[Osmf-talk] Directed Editing Policy

[Christoph Hormann]

On Thursday 23 November 2017, Tim Elrick wrote:
> [...] I understand that many of the long-standing
> OSM members are concerned about new mappers (involuntary) entering
> data not according to the OSM standards.

Actually i don't think many are concerned with that - of course there 
are territorial mappers who object to newcomers intruding 'on their 
turf' but that it the exception and not an attitude that should be 
supported.  The policy does not try to regulate new mappers in any 
way - unless of course they start off as part of a directed mapping 
effort.

>
> However, I am bit concerned about the policy not differentiating
> enough between paid and voluntary mapping groups. I think, the OSM
> community needs especially the latter to nurture a steady flow of new
> crazy, uber or epic mappers.

I would like to point to a comment i made on the talk ML yesterday 
explaining that showing how to map and explaining how OSM works to 
newcomers is quite clearly not covered by the policy:

https://lists.openstreetmap.org/pipermail/talk/2017-November/079695.html

If a formal distinction should be made based on economic factors (paid 
vs. voluntary) is a tricky question.  The problem is these days there 
are fairly viable options  with sufficient money and ressources to 
organize and motivate volunteers in large numbers without acutally 
paying them (which would make them non-volunteers obviously).  The 
factors influencing the need for regulation are not really that 
strictly connected to if the directees receive material compensation or 
not.  

By the way it would be interesting to know (though very difficult to 
determine) if new mappers starting with individual, non-organized 
mapping have a higher likeliness to become 'hooked' and keep mapping 
than mappers who come in contact with OSM through directed mapping 
efforts.  My gut feeling says that if you come and get started out of 
your own interest you are more likely to stay long term than if you are 
recruited by an organized project.  But this could be a wrong 
impression.

-- 
Christoph Hormann
http://www.imagico.de/