You can and you should contribute - Open Street Map

Today I found out that it’s actually a lot easier to contribute to Open Street Map than I thought. There are some serious gaps in house addresses in my area and I was painstakingly using the built in browser editor in the browser.

But, you can use a FOSS app (available on fdroid) called StreetComplete that makes it a lot easier to help out filling in the gaps in your local map data.

It’s really fun - kind of like Pokémon Go but you are actually making an impact 😁

JackGreenEarth,

Is there an open street map based map app that shows live traffic? I’m trying to get my grandfather to switch to open source, and he says it’s the one feature he needs.

Schlemmy,

MagicEarth has got a live traffic layer for you.

gonzoknowsdotcom1,

Magic earth is great

thehellrocc,

Unfortunately, it’s not open source though.

Schlemmy,

Indeed it isn’t. But is privacy focused and sort of the best next thing.

thehellrocc, (edited )

Yeah, I was just pointing it out for transparency, as this is the OSS community. Still a noteworthy app, though.

nawordar,

If it is free as in beer, but not as in freedom, and is developed by a company, then what is their business model?

Schlemmy,

This is what they’ve put on their FAQ

Magic Earth is free for all our end-users but we also have a paid Magic Earth SDK for business partners. For instance Selectric.de (a supplier for navigation solutions for ambulances and fire trucks), Smarter AI (developing ADAS systems) or Absolute Cycling (using the platform on bicycles). For more info on the SDK, you can check magiclane.com.

nawordar,

That explains it, thanks

thejevans, (edited )

No, unfortunately not. Getting traffic data would mean users volunteering to share location data, would need a centralized system to process everything, and would need a critical mass of users sharing said data to be anywhere near useful. The other possibility would be to pay for data from a provider like Google under an enterprise license that doesn’t require sharing data back, but I don’t know if that is even an option.

For now, I use both on my phone. I use OSM when biking or walking, I use Google Maps when driving, and I use my local transit web app when taking transit. I plan to switch my Pixel phone to GrapheneOS and to sandbox Google services that I still need. That being said, the ultimate way around needing traffic information is to try to live in places and in such a way that driving is not very necessary, but I know that is a huge ask for a lot of people.

EDIT: To be clear, MagicEarth does have live traffic as @Schlemmy pointed out and is based on OSM, but is not itself open source.

sixfold,
@sixfold@lemmy.sdf.org avatar

time for some kind of anonymizing location data sharing service, peer to peer or federated protocol? that might be interesting, or sketchy, not sure which.

cumberboi,

There is OpenTraffic but it seems unfinished and not implemented anywhere as far as i can tell. Edit: just to clarify, ive only heard from others that it’s unfinished, havent checked myself :)

sixfold,
@sixfold@lemmy.sdf.org avatar

That’s a super interesting project. For anyone else, the project overview has some great system level diagrams:

github.com/opentraffic/otv2-platform

https://lemmy.sdf.org/pictrs/image/41825fe5-bbc2-4b5e-ab2a-8592de0cfb59.png

CoachDom,
@CoachDom@lemmy.blahaj.zone avatar

It looks really interesting - but unfortunately it seems it’s abandoned? Last time it was updated was 7 years ago…

notExactlyI20, (edited )
@notExactlyI20@lemmy.world avatar

OSMand has a feature where it can process other info as tiles on top of the base openstreetmap data it downloads, so what I did was pulling satellite and live traffic data from google and make them work as tiles and it works perfect (although it doesnt take traffic data into consideration when routing, it only shows it as a picture on top of the map, doesn’t bother me).

Schlemmy,

I’m addicted to Streetcomplete. I’m 20.000+ edits in. I make about 100 with ease on my commute to work.

moreeni,

You are a hero

merde,

once you complete every quest on your commute, what do you do?

parallel streets ✅

and then?

Nouveau_Burnswick,

Not parallel streets.

merde,

that turns the commute into a promenade

Schlemmy,

That’s exactly what happened. Fortunately I have 4 different offices and I can work from ‘home’ anywhere so sometimes I go work at a friend’s place instead of working at my place.

