[OSM-talk] Software Freedom Day

[Ulf Lamping]

Jonathan Bennett schrieb:
> Tobias Knerr wrote:
>> How about "offer reliable service with good uptimes"? After the recent
>> maintenance weekend it was stated that our services are not really
>> intended for the public (at least if they need them and don't just
>> experiment with them) and we are only about data. If that's still the
>> case, recommending the use of these services to the public doesn't seem
>> like a good idea.
>>   
> You're right that the mapping on openstreetmap.org isn't intended to be 
> a reliable, full-scale service for the general public: It's a showcase 
> and a mapper's tool. The idea is to get other sites to use the data to 
> create the maps they want, rather than just using one set of tiles from us.

Hi!

Is it really such a good idea to force each and every tiny website to 
set up their own map server when they only want to put some markers on a 
simple map (especially where there's no need for special rendering)?

It really takes some effort to set up your own map server. It may not 
even be possible to host it on a cheap web account that most websites use.


My feeling is that we should try to support (and not "defend against" 
;-) such projects as SFD to use our maps, so "open minded" projects 
spread the word about OSM.

Setting up a policy like: "Unless you're producing a lot of traffic, you 
can use the map for your own project. Please note that the map may be 
down for maintenance for 1-2 days occasionally" would be a probably good 
idea (well, if it's not already in the wiki somewhere) - so others know 
what they will get.

This way it's much more likely that interested parties get involved in 
OSM and after a while working "on their own map", when they recognize 
that it's possible with OSM - and if it makes sense for their project goal.

Regards, ULFL

P.S: I enjoyed to see that the latest maintenance downtimes were 
announced some days/weeks before it actually happened. The whole 
downtime process was much smoother compared to the API 0.5 switch. So 
all in all, I think for most projects the OSM base maps are just ok :-)