[OSM-talk] Bringing OSM to walkers - countering negative attitudes

[Mikel Maron]

I don't think this kind of reaction is unique to walkers .. it's been years of hard work advocating and convincing by Steve and everyone, that OSM is a legitimate serious endeavor. Even Wikipedia is constantly coming up against the same tired arguments, and slowly convincing.

Ben Russell said there are two reactions when people first hear about OSM .. they're either straights who get scared and angry, or freaks who get really excited. And that's the sign of a major conception shifting project. OSM is not anywhere near large enough consciousness yet that this polarization can be avoided.

Also I've personally had best results when presenting OSM in person. The ability to show all the pretty pictures, give a complete overview, and answer the inevitable questions, is not something which has the same effect over email.

And it's good to appeal to their own needs. The folks on that thread cited OS maps .. but are they aware that it's likely the OS will not continue to resurvey the countryside? OSM is a way to make the representation match reality.

Of course the best persuader is a good result .. so a good post-Lake District event map should sway a lot of doubters.

-Mikel

----- Original Message ----
From: Nick Whitelegg <nick at hogweed.org>
To: talk at openstreetmap.org
Sent: Sunday, May 6, 2007 11:51:47 AM
Subject: [OSM-talk] Bringing OSM to walkers - countering negative attitudes


Sadly I never seem to get a positive response when I have tried to encourage 
use of firstly Freemap, and then OSM, to walking groups on the Internet. For 
instance on thread.

http://groups.google.com/group/uk.rec.walking/browse_thread/thread/f6b6aac0f12c5566/5f9cfe7b97b20965#5f9cfe7b97b20965

I attempted to tell the uk.rec.walking newsgroup about the planned Lake 
District event, but have got no interest whatsoever.

Am I actually completely deluded about walkers being interested in Free 
mapping? It would surprise me, because my own needs in this area were what 
brought me to this whole Free mapping thing in the first place.

Maybe the Ramblers would be a better channel?

Nick

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