[Openstreetmap] Re: [Openstreetmap-dev] Feasibility of clients of the OpenStreetMap 0.2 API, and Freemap

[nick at hogweed.org]

> Yes, B. Part of the wiki nature is a very low barrier of entry to making
> changes. The wiki nature is what makes OSM cool. I don't believe a heavy
> client is a solution for wiki-style editing, since it requires
> downloading and installing various things. 

My 2p worth.....

I think there's a place for both the applet and heavy clients.

I think a heavy client is appropriate in some situations, for example if yhou 
want a piece of software which can grab data from a GPS direct; I like the 
idea of having one single piece of software which can get the data from the 
GPS and allow the user to edit and upload it - hence osm-editor. It would be 
nice if the applet could do this direct but for obvious (security) reasons 
applets cannot.

> Now applets are not ideal 
> either, since they also make significant assumptions about the client's
> system. Flash would be better, but is not really Free-as-in-freedom.
> AJAX would be perfect, but much much work. My 2p.

AJAX is certainly doable, and arguably highly user-friendly, for 
adding/deleting/editing points of interest.

Nick