Josselyn,
I'm 2.4 one 10.9.4 Mac as well! So glad I don't have to reboot into Windows or
run Parallels just to get at full strength GIS.
I think what you are looking for is described quite well in the QGIS Training
Manual (page 3 of the current edition) where it describe how to download the
data needed for the training exercises.
Its a two or three step process depending how you look at it.
1) Go to the menu item Vector -> OpenStreetMap -> Download Data. From there
you can choose between the current canvas, a specific layer or manual entry for
how much of OpenStreetMap you want to download. Browse to a file name to save
the result to - you will need to find this again later. That should be quite a
quick download.
2) Add Vector Layer (using the button or the menu route) and for the Dataset
Source browse to the file you just saved. It should end in ".osm". The dialog
is now ready to select Open. That should then bring up a list of five data
types you can download. They are divided by data type, not content. For
example, if you now select the "points" and "lines" items and then press OK you
will get generically named "lines' and "points" layers in your project.
3) I usually download each data type and keep that as an original layer before
I start to copy them and create the transportation routes or settlements I need
on layers. Thats the third step if you want to separate the last two.
Now all your data is in vector form and on your computer so it should load
quickly compared to online sources.
Hope that helps.
John Harrop
Vancouver Canada
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