Re: [Talk-us] [Imports] MassGIS Building Import Start

[Jeff Meyer]

I've added a link to this list from the Data Working Group's wiki page:
http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Data_working_group#User_Blocks


On Thu, Dec 13, 2012 at 7:50 AM, Paul Norman  wrote:

> > From: Toby Murray [mailto:toby.mur...@gmail.com]
> > Subject: Re: [Talk-us] [Imports] MassGIS Building Import Start
> >
> > I'm not sure if this page is actually linked to from anywhere but all
> > account blocks and the reasons they were put in place are viewable by
> > everybody on this page:
> > http://www.openstreetmap.org/user_blocks
>
> It is linked from somewhere but I'm not sure where. Adding a more obvious
> link would be up to the rails developers but in all honesty I can't think
> of
> a good place to link it from.
>
>
> ___
> Talk-us mailing list
> Talk-us@openstreetmap.org
> http://lists.openstreetmap.org/listinfo/talk-us
>



-- 
Jeff Meyer
Global World History Atlas
www.gwhat.org
j...@gwhat.org
206-676-2347
___
Talk-us mailing list
Talk-us@openstreetmap.org
http://lists.openstreetmap.org/listinfo/talk-us

Re: [Talk-us] [Imports] MassGIS Building Import Start

[Ian Dees]

On Thu, Dec 13, 2012 at 12:08 PM, Jeff Meyer  wrote:

> Agreed about having to deconflict after buildings are imported on top of
> other buildings. I didn't see any suggestion of that in Jason's process.
>
> In Seattle, we're looking at doing a manual comparison of each building
> way provided by the city to the building ways already in OSM. Essentially,
> manually copy the new buildings into the OSM data layer in JOSM, identify
> duplicates, compare, make sure all tags are kept in the desired way, then
> delete the undesired way, move to the next one. In my neighborhood, I've
> found that the city's shapes are better than my Bing traces 100% of the
> time. - Jeff
>

This is exactly what I found when doing the buildings in Chicago. I
manually merged the datasets and found that in almost every case the city's
data was better-aligned and more useful than the Bing-sourced data.
___
Talk-us mailing list
Talk-us@openstreetmap.org
http://lists.openstreetmap.org/listinfo/talk-us

Re: [Talk-us] [Imports] MassGIS Building Import Start

[Jeff Meyer]

Agreed about having to deconflict after buildings are imported on top of
other buildings. I didn't see any suggestion of that in Jason's process.

In Seattle, we're looking at doing a manual comparison of each building way
provided by the city to the building ways already in OSM. Essentially,
manually copy the new buildings into the OSM data layer in JOSM, identify
duplicates, compare, make sure all tags are kept in the desired way, then
delete the undesired way, move to the next one. In my neighborhood, I've
found that the city's shapes are better than my Bing traces 100% of the
time. - Jeff


On Thu, Dec 13, 2012 at 9:56 AM, Josh Doe  wrote:

> On Thu, Dec 13, 2012 at 12:46 PM, Jeff Meyer  wrote:
>
>> On Thu, Dec 13, 2012 at 8:55 AM, Josh Doe  wrote:
>>
>>> Obviously the number actually imported will be less, since I'm assuming
>>> there are a few structures already mapped in OSM. :)
>>
>>
>> Should there be an implicit assumption that structures already mapped in
>> OSM are of better quality than those being reviewed for import? Obviously,
>> there shouldn't be a blind overwrite or duplication, but the process Jason
>> has outlined involves a fair amount of curated review.
>>
>
> For the first take, yes, don't import any structures that are already
> mapped (or really, just overlap), which is what he seems to have done with
> the preprocessing step.
>
> It would be useful to create a second OSM file with structures that were
> excluded in this preprocessing step, so a second step could be to compare
> them in case MassGIS is more accurate or up to date than what is in OSM.
> Perhaps Jason has already done this, or at least saved the original
> database so this can then be run. It would be very messy to determine which
> buildings were excluded after the import is done, without looking at the
> full history of each building.
>
> -Josh
>