CjkOvPDwQw,
@CjkOvPDwQw@lemmygrad.ml avatar

You change your job to another location :)

Schlemmy,

There’s always more to tag. It’s crazy. But I started talking walks during my break.

One thing that I haven’t got to is tagging street width and that you can do by using your phones’ camera for measuring.

apt.izzysoft.de/…/de.westnordost.streetmeasure

merde, (edited )

In order to use this app, you will need to have the proprietary Google Play Services for AR app installed on your device as well.

🤐

edit: this is for StreetMeasure

Schlemmy,

_What are the system requirements of this app?

StreetComplete requires Android 5.0, and a screen size of at least 4.3" is recommend. Apart from that, any reasonably modern phone (at least 2GB RAM, around 500MB of free space) should support it. It doesn’t require Google Play Services_

Edit: You were aiming at Streetcomplete, I see now. This is in their FAQ:

According to our tests, it does work without Google Play Services being installed, but, as said before, the device needs to be compatible.

wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/StreetComplete/FAQ

merde,

i’m using streetComplete without google. It’s streetMeasure that requires Google Play Sevices

Schlemmy,

Apparently, per their own FAQ, it is possible to use it without Google Play Services.

Schlemmy,

_What are the system requirements of this app?

StreetComplete requires Android 5.0, and a screen size of at least 4.3" is recommend. Apart from that, any reasonably modern phone (at least 2GB RAM, around 500MB of free space) should support it. It doesn’t require Google Play Services_

gonzoknowsdotcom1,

It needs an iOS app

nexussapphire,

iOS apps generally require a $100 yearly fee to post to the app store and if they submitted a waiver as a nonprofit apple would probably take years to accept it.

Also apple has a tendency to quietly kill and/or stall small apps that pose a threat to features they incorporate into their os from what I’ve heard.

lukecooperatus,

Ugh yeah the small 4-person worker cooperative I’m part of has been trying to get Apple to let us enroll in their developer program for literally weeks now. Every time we clear some other nonsense requirement, there’s a new one right behind it; and we haven’t even gotten to the “pay $100 for the privilege of undergoing this process” part yet.

I can’t believe Apple ever managed to build an application ecosystem around their products when they are so unfriendly to developers.

Rexios,

What? If you’re going to pay for it you just sign up and pay… If you don’t have your company registered before attempting that that’s on you. And if you’re really desperate you could just use a personal developer account which you can set up in like 1 minute. Not sure how this is an issue for you.

gonzoknowsdotcom1,

Donations

2xsaiko,
@2xsaiko@discuss.tchncs.de avatar

Check out Go Map!!, it’s also open source and has a similar feature to StreetComplete with its quests, at least from what I’ve heard about how StreetComplete works.

jabberati,
@jabberati@social.anoxinon.de avatar

@gonzoknowsdotcom1 @Schlemmy Maybe not as much fun as StreetComplete, but checkout the Every Door app: https://every-door.app/

gonzoknowsdotcom1,

vote and comment here github.com/streetcomplete/StreetComplete/…/5230

caos,

@gonzoknowsdotcom1 This app doesn't seem quite as entertaining as , but it is also available for :
" editor for POIs and entrances."
every-door.app/
Furthermore, it is also very easy to edit data with : organicmaps.app/de/
@Schlemmy

gonzoknowsdotcom1,

agreed

flip0xfff,
@flip0xfff@mastodon.social avatar

@caos @Schlemmy @gonzoknowsdotcom1 #EveryDoor is great, I use it alongside #StreetComplete as it has more attributes that can be set. First StreetComplete until no tasks are left, then EveryDoor for more details.

agent_flounder,
@agent_flounder@lemmy.one avatar

I installed it. Judging by the mass of blank info, I guess I’m the only person around here using it lol. 😳

joeldebruijn,

I became nr 10 or so in my country just by adding nearly everything SC can ask in … a 10 block radius around my house.😁

agent_flounder,
@agent_flounder@lemmy.one avatar

I am never getting lost in my own neighborhood again!! (Me irl)

kambusha,

Cool! Never seen this before. Just downloaded and signed up.

