[OSM-newbies] Nodes v. Ways when adding amenities

[Dave F.]

On 09/05/2013 11:42, Tac Tacelosky wrote:
> I'm about to add a few shops in a shopping center.  Is it better to 
> add them as ways so that the renderer has some idea about the 
> footprint and relative size?  Or as nodes, which seems to be the more 
> common approach?
>
> The tiny nail salon is right next to a large supermarket, and the gas 
> station on the corner is in between those two as far as size, while I 
> can't do an exact outline, I can draw a box to indicate relative sizes.
>
> Are both approaches correct, or is one way better?

Both are correct. It depends on you really; whether you have the time or 
patience to draw a full outline or simply add a node. Many areas now 
have fairly accurate aerial imagery that can be traced. As renderers are 
allowing greater zoom levels I've been upgrading POI's to polygon areas. 
A problem you may run into however is multi-storey shopping centres. 
There's never been a satisfactory way to map/render these as area & you 
may want to keep them as POI's.

Dave F.