[OSM-talk] Detrimental validation software

[Aaron Lidman]

Hi Dave,

Richrico should have responded. The Mapbox data team has a policy to respond to all questions from the community. I'm sorry he didn't, he has now, and we've reminded all members of our data team of this policy. This should no longer be an issue in the future and all of our data team policies are completely transparent and can be found on the wiki:http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Mapbox#Data_Team_Guidelines

The software is not "being misused to insert errors into the OSM database", it was a mistake. Just like Keepright, Osmose, and JOSM, to-fix has false positives. It's unfortunate and we're actively working to reduce them in number but they happen. Looking at the imagery I can see how it might be thought they connect, especially when none of us are using google maps for verification, right?

If there are large scale issues with the things to-fix is highlighting we should have a discussion about that and I'm open to suggestions. You can submit issues here:https://github.com/osmlab/to-fix/issues

The discussion about local knowledge vs remote or armchair mapping and your stance on "detrimental" software is another one entirely. 


On Monday, October 13, 2014 at 6:48 AM, Dave F. wrote:

> Hi
> 
> Once again I've had user Richrico use this website:  http://osmlab.github.io/to-fix/?error=unconnected_major5 to inaccurately amend data in OSM.
> 
> http://www.openstreetmap.org/way/65398595#map=19/51.32464/-2.22817
> Way: 65398595 This way is not joined. 
> For clarification: http://goo.gl/maps/FHp4z
> I've tried to contact him previously, but he failed to respond. I've just sent him a second message.
> This, & other similar types of software is being misused to insert errors into the OSM database. 
> Without local knowledge there is no way users can be sure of the accuracy of there edits. They should stick to what they know. I believe this type of validation software should be discouraged, if not banned completely.
> I'm getting bored of my OSM time being taken up chasing after users who are semi-deliberately adding errors. 
> 
> Oh, & on Maproulette I'm getting a virus warning: hxxp://198.58.115.35/piwik.js
> 
> Regards
> Dave F.
> 
> 
> 
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> 
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