[OSM-talk] Not-properly-Open-but-called-Open
Dave F.
davefox at madasafish.com
Sun Jan 3 02:26:28 GMT 2010
Richard Fairhurst wrote:
> Martin Koppenhoefer wrote:
>
>> +1, IMHO it should not be an option on the main map page as it is
>> less "open" than OSM. Instead we could have other projects there,
>> that are as open as OSM (and that preferably cover the whole
>> planet, don't know how much of those there are at the moment).
>>
>
> Right. When you've come up with a map that's as cartographically impressive,
> as technologically capable, and as downright _useful_ as OpenCycleMap, come
> back and ask again, won't you?
>
This is a classic example of someone whingeing after they were
expecting to be lauded with praise & palm leaves, as they rode through
the city on a donkey, for doing something that no one told them or
expected them to do. At the first sign of criticism they get all offended.
>When you've come up with a map that's as cartographically impressive,
>as technologically capable, and as downright _useful_ as OpenCycleMap,
No one on this thread actually criticized OCM on this level, but since
you bring it up I would say it's distinctly average:
I mean, who, when planning a ride is desperate to deliver a letter to a
letter box?
It doesn't display at level 18 which can lead to confusion in city centres.
It doesn't display the difference between paths & footways.
Bicycle parking labels on given a number of spaces if greater than 20.
Personally I think knowing the number of smaller bike racks would be as,
if not, more useful.
It doesn't display certain areas such as leisure=nature_reserve
Oh! & it's not open so that others who want to help improve it can
contribute.
The one thing that is decent is the contour rendering.
> To me the front page of OSM seems like the ideal place to demonstrate "look,
> this is what having open data enables you to do". But, hey, maybe
> fundamentalism is the in thing for 2010.
We keep on being told in these forums that OSM is _not_ a map making
exercise, that it is purely a database for making maps. Yet, in big
letters on the front page it says "Show me the map - get out of my way!"
It needs to be one way or the other.
Personally I think it _should_ be promoting map renderings, but on it's
main map page it should be one that is truly open in the sense of OSM.
Cheers
Dave F.
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