[OSM-talk] Some observations from a newcomer

[Lars Aronsson]

David Earl wrote:

> - Sorry to start with a damning criticism, but the viewer on the 
> home page is completely useless. It can leave it 20 minutes 

Yes, this is tragic and very well known. Most of us are just too 
lazy to do anything about it.  It's not related to your computer, 
software or connection.

> - A lot of areas seem to have segments, but virtually no Ways 
> (and no street names). This seems like wasted effort as if you 
> don't know the street names, it needs a second survey to pick 
> them up.

A wasted effort it is not.  You only have to revisit some street 
corners, at most, not travel all the roads.  The ability to add 
and name "ways" was added only recently.  Many line segments were 
drawn before that.  More features will surely be added later, and 
the work we currently do isn't wasted just because of that.

> - I had to cover some ground twice, just to get to virgin 
> territory, and I was surprised how much the GPS traces varied. 

Now here is where you can easily waste your effort, by driving 
around while having poor reception. A lot depends on your receiver 
and antenna and how you position it, basic radio reception stuff.  
Don't blindly trust the accuracy given on the display.  Find out 
how the antenna element is positioned within your receiver and how 
you should hold or mount it for better signal quality.  Higher is 
better, try an external antenna on the car's roof. Try different 
tricks and record the same road many times to see how well you can 
do.  Or just record your position while sitting still, to see how 
much it moves around.


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