[OSM-talk] source=(survey, yahoo, gps...)

[John Smith]

2009/9/9 Anthony <osm at inbox.org>:

> If the way lines up with the GPS trace, the GPS trace was used as the source
> of data.  If it doesn't, it wasn't (or it has been changed).
>
> Am I missing some reason that's not correct?

You're assuming only one type of source was used to generate a way,
when multiple sources may have been used on the same way, so what do
you assume if some of the way lines up with GPS trace and some
doesn't?

> I agree that people should list their source, even if they uploaded a GPS
> trace, since not everyone uses the same software and can bring up the GPS
> traces very easily.  But if the source is a GPS trace (or Yahoo, for that
> matter), it's not the end of the world if they don't, as a quick examination
> of those two possibilities will reveal the source.

What if they edit the way in JOSM and only load the GPS trace locally,
how are you know know they created a way based on GPS information?

> Anyway, my question above was where the best place is to tag things like GPS
> model.  Why should that be tagged on the way itself, and not on the GPS
> trace?  Obviously only works if the person uploads the GPS trace, but we're
> talking best practices at this point, right?

We need to also cover our bases, ways and POIs should be tagged as to
their origin simply because we're guessing otherwise.

> By the way, is there any interface where I can click on individual GPS
> traces and bring up information about them?  I had one yesterday which was

Only if they've been made public, if they're marked private you can't
get any more details.


> It's a shame if
> everyone who looks at that has to go through all the same trouble as me just
> to confirm that yes, this GPS trace is for a road that no longer exists.

Which is the point of tagging ways/POIs with source information.

> Can traces with obsolete (or just plain inaccurate) information be deleted?
> Should they be?

This was the topic of another email thread a while back, I'm not sure
of the outcome.

I particularlly love the GPS trace that cuts across Lord Howe Island,
no idea who's trace or even how I'd go about finding who's trace it
was but it may have been from a plane, no idea.