Undearius,
@Undearius@lemmy.ca avatar

Another recommendation, especially for addresses and points of interest, is every-door.app

It’s not as pretty as StreetConplete but it’s fine to work with.

OnopordumAcanthium,
@OnopordumAcanthium@lemmy.ml avatar

Honestly, thanks for your post. It inspired me to actually download the app and i solved a bit of issues around my area today.

It’s actually fun and it also helps other people and increase the quality of OSM overall. This could motivate me to also just go for a walk instead of hanging in front of my computer so again: thx for your post <3

CoachDom,
@CoachDom@lemmy.blahaj.zone avatar

That was my thinking. The OSM is only as good as we make it so the more people know how to fix it, the better for the community 😉

redcalcium,

There is a “road” near my house in OSM that does not exist and OSM is always trying to route me though it, which is very annoying. Is there any way to mark them for removal? StreetComplete doesn’t seem to have that capability.

gens,

I have a similar problem. Two entrances to my building got their numbers reversed.

If anybody knows if the app can fix it, i’l get it and make an account.

eeleech,

It should be possible using the address overlay in the app. Otherwise you could leave a note or use the web based editor on the OSM homepage.

Tiuku,

You can always long press on a problematic place and leave a freeform note. A more experienced mapper can then fix the issue.

StorageAware,

You could use the editor on the website which although messy, would work fine for removing a road on mobile. Or you can use an app like Vespucci which is more advanced, but it also has a bit more of a learning curve. Or you can create a note like others have recommended but depending on the activity in the area might not be seen for a while.

redcalcium,

Wow you’re right! I didn’t know they have an online editor. I thought the app is the only way to submit changes. I’m able to delete the section of the road that don’t actually exist in my area, let’s see if the changes will be accepted. Thanks!

StorageAware,

Yep, StreetComplete is one of the many editors for OpenStreetMap! Just to name a few:

Mobile (Android & iOS Mixed):

  • Vespucci.
  • EveryDoor
  • Go Map!!

Desktop:

  • iD (the online editor on the website)
  • RapiD
  • JOSM
  • Level0

And many more! There’s a list on the OpenStreetMap wiki.

domesticstreetcat,

StreetComplete is awesome and so easy to use.

whome,

It’s exceptionally will designed and programmed in my experience. UX and UI design is very professional.

UraniumBlazer,

Oh heck yea! My neighborhood is better mapped on OSM than Google Maps even now! Very fulfilling to see.

echodot,

My shed is mapped in OSM.

Meanwhile Google maps has not got the shed and has the entirety of my property about 10 ft east of its actual location. Essentially terraced up to a neighbouring property even though it’s not connected to that property and there is an alleyway.

But I suppose I could say that doesn’t really matter for street navigation, which is what Google maps is actually for.

UraniumBlazer,

Naaah mate… it can matter a lot lol. We have a road closure (for the past few months) in our neighborhood. Google maps still hasn’t updated it. I routinely see drivers driving up to it and getting annoyed for having to turn back. This wouldn’t have happened had they used OSM tho!

ovec,
@ovec@lemmy.wtf avatar

Hmm. I dislike that it uploads every thing as a separate change. I much more prefer editing the whole area and saving it as one neat package, rather than posting hundreds of “this is road is made of asphalt” posts.

So it’s not for me, but if that helps to make OSM better, I’m all for it!

Maybe I could make a separate account without neat history and from time to time click some icons in the app though. That probably wouldn’t bother me as much.

joeldebruijn,

it doesnt close a changeset after every single change, at least it shouldnt. mmv but if I close the app for some time it bundles my changes in one OSM set

MazonnaCara89,
@MazonnaCara89@lemmy.ml avatar

No it doesn’t close changeset on every change, 30 days ago I added 123 house numbers in my city with streetcomplete and all of them were in the same changeset.

dXq9dwg4zt,

I can confirm that it works even if you only provide it with internet access periodically (e.g. on a wifi-only device).

twistypencil,

You can do all of that with this

StorageAware,

It actually bundles answers to a certain quest together if I remember correctly. For example, all road surface quests within a certain time (about an hour?) are grouped into one change set. Though if you did one road surface quests and one opening hours quests they would uploaded as two separate change sets.

