[OSM-talk] Google Map Maker gets a UI overhaul

[Andrew Errington]

On Thu, December 15, 2011 06:48, Tobias Knerr wrote:
> Martijn van Exel wrote:
>
>> We're definitely losing (potential) mappers to GMM. I don't have to
>> tell you that's a shame -- all that effort going into creating non-free
>> data. But how do we divert some of that energy to OSM?
>
> Well, let's ask a Map Maker user:
> http://forum.openstreetmap.org/viewtopic.php?id=14666
>
>
> I'm under the impression that a large part of Google's attractiveness is
> due to their *really* high-quality applications and services. We have nice
> maps, but they have a search function that works, routing, aerial imagery,
> the ability to make your own map overlays, official smartphone apps with
> vector rendering, and so on.

Nominatim search works.
Routing works with Cloudmade and MapQuest online, and Navit (to pick one
example) offline.
OpenLayers allows us to make our own overlays.
There are some OSM supported smartphone apps, although I haven't figured
out the difference between a smartphone app and a full-featured website.

> For people who are primarily motivated by applications they can use
> today, rather than the potential for future applications, we're just not
> that attractive - at least as far as "mainstream" applications are
> concerned.

Soon the future will be today.  I am looking ahead to that point.  If we
do nothing we certainly won't get there.  It's true that every day GMM
gets better, but then, so does OSM.

Best wishes,

Andrew