-- 
Jeff Meyer
Global World History Atlas
www.gwhat.org
j...@gwhat.org
206-676-2347
___
Talk-us mailing list
Talk-us@openstreetmap.org
http://lists.openstreetmap.org/listinfo/talk-us

Re: [Talk-us] [Imports] MassGIS Building Import Start

[Josh Doe]

On Thu, Dec 13, 2012 at 12:46 PM, Jeff Meyer  wrote:

> On Thu, Dec 13, 2012 at 8:55 AM, Josh Doe  wrote:
>
>> Obviously the number actually imported will be less, since I'm assuming
>> there are a few structures already mapped in OSM. :)
>
>
> Should there be an implicit assumption that structures already mapped in
> OSM are of better quality than those being reviewed for import? Obviously,
> there shouldn't be a blind overwrite or duplication, but the process Jason
> has outlined involves a fair amount of curated review.
>

For the first take, yes, don't import any structures that are already
mapped (or really, just overlap), which is what he seems to have done with
the preprocessing step.

It would be useful to create a second OSM file with structures that were
excluded in this preprocessing step, so a second step could be to compare
them in case MassGIS is more accurate or up to date than what is in OSM.
Perhaps Jason has already done this, or at least saved the original
database so this can then be run. It would be very messy to determine which
buildings were excluded after the import is done, without looking at the
full history of each building.

-Josh
___
Talk-us mailing list
Talk-us@openstreetmap.org
http://lists.openstreetmap.org/listinfo/talk-us

Re: [Talk-us] [Imports] MassGIS Building Import Start

[Paul Norman]

> From: Toby Murray [mailto:toby.mur...@gmail.com]
> Subject: Re: [Talk-us] [Imports] MassGIS Building Import Start
> 
> I'm not sure if this page is actually linked to from anywhere but all
> account blocks and the reasons they were put in place are viewable by
> everybody on this page:
> http://www.openstreetmap.org/user_blocks

It is linked from somewhere but I'm not sure where. Adding a more obvious
link would be up to the rails developers but in all honesty I can't think of
a good place to link it from.


___
Talk-us mailing list
Talk-us@openstreetmap.org
http://lists.openstreetmap.org/listinfo/talk-us

Re: [Talk-us] [Imports] MassGIS Building Import Start

[Toby Murray]

On Wed, Dec 12, 2012 at 11:47 PM, Jeff Meyer  wrote:
> IMO, the process by which blocks are placed, who does the asking of the user
> to follow the guidelines, and those with authority to block users needs to
> be documented and reviewed. If it already is, please provide a pointer.
> Strikes me as fairly ominous and potentially arbitrary.
>
> Can anyone point me to any documentation of this internal policing?
>
>
> On Wed, Dec 12, 2012 at 8:03 PM, Paul Norman  wrote:
>>
>> Imports which don’t follow the guidelines may be asked to stop or blocked.
>> This includes imports where the appropriate community consultation wasn’t
>> done, imports with legal problems, imports without a dedicated account, and
>> various weird problems.
>>
>>
>>
>> Most cases are dealt with via a private message or a 0-hour block which
>> forces them to log on to osm.org and read it.
>>
>>
>>
>> From: Jeff Meyer [mailto:j...@gwhat.org]
>> Sent: Wednesday, December 12, 2012 6:56 PM
>> To: Paul Norman
>> Cc: Jason Remillard; impo...@openstreetmap.org; OpenStreetMap US Talk
>> Subject: Re: [Talk-us] [Imports] MassGIS Building Import Start
>>
>>
>>
>> Paul - can you elaborate on the point about users being blocked if not
>> using a dedicated account?
>>
>>
>>
>> The guidelines don't point this out & it seems contrary to the spirit of
>> there being no "right" way of doing things in OSM. (Not a policy I agree
>> with, but que sera...).
>>
>>
>>
>> Who does the blocking?

