OpenStreetMap
I am very new to this project, and I would like to include my city on the map. It is not mapped yet, and I have a personal project that involves mapping. I would like to know how can I contribute to create a map. I might be able to get a copy of the city's map from the local government, and I also have a usb gps and a netbook. I do not know anything about mapping to help on this project, but I would like someone to guide me doing it, or providing me information. I can try to map my entire city using the gps module and record my tracks. The problem is that I have no idea which program I can use. Will MS streets and trips work? or is there any other powerful application that might help for windows or linux ubuntu?
Thanks
Congratulations for this great project.
Danny
Discussion
Comment from 42429 on 7 March 2009 at 17:50
Hello Danny,
unfortunately you didn't write where you live. If you live in the United States, for example, you just need to fix existing roads.
If you live in an unmapped rural area, mapping will take more time.
There are several steps of mapping which can be done by different users:
1. Collecting tracks by walking, cycling and driving around.
2. Converting tracks from KML/NMEA to GPX
3. Uploading tracks to OSM server
4. Editing tracks by drawing a line from one edge of track to another edge
5. Adding information about this route (street name, max speed etc.)
6. Connecting routes and adding areas between these roads
Using other maps is dangerous because they might contain some errors. These errors can be used as proof for copying their maps. Please check carefully if there are errors on the city's map.
The most simple way to edit a map is Potlatch, the online editor. You just need to click the EDIT tab and Potlatch will automatically start on your browser.
Each edit with Potlatch will be saved forever.
http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Potlatch/Primer
JOSM is an editor for advanced users.
http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/JOSM
If you are confused with all these possibilities, look here:
http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Map_Features
If you have a particular configuration (Opera 2.x on BeOS 0.x), try another post on this diary.
Yours FK270673
Comment from es_ka on 7 March 2009 at 18:17
As FK270673 already mentioned, please keep in mind to respect copyright of maps you want to use, especially printed ones. But if you use your tech equipment and a notepad and go for a walk or drive around, you can collect a lot of useful data without hurting any copyright.
And you might want to learn all about mapping by reading the Beginner's Guide