[OSM-talk] Paweł's q: what can be done?

[Michal Migurski]

On Feb 4, 2013, at 11:53 PM, Peter Wendorff wrote:

> Am 05.02.2013 08:15, schrieb Clifford Snow:
>> Third parties bring unique value to OSM. However, is it inconceivable that  we might be able to offer something more than just a database? 
>> 
>> For example funded Software development has been done by companies like
>> CloudMade, MapQuest on a company budget, or Mapbox that applied for external
>> funding through the Knight foundation to develop OpenStreetMap software like
>> e.g. the iD editor.
>>  
>> This is great until these companies decide that they want us to map according to their rules.  If they are building the tools then we have lost the ability to set our directions. Now from what I've seen of the iD editor it's great. The point I'm trying to stress is that we should set our own path, not let others set it for us. We could still encourage others to build tools, but with the understanding of where we are headed.
> But who is "we" here? Who should decide how to "set our own path"? All registered mappers? The OSMF board? Registered users? Active Mappers? What are active mappers? Coders? Active coders? Wiki editors? Every of any of the mentioned groups who is able to read, speak AND write English language?
> Whatever you choose as a "definition" for "we" here, it's very likely that it's not better than what we have now: Everybody who want's to decide AND DO.
> Sure: that may be companies, and yes, it may have a bad taste that companies influence how stuff is done in the "osm universe", but on the other hand you could say the same about the JOSM or Potlatch maintainers, who influence mapping practice a lot by deciding about tagging templates and the like.
> I think it's good that everyone, even a company, is able to use osm data as well as to provide their users means to contribute back - by providing "open-in-osm-editor"-links as well as by implementing their own editing functionality (as long as it's done right).
> 
> If you want "us" to "set our own path", I have to ask, what differs a "better" "us" from the people currently setting up our path - many volunteers coding JOSM, Potlatch and iD (even sponsored by Mapbox/Knight Foundation as far as I know the iD dev people talk to and receive contributions by non-paid volunteers).

I'd like to formally request a moratorium on scare quotes for the remainder of this thread.

Looking at you, "robin paulson."

-mike.

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