I'm not sure if this page is actually linked to from anywhere but all
account blocks and the reasons they were put in place are viewable by
everybody on this page:
http://www.openstreetmap.org/user_blocks


Toby

___
Talk-us mailing list
Talk-us@openstreetmap.org
http://lists.openstreetmap.org/listinfo/talk-us

Re: [Talk-us] [Imports] MassGIS Building Import Start

[Jeff Meyer]

Paul - thanks for the link! I'll send a separate note to the DWG with my
concerns. - Jeff


On Wed, Dec 12, 2012 at 9:49 PM, Paul Norman  wrote:

> http://www.osmfoundation.org/wiki/Data_Working_Group
>
> ** **
>
> *From:* Jeff Meyer [mailto:j...@gwhat.org]
> *Sent:* Wednesday, December 12, 2012 9:47 PM
> *To:* Paul Norman
> *Cc:* impo...@openstreetmap.org; OpenStreetMap US Talk
>
> *Subject:* Re: [Talk-us] [Imports] MassGIS Building Import Start
>
> ** **
>
> IMO, the process by which blocks are placed, who does the asking of the
> user to follow the guidelines, and those with authority to block users
> needs to be documented and reviewed. If it already is, please provide a
> pointer. Strikes me as fairly ominous and potentially arbitrary. 
>
> ** **
>
> Can anyone point me to any documentation of this internal policing?
>
> ** **
>
> On Wed, Dec 12, 2012 at 8:03 PM, Paul Norman  wrote:
>
> Imports which don’t follow the guidelines may be asked to stop or blocked.
> This includes imports where the appropriate community consultation wasn’t
> done, imports with legal problems, imports without a dedicated account, and
> various weird problems.
>
>  
>
> Most cases are dealt with via a private message or a 0-hour block which
> forces them to log on to osm.org and read it.
>
>  
>
> *From:* Jeff Meyer [mailto:j...@gwhat.org]
> *Sent:* Wednesday, December 12, 2012 6:56 PM
> *To:* Paul Norman
> *Cc:* Jason Remillard; impo...@openstreetmap.org; OpenStreetMap US Talk
> *Subject:* Re: [Talk-us] [Imports] MassGIS Building Import Start
>
>  
>
> Paul - can you elaborate on the point about users being blocked if not
> using a dedicated account?
>
>  
>
> The guidelines don't point this out & it seems contrary to the spirit of
> there being no "right" way of doing things in OSM. (Not a policy I agree
> with, but que sera...).
>
>  
>
> Who does the blocking?
>
>  
>
> Thanks, Jeff
>
>  
>
>
>
> 
>
> ** **
>
> --
> Jeff Meyer
> Global World History Atlas
> www.gwhat.org
> j...@gwhat.org
> 206-676-2347
>
> 
>



-- 
Jeff Meyer
Global World History Atlas
www.gwhat.org
j...@gwhat.org
206-676-2347
___
Talk-us mailing list
Talk-us@openstreetmap.org
http://lists.openstreetmap.org/listinfo/talk-us

Re: [Talk-us] [Imports] MassGIS Building Import Start

[Paul Norman]

http://www.osmfoundation.org/wiki/Data_Working_Group

 

From: Jeff Meyer [mailto:j...@gwhat.org] 
Sent: Wednesday, December 12, 2012 9:47 PM
To: Paul Norman
Cc: impo...@openstreetmap.org; OpenStreetMap US Talk
Subject: Re: [Talk-us] [Imports] MassGIS Building Import Start

 

IMO, the process by which blocks are placed, who does the asking of the user
to follow the guidelines, and those with authority to block users needs to
be documented and reviewed. If it already is, please provide a pointer.
Strikes me as fairly ominous and potentially arbitrary. 

 

Can anyone point me to any documentation of this internal policing?

 

On Wed, Dec 12, 2012 at 8:03 PM, Paul Norman  wrote:

Imports which don't follow the guidelines may be asked to stop or blocked.
This includes imports where the appropriate community consultation wasn't
done, imports with legal problems, imports without a dedicated account, and
various weird problems.

 

Most cases are dealt with via a private message or a 0-hour block which
forces them to log on to osm.org and read it.

