Photos: "Citizen cartographers" mapping the planet

How OpenStreetMap is taking on Google and Ordnance Survey...

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By Andy McCue, 13 November 2006 15:50

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OpenStreetMap started two years ago and is aiming to take on the likes of Google Maps and Ordnance Survey (OS) by creating a free open source wiki-style map of the planet.

OpenStreetMap relies on volunteers to collect the mapping data and holds regular 'mapping parties' at weekends to blitz a particular area. Here are a few of them getting ready to head out on foot, bikes and by car on a mapping weekend in the Surrey Hills at the end of last month.

Founder Steve Coast (pictured far left in a blue shirt) started OpenStreetMap in response to the legal and technical restrictions on the use of other maps such as Google and OS.

He said: "This data is freely available. Google buys commercially restricted data. It can't make that available for free."

Photo credit: Libby Miller

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1. Mike Whittaker

I found the open street map software awkward to use, in particular, setting zoom level, examining data points and setting filters by area or date.

If they want more contributors, the whole process should be made more straightforward - or step-by-step documented.
- 14 November 2006 12:35
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