OpenStreetMap
Hi, I am a new member and would like to know, how this project is organized.
Is there any plan in place, defining what has to be done up to what deadline? If not, I think this would be a good idea in order to ensure that this project is not a never ending story.
Could somebody please inform me, how this project is managed?
Many thanks,
Flavio
Discussion
Comment from JohnSmith on 14 April 2010 at 04:22
Let's make what happen specifically?
Comment from lebsanbe on 14 April 2010 at 05:50
Spam?
Comment from Rhubarb on 14 April 2010 at 06:05
This project pretty much is a never ending story - much like Wikipedia. There's always data to add, modify and to improve upon.
I can't really answer any other questions for you though.
Comment from Marco Flavio on 14 April 2010 at 06:12
To finish this project. E.g. split the world into 10.000 sections and appoint for each a godparent, who is responsible to complete that section up to an specific date. Display the globe on openstreetmap and show, which sections are still available to be covered by volunteers.
Comment from Marco Flavio on 14 April 2010 at 06:15
First is to bring it to an end. Afterwards we can think about updating procedures.
Comment from 42429 on 14 April 2010 at 06:49
This project is completely decentral: First come, first map
In Germany, there is an incomplete and voluntary statistics how many streets are already mapped:
http://osm.gt.owl.de/Strassenliste/
Currently, big cities are well mapped, but small towns and villages still need attention:
http://osm.gt.owl.de/Strassenliste/map-nordrhein-westfalen.html
http://osm.gt.owl.de/Strassenliste/images/sachsen.jpg
Where do you live? If you (or your parents or your grandparents) live (at least temporarily) in a small village, you have a good chance to find a white place to map.
Comment from Marco Flavio on 14 April 2010 at 08:48
Decentralized mapping is fine to me. But it is not managed and this is the key of a successful project. There should be a set out of rules and nominations of people, who are responsible for their part. There should be a time frame. Currently it looks as nobody really cares. So who should promote such a project?
The streetlist you referred to is a map and not a list. But it is a good point to start with. Worldwide. Even the openstreetmap.org page is out of date in terms of user friendliness. And data is becoming obsolete quickly - so how long do you think will this project persist?
For me this is a junky playground, a free software because there is no value behind it. This will never serve the world net community - to the benefit of the multi million dollar global corportations.
Regards,
Flavio
Comment from iTNOistA on 14 April 2010 at 09:35
Look, most of us are probably quite happy to play in a "junky playground". OpenStreetmap is not a profit seeking company or something.
If you want to help mapping, do your part. But please try to be less arrogant (your message: "there is no value behind it"; your profile page: "it is time to do it right").
Flor
Comment from Marco Flavio on 14 April 2010 at 09:54
Yes Flor, it might sounds arrogant, but it isn't really. Because I am on your part and would like to see this project succeeding. But I can't see any evidence here. So I try to put your attention on this fact by beeing a little bit provocative. What I want to say is something like: "Its time to change - Yes we can!", if you know what I mean.
So please do not take it personally.
Comment from drlizau on 14 April 2010 at 10:38
Marco, thanks for your concerns, but they are misplaced. I guess that you are much younger than I, and have been schooled in the world of "management". There are other ways to have things happen than to "manage" them. This is an anarchist group, with certain individuals having key access to some assets. It works in its own way, through trust and communication, in an extremely decentralised way. I suggest you take a few months to study the way this organisation actually works, and come back about Christmas time to tell us your views.
Comment from imroy on 14 April 2010 at 12:20
Yes, learn to lurk first. Learn more about this project before launching your idea.
For one, I don't think user diaries is the right place to ask organisational questions. Diaries are more for "this is what I'm doing on/with OSM" type information. Your questions are probably better asked on mailing lists or on the wiki.
Comment from chillly on 14 April 2010 at 12:37
You have a lot to learn. Let's hope OSM can extend your education into the real world.
Comment from Pieren on 14 April 2010 at 13:57
Hey guys. It's an april fool's day hoaxe... coming too late.
Comment from Marko Knöbl on 14 April 2010 at 17:13
Welcome to OpenStreeMap and thanks for sharing your idea about a possible improvement! However I agree with other who think it is unrealistic.
According to the OpenStreetMap stats[1] there are a little more than 10.000 "active" contributors (editing at least once a month). So splitting the world into 10.000 sections (each would have to be about 15.000 sqare kilimeters large if we only consider land) and appointing someone who is responsible for each of these sections is pointless.
So I don't think this project can be managed globally. However there are many local communities, so you may be able to join one in your area.
[1] http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Statistics
Comment from robert on 14 April 2010 at 21:02
"Could somebody please inform me, how this project is managed?"
Our chief productivity booster is ignoring people like you. And that's not me being mean, I really mean it.
Comment from barrieu on 15 April 2010 at 19:00
Most human endeavours and activities have aspects which can be made more 'efficient' or 'successful' but the addition of the Management Process invariably causes things to really fall apart.
Comment from Marco Flavio on 17 April 2010 at 08:04
Dear All,
from your comments I can see that some of you took it personally. It is my default and I regret to hurt you in person by giving such a statement. This was not my intention and I really apologize for my rude and insensitive way of communication.
In fact I was looking for a global GIS database in order to complete a programm what is part of my own project. I was disappointed that your good work is not finished yet as I have visited the OSM pages five or six years ago. I found another way (webGIS) to complete this core functionallity of my project and wish you all the best and of cause success for your OSM project.
Best regards,
Flavio