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In some places it sure as hell would improve Google Maps if they would (be able to?) include OSM data. Compare for example Sarajevo on Google Maps at http://goo

In some places it sure as hell would improve Google Maps if they would (be able to?) include OSM data. Compare for example Sarajevo on Google Maps at http://goo.gl/maps/kc3yP http://goo.gl/maps/kc3yP to its OSM counterpart at http://osm.org/go/xfYWiLv8-- http://osm.org/go/xfYWiLv8-- .

graue 14y ago
Yeah, this looks pretty neglected by Google. Interesting comparison. I couldn't help noticing that the GMaps link loads instantly while this (much more useful) OSM link took nearly 20 seconds to fully load.
- nine_k 14y ago
  Try reloading. I think g.maps code was already in your browser's cache, while OSM's was not.
- rmc 14y ago
  Partially that's the obvious due to Google having, like a bajillion servers, and OSM having like 2 dozen. However the advantage of OSM is that it's the data, and you can render your own maps on your own hardware, and depending on your budget, make it as fast as possible.
buro9 14y ago
Even in the UK I still find Google has gaps where OSM does not. In a recent trip to Bristol I was staying at a guest house on Exchange Avenue: Google: https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Bristol,+United+Kingdom&aq=0&oq=bristol&sll=43.856811,18.304939&sspn=0.17255,0.266075&vpsrc=6&g=sarajevo&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Bristol,+United+Kingdom&ll=51.45384,-2.593739&spn=0.00233,0.004157&t=m&z=18 https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&#3... OSM: http://www.openstreetmap.org/?lat=51.454096&lon=-2.593978&zoom=18&layers=M http://www.openstreetmap.org/?lat=51.454096&lon=-2.59397... The truth lies somewhere between the various maps out there. In some places Google rules, in others OSM rules. Occasionally, neither rules and usually some local mapping does. I like that there's competition to keep all of them on their toes, and I very much like that one of the contenders is a community project.
- jlgreco 14y ago
  I find that even in heavily populated areas in the US, OSM tends to best Google in the case of trails and paths in parks, and biking routes. I suspect this is a case that is particularly well suited for crowd-sourcing though, since these are the sort of places people who enjoy mapping are likely to enjoy exploring the most.

graue 14y ago

Yeah, this looks pretty neglected by Google. Interesting comparison. I couldn't help noticing that the GMaps link loads instantly while this (much more useful) OSM link took nearly 20 seconds to fully load.

nine_k 14y ago
Try reloading. I think g.maps code was already in your browser's cache, while OSM's was not.
rmc 14y ago
Partially that's the obvious due to Google having, like a bajillion servers, and OSM having like 2 dozen. However the advantage of OSM is that it's the data, and you can render your own maps on your own hardware, and depending on your budget, make it as fast as possible.

buro9 14y ago

Even in the UK I still find Google has gaps where OSM does not. In a recent trip to Bristol I was staying at a guest house on Exchange Avenue: Google: https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Bristol,+United+Kingdom&aq=0&oq=bristol&sll=43.856811,18.304939&sspn=0.17255,0.266075&vpsrc=6&g=sarajevo&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Bristol,+United+Kingdom&ll=51.45384,-2.593739&spn=0.00233,0.004157&t=m&z=18 https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&#3... OSM: http://www.openstreetmap.org/?lat=51.454096&lon=-2.593978&zoom=18&layers=M http://www.openstreetmap.org/?lat=51.454096&lon=-2.59397... The truth lies somewhere between the various maps out there. In some places Google rules, in others OSM rules. Occasionally, neither rules and usually some local mapping does. I like that there's competition to keep all of them on their toes, and I very much like that one of the contenders is a community project.

jlgreco 14y ago
I find that even in heavily populated areas in the US, OSM tends to best Google in the case of trails and paths in parks, and biking routes. I suspect this is a case that is particularly well suited for crowd-sourcing though, since these are the sort of places people who enjoy mapping are likely to enjoy exploring the most.