The Core

Why We Are Here => Hardware & Technology => Topic started by: littleman on July 15, 2018, 06:55:28 PM

Title: OpenStreetMap -- free to use maps, clean license, API available
Post by: littleman on July 15, 2018, 06:55:28 PM
A very cool project that could be really useful:

https://switch2osm.org/
https://www.openstreetmap.org/

Licensed under the Open Data Commons Open Database License  (https://opendatacommons.org/licenses/odbl/).
Title: Re: OpenStreetMap -- free to use maps, clean license, API available
Post by: rcjordan on July 15, 2018, 08:12:54 PM
OSM has been around long enough to trust it when building content. When I first heard of it some years ago, it was sketchy.  I think the general concern that Big G is taking over the world has served to push more development.
Title: Re: OpenStreetMap -- free to use maps, clean license, API available
Post by: littleman on July 15, 2018, 09:52:26 PM
>OSM has been around long enough...

For me to apparently forget about it!  Pretty amazing though that its as high quality as it is and that you could tap right into it with API access.

>...to trust it when building content.

Looks like Pokémon Go used it.
Title: Re: OpenStreetMap -- free to use maps, clean license, API available
Post by: rcjordan on July 16, 2018, 12:57:45 AM
>forget

I suspect a lot of people have. G Maps blocks out the sun now.  But for developers, the G api key limits were too limited for, say, a broad, popular resort network.  And GM leads your traffic off-site.

*IF* you're using OSM at the street address level rather than a mile-high 'general info' view, I'd suggest spot-checking the important addresses. There used to be some holes --though I suspect they're filled in by now.