 

From: Jeff Meyer [mailto:j...@gwhat.org] 
Sent: Wednesday, December 12, 2012 6:56 PM
To: Paul Norman
Cc: Jason Remillard; impo...@openstreetmap.org; OpenStreetMap US Talk
Subject: Re: [Talk-us] [Imports] MassGIS Building Import Start

 

Paul - can you elaborate on the point about users being blocked if not using
a dedicated account?

 

The guidelines don't point this out & it seems contrary to the spirit of
there being no "right" way of doing things in OSM. (Not a policy I agree
with, but que sera...).

 

Who does the blocking?

 

Thanks, Jeff

 





 

-- 
Jeff Meyer
Global World History Atlas
www.gwhat.org
j...@gwhat.org
206-676-2347



___
Talk-us mailing list
Talk-us@openstreetmap.org
http://lists.openstreetmap.org/listinfo/talk-us

Re: [Talk-us] [Imports] MassGIS Building Import Start

[Paul Norman]

CanVec operates with each user using a dedicated account. Using a dedicated
account doesn't mean sharing an account.

 

From: Clifford Snow [mailto:cliff...@snowandsnow.us] 
Sent: Wednesday, December 12, 2012 8:37 PM
To: nicholas ingalls
Cc: OpenStreetMap US Talk
Subject: Re: [Talk-us] [Imports] MassGIS Building Import Start

 

 

 

On Wed, Dec 12, 2012 at 7:15 PM, nicholas ingalls
 wrote:

In regards to this and previous imports, I have found that this is by no
means the law when it comes to imports. In Canada we have / and still are in
the lengthy process of importing canvec data for the whole country. We do
this in a distributed approach. Each user can upload the data with their own
account. This is MUCH better in many cases as it encourages people to upload
the canvec data in their own area instead of a user sitting hundreds of
miles away uploading with a generic account. It also allows people to be
held responsible (in a good way) for their data. With a generic account
being used by multiple people mistakes are harder to track to the source. By
using individual accounts problems can be more easily tracked. Ie a user is
not fixing validator issues before uploading causing problems. With a single
user account tracking down the specific uploader is near impossible.

 

 

I agree with this approach, using individual user id instead of having to
create a new import id. We have at least two types of imports, manually by
users and bulk done by scripts as well as bots that correct problems. For
manually imports I feel using the existing id should be sufficient. For bulk
imports, which large needs to be defined, a separate id might be useful.  

 

To make it real clear, to me a manual import is cutting and pasting one or
more elements (nodes, ways, polygons and multipolygons.) Bulk imports use
scripts, such as bulk_upload.py. 

 

Where the Mass import is being done manually, I'd go with their plan to use
existing user ids. If the user screws up one import, the others might be
perfect. Would we expect to remove all of their other imports for one error,
or just expect the user to correct the problem? I don't think so. 

 

It might help the community to explain exactly why a new id is necessary and
what harm not using a separate id creates. I know this criteria has been
discussed at length on the discussion list, but I have yet to register any
compelling reasoning. 

-- 

Clifford

 

OpenStreetMap: Maps with a human touch

 

___
Talk-us mailing list
Talk-us@openstreetmap.org
http://lists.openstreetmap.org/listinfo/talk-us

Re: [Talk-us] [Imports] MassGIS Building Import Start

[Jeff Meyer]

IMO, the process by which blocks are placed, who does the asking of the
user to follow the guidelines, and those with authority to block users
needs to be documented and reviewed. If it already is, please provide a
pointer. Strikes me as fairly ominous and potentially arbitrary.

Can anyone point me to any documentation of this internal policing?


