[Openstreetmap] Workshop: Map the Isle of White

[SteveC]

Hi everyone,

Some time ago I had the idea that a group mapping a small and well
defined area would be instructive and fun. So, how about this: Early
next year we get together and map the Isle of White:

http://www.openstreetmap.org/index.html?lat=50.68427707217798&lon=-1.23046896875&zoom=8

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isle_of_Wight



It's doable, I believe, in a week. We'd hire a cottage and descend on
the place armed with computers, cars, bikes, feet and GPS units galore.
The days would be spent mapping and either uploading to OSM central or
if network not available then OSM-in-a-box. The evenings enjoying fine
ales, food and conversation.

The Saturday before would be spent mapping some other area, say in
London, in order to test OSM-in-a-box so we don't get any nasty
surprises.

This would be fun enough, I hope, to attract some of our international
contributors to the UK and could be considered as an OSM conference and
workshop of sorts. It's diverse enough to attract people in many fields
of mapping and art and, hopefully, academia (Martin!)

There are at least three people here with experience of fund raising and
running workshops. Most of us have GPS units, travel can be shared.
There would be a lot to work out, probably on the wiki.

Some of us have families and (gasp) children to look after which along
with high rent prices might put the Easter break out of the running.
OTOH maybe the kids would find it fun too, watching Christian let kids
play with biomapping http://www.biomapping.net/ suggests there is at
least scope.

Someone has already uploaded a couple of tracks to OSM from the area. We
could collaborate with schools and any art groups over there and make a
lot of noise about the availability of a free map. We would want to get
some cartographers interested in making the final pretty map.

So, assuming that nobody comes up with somewhere better than the Isle of
White:

Are you interested?

When can you come? (we'd figure out the best date(s))

How would you get there?

Can you fund yourself? Should we look for funding?

Do you know anyone on the Isle of White that could help us?

Should there be a conference-like component, say a talk per evening?

Any other thoughts?

have fun,


SteveC steve at asklater.com http://www.asklater.com/steve/