[OSM-talk] What is 'Attic Data'? or 'Why can't wiki writers use plain language'.

[Dave F]

On 07/02/2016 09:43, malenki wrote:
>> Why is there no explanation of it's meaning? After too much time
>> using google I find it means old information. Why not say that?
>> Wouldn't 'historical snapshot' be a bit clearer?
> A year ago I would liked to have found an explanation of "Attic
> Data" too, since the average OSM user knows it from the OSM website as
> "history" or "chronic" (German). If the term "history" would at least
> have been placed near "Attic Data" I would have found it by full text
> searching the wiki page.
> I was unable to connect "OSM history" and "Attic Data", even with using
> search engines. I had to ask on IRC and as I was told I was looking for
> "Attic Data" I thought 'WTF! what a stupid name! Nobody ever will find
> that in the wiki'
> I've added an explanation by now; hopefully it will be considered
> helpful:
> http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/w/index.php?title=Overpass_API/Overpass_QL&diff=1270275&oldid=1262567
>
> Why didn't you do it? :)

How? How are inexperienced users, using the wiki to learn something new, 
meant to know how to improve it when it's incorrect.

That you suggest I do it, implies you don't understand the purpose of a 
wiki.

It seems many believe it's a place to show off how knowledgeable they 
are by using the latest, trendy language.


>
>> Please remember wiki/help pages are mainly read by inexperienced
>> users
> Define the "inexperienced user", please.
>
> I am nearly totally inexperienced in programming but even JOSM has
> a built-in interface to query the Overpass API.
> With overpass turbo and its wizard you need very little experience of
> whatsoever to create a successful query.

Unsure of the relevance of that comment. I maybe able to create /a/ 
successful query, but is it the one that I require, seeing it's not 
clear what, as just one example, Attic data means.
You appear to misunderstand my main point: Putting uncommon expressions 
in the wiki (any part, not just Overpass) deters users from learning how 
to use OSM & it's offshoot programs.


>> who aren't fully aware of all the latest hip language (that
>> often goes out of fashion 6 months later).
> Well, since this is a name of a feature of a wide- and heavily used
> tool I doubt that it is part of a fashion hipster language.

That you also had to ask, & others are unaware of its meaning, proves it 
isn't in common usage.

>
> You can help doing this, too.

Again, how?


PS This post is a good example why I don't use IRC. Responses there only 
helps one user. Here on the list or web forums a record is kept that 
*all* can read & learn from.

Dave F.

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