MazonnaCara89,
@MazonnaCara89@lemmy.ml avatar

And rember Pokemon Go uses osm for their data so you are making an impact on them too.

HamSandwichGenerator,

Just downloaded this today and going nuts making contributions in my neighborhood. Thanks so much for the suggestion!

urshanabi,
@urshanabi@lemmygrad.ml avatar

Does anyone know of OSM street view equivalents like KartaView allow for campus street view? It seems like it’s only available for roads you can access with a car.

goldfndr,

If you’re asking about more imagery coverage, Mapillary has a lot. The wiki has a list of street-level imagery articles.

OpenStreetMap is more about the map database, so any imagery association tends to be loose, and is more for use as a useable source for ground truth.

urshanabi,
@urshanabi@lemmygrad.ml avatar

Wow, cartography is a whole thing I have never really taken a look at. This is super cool, thanks for the share! I don’t like that Mapillary is owned by Facebook/Meta :/

I will take a look at the resources you have sent though!

CjkOvPDwQw,
@CjkOvPDwQw@lemmygrad.ml avatar

This yes, ever since someone mentioned StreetComplete, I have been using it and love it ! Super easy to contribute. The only thing missing is the ability to add nodes. But that I usually do on a computer/ or using Organic Maps android app.

goldfndr,

Have you checked out Every Door?

CjkOvPDwQw,
@CjkOvPDwQw@lemmygrad.ml avatar

Yes I did currently using it to add nodes of shops, the mechanic of adding entrances still don’t get it … (Started using the app yesterday)

Zacryon,

I don’t really know or use Open Street Map, so I wonder:

Can everyone just manipulate the map data? Is there some sort of control mechanism or is it easy to incorporate fake data?

I’m asking because this seems to be a really fallible concept, where people with malicious intents would have an easy way to disturb Open Street Map.

brainlessnick,

Yes, but similar to Wikipedia (where the same holds true) the forces fo good and honest seem to prevail.

schnurrito,

Even more than on Wikipedia. The problem with Wikipedia is it tries to use a wiki to write about contentious issues like politics, culture war, religion, national conflicts etc. too and wikis just aren’t a very suitable mechanism for that. OSM tries to limit itself to completely objective facts about the world, wikis are very well suited for that.

Takios,
@Takios@feddit.de avatar

I recently contributed a business change and got a message a few hours later that I had made a mistake and a small explanation on how to fix it.

This probably depends on the area, but at least changes in my area seem to be monitored by good people.

schnurrito,

It is a wiki. While anyone can add fake data, there are monitoring tools to make sure that if someone does that, others will notice and remove it again.

Rhllor,

Yes and no. If I remember correctly, it was pokemon go utilizing OSM for the kind of Pokemon you could find in a given area which led to some manipulation. You could probably also get away with changing or hiding something in Nowhere, Idaho.

The bigger issue is probably outdated data. Shops or restaurants in urban areas change fairly quickly, it’s quite hard to keep up with those.

Shaul,

It seems like a very helpful service. I don’t use cell data which means no GPS to contribute to it. I only use apps through wi-fi exclusively.

oo1,

does it need cell-data? why? that surprises me; but then again maybe not . . .

dXq9dwg4zt,

It does not.

twistypencil,

Nope, doesn’t need cell data

sixfold,
@sixfold@lemmy.sdf.org avatar

Pretty sure you can download the maps ahead of time, GPS doesn’t require data, then upload the fixes when you get home.

twistypencil,

This is what I do, works great

twistypencil,

Street complete is amazing. I’ve been obsessed with it for a couple years. I never would have made hundreds of OSM submissions without it. Whenever I’m bored, sitting in some place waiting, instead of doom scrolling, I pull out up and see if there is anything I can contribute to the area

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