I just stumbled onto this project a couple of days ago and thought it was a really cool undertaking and something I wanted to participate in, at least in some capacity. After doing a little reading to familiarize myself with the goals and motivations behind the project, I made a personal commitment to try to learn how to use the software properly and make sure that my own neighbourhood (in North York [aka Toronto], Ontario) was both accurate and fully accounted for. I figure if everyone does the same, then (at least the "used") world will be accounted for.

I spent a few hours last night reading the Wiki, watching the intro videos, and browsing familiar places in my neighbourhood to check (i) if they existed and (ii) to what degree of accuracy.

Since I don't have GPS, I guess I'm not really contributing to 'mapping' per se, but at least I can help with editing, tagging and ensuring the accuracy of the areas around me. I'm also going to solicit the (free) help of my mother who is an urban planner and should be able to help shed light on the definitions and distinctions made in and around the GTA and surrounding areas. She herself is potentially willing to help map and tag the area around our family cottage which seems non-existent at present.

At first look, I've seen that some things are inaccurate-- some of which I've edited and others which I've just noticed and don't feel I yet have the expertise to correct. For example, Yonge Blvd is definitely not a one way street, and I almost hesitate to call it a residential road as well since it connects two major roads in the area (despite recurrent city efforts to reduce the speed limit). Further, the distinction between Devere and Mason (SE of Wilson & Yonge Blvd) was not entirely accurate (Mason is larger than was accounted for, and De Vere smaller). Another thing that popped out today is that Burncrest drive (SE of Bathurst & Wilson), which currently accounts for the entire arc of that roadway in OSM, is two seperate roads called Burncrest Drive (east-west segment) and Falkirk Street (north-south segment after the bend).

I guess that's all for now. Not even sure who I'm writing to or why, but there it is. Hopefully it helps some.