

On 2/27/2012 9:16 PM, Evan wrote:
> I was wondering how you would import large areas of data like has
 > been done in New Jersey and Georgia (U.S.) instead of doing it
 > manually using tags like natural=wood, landuse=farmland, etc.

  There is a way to do this, but the general feeling in OSM is that such 
imports hurt the community and in the end degrade the final OSM product:

   - No OSM editors handle Landuse polygons gracefully.  They end up 
cluttering the editing experience, greatly confusing new users and make 
future map edits very tedious for everyone.
   - There is no procedure developed that would update OSM landuse 
polygons from future USGS updates.  For any polygon which has been 
touched by hand: was it based on a survey and current local knowledge, 
or an accidental edit?

   By contrast, keeping landuse data separately but merging it with OSM 
data at render time would allow future updates from the source to be 
immediately applied.

   One type of import that seems to be partially successful is point 
address data from public domain sources.   It is easier to check for and 
manage conflicts than polygon data.   In the US, NHD hydro data has been 
brought into some areas.  The methods are evolving to maximize the 
quality on first imports - proceed with caution and check with the 
mailing lists before bringing in any data.