[Talk-us] [Imports] Zipcode Import

[Frederik Ramm]

Hi,

Anthony wrote:
> No.  Zip codes do not represent geographic regions.  They should not be 
> in a the map data, but in a separate database.

If I may chime in from the other side of the pond. Here in Germany we 
have post codes as well (hear, hear) and they are, theoretically, an 
artifact used for mail delivery, just as I gather from some of your 
postings. Some post codes are used for PO Boxes exclusively, and 
entities with large mail volumes can even get their individual post code.

Still, the post codes are *commonly* used as a shortcut geo reference; 
it is a very popular way of doing e.g. a store finder on a web site - 
enter your post code and we'll show you the nearest store. Because of 
this, there is high demand for post codes to be available in OSM and I 
am certain that we will eventually either map or import them. (Not as 
administrative boundaries of course.) It is also not unusual to have 
choropleth maps built on top of post code areas, even though they suffer 
the same shortcomings here that Katie mentioned.

I don't know if your zip codes are used in the same fashion. If they 
are, and if you have reason to believe that potential errors can be 
fixed by people on the ground, then I'd say it makes sense to have them 
in OSM. If, on the other hand, your zip codes are not really used as a 
geo reference, or if you think it is unlikely that the data can be 
maintained by ordinary people, then I'd leave it out.

Bye
Frederik

-- 
Frederik Ramm  ##  eMail frederik at remote.org  ##  N49°00'09" E008°23'33"