[Osmf-talk] Alternative Strategic Plan

[Mike Thompson]

On Sat, May 13, 2023 at 11:37 AM Steve Coast <steve at stevecoast.com> wrote:

>
>
> Do we want to complete the map or not? That’s the question. If we do, then
> we can do so with a plan like this.
>
I support Steve's idea that we should focus on the map.

I would take it a step further and say that we want to produce a quality
map, and part of quality is completeness of features.  Quality also
includes:
* Positional accuracy
* Accuracy of tagging
* Tagging that conforms to generally accepted standards within OSM (not an
exact thing, but I think most of us could agree on a core set of tags).
* Completeness of tagging.
* Temporal accuracy (how recently was the data last reviewed)

If we are going to produce a quality map, we need to have some idea of how
close, or far away, from that goal we are.  As such we need more
statistically robust studies of the quality of the map, and how it varies
from place to place.  Once we have that, we can  take steps to address weak
areas (both geographic areas, and areas of data shortfall).

The types of information in OSM is constantly expanding, and while that is
very a good thing, we probably can't assess the accuracy of all feature
types and all tags, but we could start with a core set.

Once we know the short fall, we can estimate the number of "active
mappers"  we need to close the gap.  We can't know of sure, but we should
be able to get a general idea[0].  I am guessing that it is a lot more than
we have currently.  How are we going to recruit, mentor, train, and retain
all of the necessary mappers?

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fermi_problem
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