# OpenStreetMap A lot of what follows is pretty much a summary of the wikipedia page, lol. Even the structure is similar. > [!ai]+ ChatGPT > > **OpenStreetMap (OSM)** is a collaborative project that creates a free, editable map of the world, made by people like you. The concept can be compared to Wikipedia, but for maps. Here's an overview of what OpenStreetMap is and how it works: > > ### 1. **Data Model**: > OpenStreetMap's basic data elements are: > > - **Nodes**: Individual points that can represent things like lamp posts, mailboxes, or any other singular point of interest. > > - **Ways**: Ordered lists of nodes that form a polyline. They can represent linear features, like a street or river, or area features, like forests, parks, or lakes. > > - **Relations**: A bit more complex, these are used to explain how other elements work together. For instance, a bus route might be made up of several different ways. > > - **Tags**: These are key-value pairs attached to the above elements and provide the actual descriptive information, such as a way tagged with `highway=residential` indicating a residential street. > > ### 2. **Data Collection**: > OpenStreetMap data comes from a variety of sources: > > - **Manual Survey**: Contributors (often called mappers) go out with GPS devices, smartphones, or even just pen and paper to collect data about their surroundings. > > - **Aerial Imagery**: Mappers use aerial imagery to trace features. OpenStreetMap uses imagery provided by organizations like Bing and Mapbox. > > - **Importing Data**: In some cases, data is imported from open datasets, but this is done under strict guidelines to ensure license compatibility and data quality. > > ### 3. **Editing the Map**: > There are several tools available for editing OSM data: > > - **iD Editor**: A web-based editor and probably the most user-friendly for beginners. > > - **JOSM**: A powerful desktop-based editor for more experienced mappers. > > - **Vespucci**: An editor for Android devices. > > - **Go Map!!**: An editor for iOS devices. > > ### 4. **Using the Data**: > The data is open and free to use under the Open Database License (ODbL). People can use OSM data for: > > - **Rendering Maps**: Creating map visuals for websites, mobile apps, and more. > > - **Routing**: Driving, walking, cycling navigation. > > - **Geocoding**: Converting between addresses and geographic coordinates. > > - **Analysis**: For various spatial analyses in fields like urban planning, logistics, and more. > > ### 5. **Community**: > A vibrant community of mappers, software developers, and enthusiasts around the world contribute to OSM. They communicate through mailing lists, forums, and in-person events like "mapathons". > > ### 6. **How It's Different**: > Unlike commercial map services, OSM is: > > - **Open**: Anyone can use, modify, and distribute the data freely. > > - **Collaborative**: It's maintained by volunteers around the world. > > - **Flexible**: It can be tailored to specific uses, from humanitarian aid to business logistics to personal projects. > > ### **Conclusion**: > OpenStreetMap is a powerful, community-driven map platform that's adaptable to a wide range of uses. Its open nature and global reach make it a unique and invaluable resource for people and organizations all over the world. ## OpenStreetMap Foundation This could be interesting to look at while I'm learning more about contributing to [[nivenly.org]]. - [About | OpenStreetMap Blog](https://blog.openstreetmap.org/about/) - Yearly conference: State of the map - Membership: [Membership - OpenStreetMap Foundation](https://osmfoundation.org/wiki/Membership) There's a whole list of documents and policies here: - [Policies and other Documents - OpenStreetMap Foundation](https://osmfoundation.org/wiki/Policies_and_other_Documents) - Tool choice and FOSS policy (which software to use): - [FOSS Policy - OpenStreetMap Foundation](https://osmfoundation.org/wiki/FOSS_Policy) - Transcript of general meetings: - [Annual General Meetings - OpenStreetMap Foundation](https://osmfoundation.org/wiki/Annual_General_Meetings) There are working groups, for example the - [Data Working Group - OpenStreetMap Foundation](https://osmfoundation.org/wiki/Data_Working_Group) - These have quarterly reports as well as some meeting notes (although it is noted that a lot of the exchange is now "informal") - [Data Working Group/DWG Activity Report Q2 2022 - OpenStreetMap Foundation](https://osmfoundation.org/wiki/Data_Working_Group/DWG_Activity_Report_Q2_2022) - They use an issue tracker for their working group requests, apparently this: [Login - OTRS 6](https://otrs.openstreetmap.org/otrs/index.pl) - Wiki entry about the DWG (pretty bare, honestly) - [Talk:Data working group - OpenStreetMap Wiki](https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Talk:Data_working_group)