[OSM-talk] OSM data, how can we contribute to keep it to a reasonable size?

[Oleksiy Muzalyev]

Good morning,

I started to experiment with the OSM data [1] on a local computer, and I 
begin to realize how big these data files are. It takes quite a while to 
load into the local database just the data for one country.

What can I as a map editor do to keep these data files to a reasonable 
size without compromising  data quality? I mean in the sense, - take 
care of the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves?

I could think of the following three approaches so far:

- using as short an URL as possible, website=http://somewebsite.com 
instead of website=http://www.somewebsite.com , three characters less; [2]

- correct phone number ISO format, phone=+12 345 678 90 12 instead of 
phone=+12 (345) 678 90 12 , two characters less;  [3]

- deleting unnecessary nodes from a way (Shift-Y in JOSM) with 
consequent verification of its geometry;

What else, if anything, could be done?

[1] https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Downloading_data
[2] https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Key:website
[3] https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Key:phone

With best regards,
Oleksiy
osm: Alex-7