[OSM-talk-be] STUK Leuven & Some idea's

[Jo]

François Cauwe wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I'm already a mapper for a while (I'm mapping parts of
> zuid-oost-vlaanderen, train lines, tram lines and everywhere new I
> drive/walk) and I just discovered the mailing list. 
>
>
> I would like to join in Leuven for the talk at STUK on 24/01.
>
> Like Mark mentioned we had some brainstorm sessions about OSM and how to
> enlarge the Belgium OSM community. 
> One of the current idea was something like:
>  * find money for some gps-dataloggers (done?)
>  * Organise a event in a central place like brussels (I know it has
> yahoo images) to explain OSM, to give a demo, let people try and give
> lend a data logger to these people for a certain period. They stay
> responsible for it but they are encouraged to share it with friends.
> (The idea: Most people don't want to buy a GPS data logger, but they are
> willing to map their environment. When your environment is done you
> won't use a datalogger so often more, and you should give it to
> friends.)
>  * Advertise this event in a wide base of possible interested people
> that have time to map. The aim is mainly non tech people. 
>  * Make some noise in different intrest groups about OSM.  
>
> What do you think of this?
>   
Hello François,

The date is not firmly set on the 24th yet. Your ideas sound very good. 
At this point in time, I'm not looking to expand the user base yet. I 
would like to start getting to know the people that are already 
involved. Then, after, say February I would like to start organizing 
events to attract new contributers.

I'm probably not the average OSM'er. I bought an IPAQ with integrated 
GPS almost especially for OSM. OK, for a few years I was considering to 
buy an organizer, but it was OSM that actually made me do it. Then I 
bought an extra data logger, because sometimes the battery of the IPAQ 
was empty or the external antenna was not plugged in correctly and I 
felt I needed a backup. Now I'm considering to buy another data logger 
that has EGNOS capabilities for better precision. On top of that I want 
an emergency battery, so I can recharge in the field. And when I'm 
logging in the bus, I think a real keyboard connected over Bluetooth 
would be interesting. So expect me in Mechelen with a lot of 'kit' :-).

Yesterday I discovered BSGPS and installed it on the portable. Made a 
connection to the data logger/GPS mouse and found this would be great to 
use for mapping in the field as well. If only the portable weren't so 
heavy... It enables seeing what has already been mapped with a live 
connection to the GPS, so the map follows where one goes. At first I 
wasn't considering to bring the laptop. Now I might bring it after all.

Another thing I've been considering to buy for a few years now, is a 
Brompton. A bicycle that can become a package that can be taken on the 
bus. 900 euros is too much, but now I found a shop in Aarschot where 
there are such bicycles between 140 and 200 euros. I'll probably go 
check that out this Saturday...


I think with spring around the corner we can really get an OSM movement 
going here in Belgium as well. What I do now, when I go for a walk or 
when people notice me taking pictures of street signs, is hand out a 
little card explaining what I'm doing and why. It's small scale and I 
have no idea whether it works.

Expect many more mapping parties after Mechelen and those will be 
announced for a much larger public. I think it should be possible to 
interest people in walking federations and maybe cyclotourists. At least 
to provide traces. I don't think cyclotourists would be willing to stop 
every 50m to make pictures...

Polyglot