[OSM-talk] How to present OSM to an audience of potential newbies?

[Richard Weait]

On Sat, 2009-06-06 at 23:17 +0100, Tim Morley wrote:
> In a few weeks, I'll have the chance to present OSM to an audience of  
> youngish (18-30), intelligent, open-minded people, who more than  
> likely haven't yet come across the project. There may well be people  
> who are familiar with free and open source software, but that  
> probably won't be everybody present.
> 
> Are there wiki pages, slideshows, materials, ideas, etc. that you can  
> show me to help me prepare the presentation?
> 
> Failing that, how do *you* explain to someone that uses Google Maps  
> every day why you spend your time re-creating the same thing under a  
> different name? (Slightly provocative question, perhaps, but it must  
> be a very common one too -- what's your answer?)

Dear Tim,

You can find videos of Nick Black, Steve Coast and others giving Intro
to OSM talks at various sites.  Sorry I don't have those links handy.
There is another video here http://weait.com  

And a slide deck in ODF.  http://weait.com/IntroToOSM-summercamp.odp 

You are right to consider your audience as you prepare.  My typical 30
min. to 60 min. talk outline for Introduction to OpenStreetMap is
approximately:  

Why do you care about maps in general?   <-- Don't skip this!
What is OpenStreetMap?  OpenGeoData / Open Source Software 
Why does it exist / How did it start / Who is involved?
Show examples of what is done with OpenStreetMap.
How does this differ from commercial on-line maps?
Show examples of commercial map failings and OSM benefits
How to collect data for OSM.
How to open an account and start editing.  
Questions.

My next talk is at SouthEast LinuxFest, Clemson, SC Saturday, 13 June
2009.  

Common questions:

Why redo what others have online for free?

Many people care about copyright and commercial maps may not allow your
desired use of their copyright materials.  The general case answer for
OpenStreetMap is "you are allowed" even for commercial use.  (Check the
license for details)

What about quality control?

OpenStreetMap has more surveyors and more quality assurance.  Anybody
can fix it.  You've seen the failings in commercial maps (slow updates,
limited data, unmapped areas) and in commercial maps you can't fix that.
You, and everybody around you are helping OSM quality control.  

Aren't you giving better maps to "The Terrists?"

Oh, please.  http://weait.com/content/ban-terrorist-tools

Best regards,
Richard