On Wed, Dec 12, 2012 at 8:03 PM, Paul Norman  wrote:

> Imports which don’t follow the guidelines may be asked to stop or blocked.
> This includes imports where the appropriate community consultation wasn’t
> done, imports with legal problems, imports without a dedicated account, and
> various weird problems.
>
> ** **
>
> Most cases are dealt with via a private message or a 0-hour block which
> forces them to log on to osm.org and read it.
>
> ** **
>
> *From:* Jeff Meyer [mailto:j...@gwhat.org]
> *Sent:* Wednesday, December 12, 2012 6:56 PM
> *To:* Paul Norman
> *Cc:* Jason Remillard; impo...@openstreetmap.org; OpenStreetMap US Talk
> *Subject:* Re: [Talk-us] [Imports] MassGIS Building Import Start
>
> ** **
>
> Paul - can you elaborate on the point about users being blocked if not
> using a dedicated account?
>
> ** **
>
> The guidelines don't point this out & it seems contrary to the spirit of
> there being no "right" way of doing things in OSM. (Not a policy I agree
> with, but que sera...).
>
> ** **
>
> Who does the blocking?
>
> ** **
>
> Thanks, Jeff
>
> ** **
>



-- 
Jeff Meyer
Global World History Atlas
www.gwhat.org
j...@gwhat.org
206-676-2347
___
Talk-us mailing list
Talk-us@openstreetmap.org
http://lists.openstreetmap.org/listinfo/talk-us

Re: [Talk-us] [Imports] MassGIS Building Import Start

[Clifford Snow]

On Wed, Dec 12, 2012 at 7:15 PM, nicholas ingalls <
nicholas.inga...@gmail.com> wrote:

> In regards to this and previous imports, I have found that this is by no
> means the law when it comes to imports. In Canada we have / and still are
> in the lengthy process of importing canvec data for the whole country. We
> do this in a distributed approach. Each user can upload the data with their
> own account. This is MUCH better in many cases as it encourages people to
> upload the canvec data in their own area instead of a user sitting hundreds
> of miles away uploading with a generic account. It also allows people to be
> held responsible (in a good way) for their data. With a generic account
> being used by multiple people mistakes are harder to track to the source.
> By using individual accounts problems can be more easily tracked. Ie a user
> is not fixing validator issues before uploading causing problems. With a
> single user account tracking down the specific uploader is near impossible.
>
>
I agree with this approach, using individual user id instead of having to
create a new import id. We have at least two types of imports, manually by
users and bulk done by scripts as well as bots that correct problems. For
manually imports I feel using the existing id should be sufficient. For
bulk imports, which large needs to be defined, a separate id might be
useful.

To make it real clear, to me a manual import is cutting and pasting one or
more elements (nodes, ways, polygons and multipolygons.) Bulk imports use
scripts, such as bulk_upload.py.

Where the Mass import is being done manually, I'd go with their plan to use
existing user ids. If the user screws up one import, the others might be
perfect. Would we expect to remove all of their other imports for one
error, or just expect the user to correct the problem? I don't think so.

It might help the community to explain exactly why a new id is necessary
and what harm not using a separate id creates. I know this criteria has
been discussed at length on the discussion list, but I have yet to register
any compelling reasoning.
-- 
Clifford

OpenStreetMap: Maps with a human touch
___
Talk-us mailing list
Talk-us@openstreetmap.org
http://lists.openstreetmap.org/listinfo/talk-us

Re: [Talk-us] [Imports] MassGIS Building Import Start

[Paul Norman]

Imports which don't follow the guidelines may be asked to stop or blocked.
This includes imports where the appropriate community consultation wasn't
done, imports with legal problems, imports without a dedicated account, and
various weird problems.

 

Most cases are dealt with via a private message or a 0-hour block which
forces them to log on to osm.org and read it.

 

From: Jeff Meyer [mailto:j...@gwhat.org] 
Sent: Wednesday, December 12, 2012 6:56 PM
To: Paul Norman
Cc: Jason Remillard; impo...@openstreetmap.org; OpenStreetMap US Talk
Subject: Re: [Talk-us] [Imports] MassGIS Building Import Start

 

Paul - can you elaborate on the point about users being blocked if not using
a dedicated account?

 

The guidelines don't point this out & it seems contrary to the spirit of
there being no "right" way of doing things in OSM. (Not a policy I agree
with, but que sera...).

 

Who does the blocking?

