[OSM-talk] Automated edits code of conduct

[Christoph Hormann]

On Tuesday 12 July 2016, tuxayo wrote:
> > Remember OSM is largely a do-ocracy - those who put work into
> > developing the rules have a significant influence on their content.
> >  This does not make them illegitimate.
>
> The questions is how legitimate are they. To know if we can enforce
> them strictly.

Legitimacy in an open community like OSM is a difficult question which 
in the framework of a do-ocracy is solved in a relatively practical 
way.  But as said the rules are no laws.

I would suggest to look at things more in terms of consistency - OSM is 
all about local knowledge and mappers mapping their day-to-day 
environment.  It is inconsistent with this aim to allow others to mess 
around in this local mapping through automated edits without looking at 
individual features one by one.  

> > Both participating in creating and improving the rules as well as
> > working on the DWG making sure mappers comply with the rules are
> > open to everyone.
>
> Is joining the DWG necessary to enforce these rules/guidelines?

No, as also said elsewhere every mapper can - if he/she sees edits that 
are for example factually incorrect or violate the rules of automated 
edits, imports etc. revert those changes, but of course after 
contacting the mappers in question and maybe asking them to fix it 
themselves and of course only if your knowledge of the area in question 
is sufficient to make such assessment.

This happens more often than you probably think but ultimately it also 
does not work in many cases because not every mapper is willing or 
capable to do this.  

And - since you always talk about enforcing rules - this is generally 
not about enforcement, this is about maintaining a friendly and 
consistent environment for normal mappers.

-- 
Christoph Hormann
http://www.imagico.de/