[Talk-ca] GeoBase and OpenStreetMap

[Matt Wilkie]

Dave Hansen wrote:
> The basic reason is that we need to be able to edit it.  We can't
> simply put data back into GeoBase, so we need a copy on which to
> work.  Is there a way we even could get changes back to the "owners"
> of the data?

This is a key question and worth exploring in depth. An off the cuff 
answer is that sometimes the owners will accept changes and sometimes 
not. As Mike outlined earlier, Geobase is a collection of data from 
various entities and thus sending updates back upstream will work (or 
not) differently depending who the provider is.

Most of the data providers I work with are interested in feedback on 
their stuff (though sometimes it takes a fair bit of detective work to 
learn how to get that feedback to the right persons!). For OSM, I would 
probably start with the approach of learning who the closest to source 
provider is for data X, and submit "bug reports" and "patches" to them.

   Dear Office of Roads & Trails,
     I was recently biking 'Beaten Path' and discovered there is a
   washout at 131.32°W, 62.24°N, which looks a few years old, with
   a well travelled detour via 'Off The'. This was a bit of surprise
   as I was using your Hikes & Bikes Mapset and the half hour detour
   is not marked.
     The attached shapefile contains the detour captured with my
   XYZ GPS unit, with attributes and metadata conforming to your
   standards as seen on the Office of Roads & Trails ftp site.
     Sincerely,
	Oscar Steward Mapper

A few iterations of this kind may eventually lead to a formal update 
mechanism.

This paints a pretty rosy picture; there are generous and kindly people 
I know with GPS units whose data I would not accept as their enthusiasm 
outstrips their skill. Some filtering and verification is needed, but 
I'm confident that can be addressed if there is a will to do so.

cheers,

matt wilkie
--------------------------------------------
Geographic Information,
Information Management and Technology,
Yukon Department of Environment
10 Burns Road * Whitehorse, Yukon * Y1A 4Y9
867-667-8133 Tel * 867-393-7003 Fax
http://environmentyukon.gov.yk.ca/geomatics/
--------------------------------------------