 

Thanks, Jeff

 

___
Talk-us mailing list
Talk-us@openstreetmap.org
http://lists.openstreetmap.org/listinfo/talk-us

Re: [Talk-us] [Imports] MassGIS Building Import Start

[nicholas ingalls]

In regards to this and previous imports, I have found that this is by no
means the law when it comes to imports. In Canada we have / and still are
in the lengthy process of importing canvec data for the whole country. We
do this in a distributed approach. Each user can upload the data with their
own account. This is MUCH better in many cases as it encourages people to
upload the canvec data in their own area instead of a user sitting hundreds
of miles away uploading with a generic account. It also allows people to be
held responsible (in a good way) for their data. With a generic account
being used by multiple people mistakes are harder to track to the source.
By using individual accounts problems can be more easily tracked. Ie a user
is not fixing validator issues before uploading causing problems. With a
single user account tracking down the specific uploader is near impossible.

Just my two cents.

tl;dr Using individual accounts is better as it promotes uploading data in
ones area.

cheers,
ingalls


On Wed, Dec 12, 2012 at 10:56 PM, Jeff Meyer  wrote:

> Paul - can you elaborate on the point about users being blocked if not
> using a dedicated account?
>
> The guidelines don't point this out & it seems contrary to the spirit of
> there being no "right" way of doing things in OSM. (Not a policy I agree
> with, but que sera...).
>
> Who does the blocking?
>
> Thanks, Jeff
>
>
> On Wed, Dec 12, 2012 at 6:49 PM, Paul Norman  wrote:
>
>> A couple of initial comments: 
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> Has some kind of simplify been run on the data? Although most of the
>> buildings are quite good some of the curved ones are overnoded (e.g.
>> http://took.paulnorman.ca/imports/massgis/noded.png)
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> If your documentation conflicts with the requirements of the import
>> guidelines (
>> http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Import/Guidelines#Use_a_dedicated_user_account)
>> around a dedicated account it may lead to people importing your data
>> getting blocked.
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> You’ve asked for a check of the reprojection in the data directory but I
>> don’t actually see a data directory anywhere. Could you provide a link?
>>
>> 
>>
>> *From:* Jason Remillard [mailto:remillard.ja...@gmail.com]
>> *Sent:* Wednesday, December 12, 2012 5:15 PM
>> *To:* talk-us@openstreetmap.org; impo...@openstreetmap.org
>> *Subject:* [Talk-us] MassGIS Building Import Start
>>
>> ** **
>>
>> Hello Everybody,
>>
>>  
>>
>> I would like to kick off the MassGIS building import. This following is
>> copy/paste from the current wiki (
>> http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/MassGIS_Buildings_Import). The
>> external links will work on the wiki.
>>
>>  
>>
>> --
>>
>>  
>>
>> On Dec, 2012 MassGIS  released
>> a high quality data layer for all 
>> buildings
>>  in
>> the entire state of MA. Previously 
>> MassGIS only
>> had buildings for Boston and its nearby suburbs.
>>
>> The plan is as follows.
>>
>> *Source Data License*
>>
>> All MassGIS  data is in the
>> public domain. See MassGIS  page,
>> and talk-us 
>> archives
>>  for
>> detailed discussion. A previous (incomplete) version of this data that
>> covers the Boston area has already been imported.
>>
>> From the MA Secretary of state Office Frequently Asked 
>> Questions,
>> first question is
>>
>> What records are public?
>>
>> Every document, paper, record, *map*, photograph, etc., as defined by
>> law, that is made or received by a government entity or employee is
>> presumed to be a public record
>>
>> From the MA Secretary of state Duplication 
>> Services,
>> last section.
>>
>> Records created by Massachusetts government are not copyrighted and are
>> available for public use. Copyright for materials submitted to state
>> agencies may be held by the person or organization that created the
>> document. Patrons are responsible for clearing copyright on such materials.
>> For more information on copyright law, please see the U.S. Copyright
>> Office's web page at lcweb.loc.gov/copyright.
>>
>> *Scripts*
>>
>> A script was written to convert MassGIS shp files to OSM file. Each town
>> has its own zip. Inside of the zip is two OSM files. The first file has all
>> of the buildings, the second file has only the buildings missing from OSM.
>> This has been completed, data is 
>> here.
>> jremillard will up

Re: [Talk-us] [Imports] MassGIS Building Import Start

[Jeff Meyer]

Paul - can you elaborate on the point about users being blocked if not
using a dedicated account?

