OpenStreetMap
What’s in a name? What should HOT’s new regional hubs be called...
Posted by RebeccaF on 18 March 2021 in English.HOT is setting up a new regional hub structure globally (see previous posts), and with the two new hub directors Nama Budathoki (Regional Director: Asia-Pacific) Monica Nthiga (Regional Director: East Africa), and Head of Community Pete Masters we’ve been pondering what they should be called.
Why is this important?
- We want to signify some of the values of what the hubs should be in the name, to signal what a hub stands for. The name should indicate that it is an open and participatory space for communities to engage with. More on hub principles here.
- We also need to communicate what the hubs do not stand for; that this is not a HOT country office, nor do we want it to be.
- The hub work is only just beginning; now is a great time to choose a name which indicates what the hub could be for communities that have not yet engaged with OpenStreetMap at all. The name should help connect these communities with what to expect from the hub.
- The word “humanitarian” is not applicable to all of the locations and contexts the hubs serve, and does not resonate with many OpenStreetMap communities globally. Using HOT’s acronym could be useful to signal that the hubs are related to HOT, but the word humanitarian may be less so.
- Building awareness is really hard, and so it would be easier if the hubs share a commonality in their naming, that is, we don’t have four different hubs with four completely different names
What’s not possible?
- Several people have suggested we could use OpenStreetMap hub or OSM hub - unfortunately that’s not allowable under the current trademark agreement that’s coordinated between the HOT & OSMF Boards.
Idea for a formula:
What do we need to include?
- The region (Asia Pacific, East Africa, West Africa, Latin America & Caribbean)
- A link to HOT; how do we identify these open mapping spaces are supported by HOT?
- Something about the nature of the space; what is it?
Some examples of ideas (using Asia Pacific region as an example):
- HOT Open Data Hub: Asia Pacific
- HOT Open Data Lab: Asia Pacific
- HOT Open Map Lab: Asia Pacific
- Asia Pacific Map Lab: HOT
- Open Maps Asia Pacific (a HOT open mapping hub)
What do you think? Add some ideas in comments on what words should be in here… collective, space, open? Open to ideas, but please don’t suggest Boaty McBoatface.. :)
Discussion
Comment from AndrewBraye on 18 March 2021 at 11:32
Nice question.
Language is the first thing that comes to mind.
As you mentioned the naming of each hub will have a big impact on how it is perceived, especially in that region.
The Hubs represents an opportunity to enable and highlight regional language, community needs, people and opportunities.
Might the new hub directors have the context to lead on this locally?
Comment from RobJN on 18 March 2021 at 23:29
What about:
There’s got to be a play on either of the words “coordinates” or “landmark” too but these might only work in English!
Also maybe:
Comment from bo_hot on 19 March 2021 at 17:21
Ahh you beat me to it with boaty mcboatface.
Maybe something about a regional node?
Humanitarian OpenMapNode Asia Pacific or some such.
I like the comment on language from Andrew, however recognising the diversity of Asia Pacific, it might be quite challenging to make sure everyone is represented.
Comment from ianlopez1115 on 20 March 2021 at 18:09
Consider using “Carto Hangout powered/supported by HOT" (replace "Hangout" with culture-, region- and language-appropriate variations of "hangout/watering hole" or similar spots while "powered/supported by HOT" can be translated).
Comment from unen on 22 March 2021 at 08:58
Chiming on Bo’s suggestion, OpenDataHub or OpenMapHub sound good.
Mappy McMapHub is out of the question, then. Consider me not suggesting it.
Comment from TylerOSM on 22 March 2021 at 20:33
It was mentioned that using OpenStreetMap in the name is not provided for in the current HOT-OSMF MoU draft. That is true - it’s not in the current draft, but, hypothetically, if this were an option, is it one that people want? (is it worth us talking across the HOT and OSMF boards to see whether it could make sense?)
A primary goal of the hub is to facilitate growth of OpenStreetMap / OpenStreetMap ecosystems in each region. Something both HOT and OSMF can likely get behind. Using OpenStreetMap as part of the name would seemingly be a benefit to all parties and would make things clear that OSM is a primary focus. Worth exploring this option some more before we discount it?
Comment from TylerOSM on 22 March 2021 at 20:37
Also +1 to OpenDataHub / OpenMapHub too
Comment from ianlopez1115 on 23 March 2021 at 11:58
+1 for OpenDataHub, -1 for OpenMapHub since MapHub has been around since 2016
Comment from Richard on 24 March 2021 at 10:44
Entirely personal datapoint but I’ve never been keen on “hub” - it’s a very inward-facing word (“this is our organisational structure”) rather than outward-facing (“this is what we can do for you”).
But that might be because I’m used to the cycling world where everything is called “hub” for the obvious pun value…
“HOT Maps Asia Pacific” could work, I think. And there’s a nice interplay between the words there - “maps” as noun and verb, “hot” as proper noun and adjective.
Comment from notoncebut2x on 24 March 2021 at 12:53
I love me a good acronym. How about: Maps And Geospatial Innovation Centers = MAGICs
Comment from Kateregga1 on 24 March 2021 at 15:35
Copying here the discussion on this topic from the OSM Africa WhatsApp Group
Poncelet: The Open Data Hub is cool
Erica: No need to name HOT in the title. Otherwise, any is good. Once you name HOT you lose a chance for community ownership and sustainability.
Willy: Open GeoData Hub (it’s more of a Hub than a Lab to me…) Open GeoLab also if Lab is necessary 🥰
Trudy: HOT Open Data Hub, Open Geodata Hub
Rory: Because I work for the government it means I love making things into acronyms. How about MAGICs —> Mapping And Geospatial Innovation Center
And because mapping features on OSM is a bit like magic 🪄
Michael: Wonder if these centres will be dedicated only to the HOT community or not. If not, I would skip HOT in the name and they would ideally accept fundings from other NGOs for other projects.
I think it needs full ownership of local communities in such centres. It may be a way to ease partnering with them all
Laura: +1 for Open Geodata Hub / Open GeoHub On hub vs lab: hub sounds more representative & collaborative i.e community of communities
Comment from RebeccaF on 24 March 2021 at 18:50
Thanks so much for sharing to a wider audience Geoffrey, great to have those suggestions in here too! Great to hear others thoughts & creativity on this - thanks everyone for chiming in:)