[Openstreetmap] major db refactoring and GPS data

[Lars Aronsson]

SteveC wrote:

> So given we have 14 or 15 million rows with 4 unused columns and 
> I don't recall anyone really wanting that data parsed and 
> stored... should we keep it?

In my opinion the uploaded GPX files are the raw source material, 
which should be treated with the same archival respect as ancient 
papyrus scrolls, and the database is merely a live cache that only 
should contain what the current application uses.  Change the 
database as you wish, but never throw away the original uploads.

This raises the question about a tracklog archive, something that 
I have mentioned earlier on another list:

When you upload your GPX files to OpenStreetMap, you have agreed 
to share them according to a Creative Commons license, but 
currently there is no way for other users to download your GPX 
files.  Would you be upset or think twice before uploading again 
if this was possible?  What are the social risks of sharing?

I made a prototype archive at http://aronsson.se/tracklog-archive/


-- 
  Lars Aronsson (lars at aronsson.se)
  Aronsson Datateknik - http://aronsson.se