[Osmf-talk] Hosting OpenStreetMap source repositories on free software platforms

[Jiri Vlasak]

On Tue, Apr 23, 2024 at 10:50:02AM +0100, Richard Fairhurst wrote:
> But we are here to create open mapping data, and we should do whatever
> maximises our ability to "create and distribute free geographic data
> for the world".

This one particularly resonates with me. I agree. It's true. And I want
to ask -- what is your motivation to create free geographic data?

I think about OpenStreetMap from three perspectives: open map data,
tools to create and use it, and the communication channels.

Open map data clearly are free and due to ODbL more similar to free
software than open source. OSM community do a great job fighting for
the "free geographic data for the world".

Tools used for OpenStreetMap are usually free software. Like JOSM. Not
sure/remember what is the backend database of OSM, but I bet it's free
software. There are also some open source tools like iD. I think that iD
and Rapid are nice examples of what usually happens with interesting
open source projects.

The last is the communication channels and the communication between the
developers is one channel for the communication. OSM community is bad at
keeping the communication channels open. I don't mean OSMF! I mean HOT
and Slack or Missing Maps and Trello. "The ends justify the means"
always comes to my mind.

However, I believe this is the responsibility of leaders -- those, who
maintain the tools or organizing communities. From my point of view,
they tend to do wrong decisions. Maybe because they don't spend time on
research, maybe because they don't care, maybe because they just want
something quickly.

I believe that the role of the OSMF does not need to be the provider of
the communication channels, but the OSMF should clearly communicate to
the leaders what channels they should use and why.

jiri