5 ms·

I prefer OSM to Google Maps when looking at maps. You get better maps with more detail. But, I have to back to GM to find anything with an address. The busin

I prefer OSM to Google Maps when looking at maps. You get better maps with more detail. But, I have to back to GM to find anything with an address. The business database on OSM is poor, and I don't think the system for estimating the location of an address on a street has been particularly good either. They were terrible years ago on GM, so this is part of the evolution. But I can see how OSM will end up better than GM, like Wikipedia over Encyclopedia Brittanica, but it needs a bit more to get there. Btw: the online process to make changes on OSM is wonderful and encouraging.

SergeAx 4y ago
On the other hand, when I need to find a nearest trash container in a new location - OSM is always there for me.
dont__panic 4y ago
Google is on a warpath of advertising to the detriment of its base products. Nowhere is this more apparent to me than Google Maps, mostly because there isn't a great alternative if I want to find businesses near me. Everyone who can help OSM should. There's no reason OSM can't be a wikipedia-quality product, to the point where close source, advertising-beholden alternatives can't meaningfully compete. Add businesses in your town today! Add business hours if you can! Fix any errors you see. And try to switch to OSM for everything you can. Every little bit helps.
- aqfamnzc 4y ago
  There are a lot of problems that still need to be solved with OSM to make it on par with GM's overall utility. (I say that as a very active local OSM contributor and data consumer) Reviews, geocoding, political issues within the OSMF, and incomplete address information to name a few. Some of them can be solved by having more active local mappers, but others I don't have an easy answer for. Hopefully these are growing pains, as I desperately want to see OSM succeed.

5 ms·

I prefer OSM to Google Maps when looking at maps. You get better maps with more detail. But, I have to back to GM to find anything with an address. The busin

by lallysingh 4y ago

SergeAx 4y ago
On the other hand, when I need to find a nearest trash container in a new location - OSM is always there for me.
dont__panic 4y ago
Google is on a warpath of advertising to the detriment of its base products. Nowhere is this more apparent to me than Google Maps, mostly because there isn't a great alternative if I want to find businesses near me. Everyone who can help OSM should. There's no reason OSM can't be a wikipedia-quality product, to the point where close source, advertising-beholden alternatives can't meaningfully compete. Add businesses in your town today! Add business hours if you can! Fix any errors you see. And try to switch to OSM for everything you can. Every little bit helps.
- aqfamnzc 4y ago
  There are a lot of problems that still need to be solved with OSM to make it on par with GM's overall utility. (I say that as a very active local OSM contributor and data consumer) Reviews, geocoding, political issues within the OSMF, and incomplete address information to name a few. Some of them can be solved by having more active local mappers, but others I don't have an easy answer for. Hopefully these are growing pains, as I desperately want to see OSM succeed.