[Talk-GB] Rossendale Way

[Brian]

I have been following this discussion with interest because I share many of the concerns expressed by Mark. I too am frustrated by the lack of mobile apps that display the information useful to walkers. As a contributor I know the wealth of detailed information available in the map database that is unavailable to most end users. Most of the mobile apps are dismal in terms of the display offered for walkers and I am embarrassed to say I use the OS Maps app much of the time because I can easily identify PRoWs and Access land.

There are some attempts, for example Philip Endecott’s UK Map. I have exchanged emails on the subject with him and now better understand why it is such a difficult problem. Andy’s map is a lot better than the OpenStreetMap Carto, but unfortunately a web site requires constant online signal and doesn’t provide the functionality for recording tracks and following routes. OsmAnd shows a lot of promise, I use it quite a lot, but always in combination with the OS Maps app for the PRoW information. I made a start at investigating how to modify the OsmAnd style sheet but it was far to complicated for me to pursue.

My programming skills are now very old and rusty and I know nothing about creating modern mobile apps, but I would like to contribute whatever I can to try to improve the offering made available for walkers & hikers. Perhaps the quickest/easiest solution would be to produce a specific walker’s style sheet for OsmAnd. If there is anyone else interested and who can teach/mentor me I an willing to have a go as part of a project team.

This discussion has been a real education for me in understanding what OpenStreetMap is about and the relationships between the mappers, the map and the users which I had been unable to grasp before.

Brian