[OSM-talk] Marketing OSM

[Nick Black]

Hello,

Excellent enthusiasm!

On 2/8/07, kaka <drspencer at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> Marketing OSM
>
> Hi
> I would like to know if there is a marketing strategy for OSM. I try to
> spread the word in various internet forums (GPS/GIS forums, environmental
> sites, travel forums...), to other GIS related friends, university etc, but
> I would, naturally, like to see more people joining this project to speed
> things up a bit. If there currently is no strategy, I would like to hear
> some suggestions on how to make the world aware of OpenStreetMap. How about
>
> * Contacting GPS hardware/software manufacturers (maybe ship an OSM pamphlet

> with every device or a link from their sites?)
> * Requesting support for the file format from various GIS packages

An interesting idea, but could be quite tricky to achieve.  The fact
that OSM includes tools that export to formats like Shapefiles,
Postgis etc, should help interoperability.  The best way to achieve
this would be for people to start writing plugins for FOSS GIS
themselves.

> * Cooperation with universities

We 'officially' cooperate with universities in the UK like UCL (who
provide hosting) and Manchester (providing conference facilities) -
many other universities provide assistance on a more informal basis.

> * A new web based forum, perhaps phpBB or a similar solution
http://www.levertons.net/osm/ used to be one here.

> * Creating an offline document with all the info one needs to get started
> with OSM mapping. I think I have seen this discussed somewhere. Maybe there
> already is one?

There is/was, but I don't think its being maintained.

>
> If we could make every GIS/GPS user aware of OSM, that would surely add some
> weight to the project. Maybe we can learn something from the Firefox
> campaign? I´m sure there must be tons of great ideas on how to expand the
> network. Any suggestions welcome.

Feel free to start a wiki page/promotions group or something.  The
best way to get anything done round here is to do it yourself ;-).
Seriously, start contacting any organisations you would like to, to
see if they are interested in supporting or being involved with OSM.
It would definitely be a good idea to start a wiki page to document
who you have contacted - that way it reduces the chances of  garmin
getting 100 emails from OSM people.  With the conference coming up in
the summer, its a great opportunity to spread the word.

Where abouts in the world are you?



>
> Magnus
> --
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>
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-- 
Nick Black
--------------------------------
http://www.blacksworld.net