[OSM-newbies] Experiments in mapping new buildings

[Tom Taylor]

I've tried a couple of ways to survey in new buildings with my GPS. 
Obviously, just walking around the outside won't work because of 
reflections and obscuring of satellites. So first I tried sighting along 
each edge while walking toward or away from the building and keeping a 
track. Results were mediocre because the error was a bit high in spots.

I've gotten more satisfactory results by sighting along each edge and 
collecting a single averaged waypoint on each side of the building to 
let me draw a line. This takes a while -- eight points just for a 
rectangular building. Cold work at -15 C. (5 degrees F.), I must say. At 
the end of it, I know the estimated error at each point, and the results 
seem satisfactory when I draw them out.

Maybe obvious, but for me it was lesson learned.

TomT5454