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I like the constant updates and community behind OpenStreetMap. I'm thinking, would there be a particular reason why a developer would choose Google Maps instea

by mtw 11y ago

I like the constant updates and community behind OpenStreetMap. I'm thinking, would there be a particular reason why a developer would choose Google Maps instead of OpenStreetMap for a new application? I don't know if there are any major flaws

simcop2387 11y ago
Only one I know of is data availability in an area you need, or possibly better routing support (I haven't done anything with that in OSM before).
- danpat 11y ago
  Check out http://project-osrm.org/ http://project-osrm.org/ for routing. Disclosure: I work for Mapbox, we offer a directions service based on OSRM, I'm paid to work on it daily.
- rmc 11y ago
  As well as OSRM, there's also GraphHopper.
frenchy 11y ago
Here's some examples: * Telnav Scout: a typical GPS/navigation app. I guess figure using OpenStreetMaps is better than their proprietary data, and they don't want to be competing with Google and depending on Google for data at the same time. * Humanitarian Organizations (HOT): it turns out that you can get volunteers to trace maps from satellite imagery for remote places that have no other maps. * Backcountry/mountaineering: a lot of places in the mountains are poorly mapped in Google Maps. OSM is a lot easier to edit, and supports a lot more features when it comes to describing terrain and whatnot.
Doctor_Fegg 11y ago
The main reasons that someone would still choose Google, as I (a long-term OSM developer) see it: - Address search. OSM has lousy address coverage. - One single provider, works out of the box. OSM is much more flexible in the long run, but you can't just plug in an "OpenStreetMap API" and expect it to do everything for you. (That said, Mapbox is going a long way towards providing this.) - Satellite imagery. (Again, you can get this from a reseller like Mapbox.) - StreetView. - Public transport directions. - Familiarity.
- toomuchtodo 11y ago
  https://www.mapillary.com/ https://www.mapillary.com/ is working on a crowd sourced Creative Commons licensed street view data source.
  - sackofmugs 11y ago
    Looks really cool. I am doing a project that relies heavily on Google Street View photos, and having an open dataset would be amazing. Is there any guarantee that Mapillary will always offer the user-contributed photos to the public for free download? And if they disappear, that all the photos will still be available?
- fludlight 11y ago
  How could OSM's address coverage be improved?
  - lucaspiller 11y ago
    Go to http://www.openstreetmap.org/ http://www.openstreetmap.org/, find your street, click 'Edit', login or create an account, and make sure your local area is correctly classified. You can mark an area as a building and give it tags to say what the address and street number is.
    - mtw 11y ago
      I don't think Google mapped every street single address to a set of lat/long?? There must be mathematical formula to map a street address, knowing how the city allocated street numbers
      - rmc 11y ago
        Oh dear. Maybe in some places, which has a sensible and consistant addressing format. But there are plenty of places where there is no rhyme or reason to it. Have a look at Germany in OSM. That's what crowdsourced maps can do.

by mtw 11y ago

simcop2387 11y ago

Only one I know of is data availability in an area you need, or possibly better routing support (I haven't done anything with that in OSM before).

danpat 11y ago
Check out http://project-osrm.org/ http://project-osrm.org/ for routing. Disclosure: I work for Mapbox, we offer a directions service based on OSRM, I'm paid to work on it daily.
rmc 11y ago
As well as OSRM, there's also GraphHopper.

frenchy 11y ago

Here's some examples: * Telnav Scout: a typical GPS/navigation app. I guess figure using OpenStreetMaps is better than their proprietary data, and they don't want to be competing with Google and depending on Google for data at the same time. * Humanitarian Organizations (HOT): it turns out that you can get volunteers to trace maps from satellite imagery for remote places that have no other maps. * Backcountry/mountaineering: a lot of places in the mountains are poorly mapped in Google Maps. OSM is a lot easier to edit, and supports a lot more features when it comes to describing terrain and whatnot.

Doctor_Fegg 11y ago

The main reasons that someone would still choose Google, as I (a long-term OSM developer) see it: - Address search. OSM has lousy address coverage. - One single provider, works out of the box. OSM is much more flexible in the long run, but you can't just plug in an "OpenStreetMap API" and expect it to do everything for you. (That said, Mapbox is going a long way towards providing this.) - Satellite imagery. (Again, you can get this from a reseller like Mapbox.) - StreetView. - Public transport directions. - Familiarity.

toomuchtodo 11y ago
https://www.mapillary.com/ https://www.mapillary.com/ is working on a crowd sourced Creative Commons licensed street view data source.
- sackofmugs 11y ago
  Looks really cool. I am doing a project that relies heavily on Google Street View photos, and having an open dataset would be amazing. Is there any guarantee that Mapillary will always offer the user-contributed photos to the public for free download? And if they disappear, that all the photos will still be available?
fludlight 11y ago
How could OSM's address coverage be improved?
- lucaspiller 11y ago
  Go to http://www.openstreetmap.org/ http://www.openstreetmap.org/, find your street, click 'Edit', login or create an account, and make sure your local area is correctly classified. You can mark an area as a building and give it tags to say what the address and street number is.
  - mtw 11y ago
    I don't think Google mapped every street single address to a set of lat/long?? There must be mathematical formula to map a street address, knowing how the city allocated street numbers
    - rmc 11y ago
      Oh dear. Maybe in some places, which has a sensible and consistant addressing format. But there are plenty of places where there is no rhyme or reason to it. Have a look at Germany in OSM. That's what crowdsourced maps can do.