4 ms·

You are right when it comes to streets and bicycle lanes and such. When talking about usability, display quality and search, not so much. I realize the value li

by pronik 9y ago

You are right when it comes to streets and bicycle lanes and such. When talking about usability, display quality and search, not so much. I realize the value lies in the data, but for the casual map user there is a long way for OSM to go. Besides, I don't see any reason why Google can't add OpenStreetMap as an additional data source in some or all areas (right in the spirit of the article). It will be interesting to see how the usage and development of OSM changes if that really happens.

Brakenshire 9y ago
OSM has a GPL-like data license. You cannot combine it with another data source without releasing the combined data source.
- themacks 9y ago
  If the OSM database is used as is and not used to modify any of their existing data, the existing data wouldn't have to be released. IANAL, but it seems to me that the data could be used in conjunction with existing data for the purposes of rendering tiles and not require releasing any other data sources. https://opendatacommons.org/licenses/odbl/1.0/ https://opendatacommons.org/licenses/odbl/1.0/
- rmc 9y ago
  ish. You can generate a map image of it, and combine that with other data and that only requires attribution
rmc 9y ago
> I don't see any reason why Google can't add OpenStreetMap as an additional data source in some or all areas (right in the spirit of the article). The OSM licence requires that if you merge another database with it, you need to release the other database under the same licence as OSM. I can't see Google doing that.
lucb1e 9y ago
The display quality is equal or better: now that I'm used to OSM, I find it completely impossible to orient myself on Google Maps. There is so much more information at a glance on OSM, whereas for Google you have to go to the highest zoom level to see all POIs. Smaller, local shops are often hidden by large chain brands that Google deems more important, and they don't show up until the shop's building almost covers your whole screen. Rather than showing the icon without a name, so you know what's there just not which specific brand, it just shows you nothing. As for search... yeah that company owns search. I'm not surprised they excel at that one :)

by pronik 9y ago

Brakenshire 9y ago

OSM has a GPL-like data license. You cannot combine it with another data source without releasing the combined data source.

themacks 9y ago
If the OSM database is used as is and not used to modify any of their existing data, the existing data wouldn't have to be released. IANAL, but it seems to me that the data could be used in conjunction with existing data for the purposes of rendering tiles and not require releasing any other data sources. https://opendatacommons.org/licenses/odbl/1.0/ https://opendatacommons.org/licenses/odbl/1.0/
rmc 9y ago
ish. You can generate a map image of it, and combine that with other data and that only requires attribution

rmc 9y ago

> I don't see any reason why Google can't add OpenStreetMap as an additional data source in some or all areas (right in the spirit of the article). The OSM licence requires that if you merge another database with it, you need to release the other database under the same licence as OSM. I can't see Google doing that.

lucb1e 9y ago

The display quality is equal or better: now that I'm used to OSM, I find it completely impossible to orient myself on Google Maps. There is so much more information at a glance on OSM, whereas for Google you have to go to the highest zoom level to see all POIs. Smaller, local shops are often hidden by large chain brands that Google deems more important, and they don't show up until the shop's building almost covers your whole screen. Rather than showing the icon without a name, so you know what's there just not which specific brand, it just shows you nothing. As for search... yeah that company owns search. I'm not surprised they excel at that one :)