[OSM-talk] Prolification of the amenity tag

[Ben Robbins]

So...basically instead of adding the type of building, e.g. bakers, in OSM, 
we go to a seperate wiki to add the data?  Then we return to osm, and lay 
the data over the top, and filter out all the bits that arnt needed on the 
map (phone number, store owner, discriptions, specific tiyles etc)??
Then all thats left is a tag for the building saying its a bakers, wich is 
something that is asthetically apparent when driving/walking past, so 
belongs on a map.  Therfore why couldnt this just have been tags, and taken 
from osm?.

If someone gave me directions they may say, go past the bakers and take the 
next right.  But no one would say, go past the building that is owned by mr 
johnson whos phone number is....  and then go right.  Its that data that 
only belongs on a yellowpages equivelent wiki.

Also if data is to be laid over the top of an OSM map from yellowwiki, then 
each bit of information would need a position.  If someone added there store 
to yellowwiki, and wanted the position, they could check on osm for the 
building marked bakers, and then copy that as there position.  (Keeping in 
mind that some people lack basic mapping skills [50% of young people in the 
uk acording to skynews])

Finalyl, the example of the wifi tag.  This usualyl wouldnt appear in a 
yellowwiki shorely?.  Also its not asthetically apparent so could be argued 
against being in osm.   The reason I think it should be in, is because a 
wifi area is an area, not a point.  Therefore it needs to be displayed 
visually, wich is what maps are for.  If a person has a laptop on them, the 
picking up of the wifi signal would then become apparent.  Just as a 30mph 
zone is apparent once you see the sign, but the area taged on the map as 30 
doesnt tell you that, the sign does.  Although I'm awair that tag has 
additonal uses for route planning.

ps. I can't find the post but someone used racetracks as an example of what 
isnt avaliable, and It is, racetrack is in proposed featurees, and has been 
there for ages, and is being ignored like most other suggestions on there.

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