The guidelines don't point this out & it seems contrary to the spirit of
there being no "right" way of doing things in OSM. (Not a policy I agree
with, but que sera...).

Who does the blocking?

Thanks, Jeff


On Wed, Dec 12, 2012 at 6:49 PM, Paul Norman  wrote:

> A couple of initial comments: 
>
> ** **
>
> Has some kind of simplify been run on the data? Although most of the
> buildings are quite good some of the curved ones are overnoded (e.g.
> http://took.paulnorman.ca/imports/massgis/noded.png)
>
> ** **
>
> If your documentation conflicts with the requirements of the import
> guidelines (
> http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Import/Guidelines#Use_a_dedicated_user_account)
> around a dedicated account it may lead to people importing your data
> getting blocked.
>
> ** **
>
> You’ve asked for a check of the reprojection in the data directory but I
> don’t actually see a data directory anywhere. Could you provide a link?
>
> 
>
> *From:* Jason Remillard [mailto:remillard.ja...@gmail.com]
> *Sent:* Wednesday, December 12, 2012 5:15 PM
> *To:* talk-us@openstreetmap.org; impo...@openstreetmap.org
> *Subject:* [Talk-us] MassGIS Building Import Start
>
> ** **
>
> Hello Everybody,
>
>  
>
> I would like to kick off the MassGIS building import. This following is
> copy/paste from the current wiki (
> http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/MassGIS_Buildings_Import). The
> external links will work on the wiki.
>
>  
>
> --
>
>  
>
> On Dec, 2012 MassGIS  released
> a high quality data layer for all 
> buildings
>  in
> the entire state of MA. Previously 
> MassGIS only
> had buildings for Boston and its nearby suburbs.
>
> The plan is as follows.
>
> *Source Data License*
>
> All MassGIS  data is in the
> public domain. See MassGIS  page,
> and talk-us 
> archives
>  for
> detailed discussion. A previous (incomplete) version of this data that
> covers the Boston area has already been imported.
>
> From the MA Secretary of state Office Frequently Asked 
> Questions,
> first question is
>
> What records are public?
>
> Every document, paper, record, *map*, photograph, etc., as defined by
> law, that is made or received by a government entity or employee is
> presumed to be a public record
>
> From the MA Secretary of state Duplication 
> Services,
> last section.
>
> Records created by Massachusetts government are not copyrighted and are
> available for public use. Copyright for materials submitted to state
> agencies may be held by the person or organization that created the
> document. Patrons are responsible for clearing copyright on such materials.
> For more information on copyright law, please see the U.S. Copyright
> Office's web page at lcweb.loc.gov/copyright.
>
> *Scripts*
>
> A script was written to convert MassGIS shp files to OSM file. Each town
> has its own zip. Inside of the zip is two OSM files. The first file has all
> of the buildings, the second file has only the buildings missing from OSM.
> This has been completed, data is 
> here.
> jremillard will update these files. The scripts used for the shape to OSM
> conversion are also at the same link as the data.
>
> *Status Tracking*
>
> A google docs 
> spreadsheet
>  will
> be used to track progress on each town. People helping with the import will
> be able to claim a town, mark as town as already building complete, or mark
> it as "skip" for the final automated import because of data problems.
>
> *Who Is Doing This*
>
> So far OSM users ingalls and jremillard are working on the import. We will
> work on getting as much help as possible.
>
> *Getting Help*
>
> Use the MA osm database extract to get a list of users that have added 10
> or more buildings in 2012. We will contact these users and ask if could
> help with the import. Not completed.
>
> *Manual Imports - Step 1*
>
> It is expected that users doing the town by town import will use their *normal
> osm accounts*. The 
> data
>  will
> be download into JOSM, visually inspected, fixing any problems, then
> uploaded.***