Warning, rant below: Google and WorldBank just announced a partnership to provide government agencies with Google MapMaker data [0 and 1]. While I applaud WorldBank's recognition of the value of map crowdsourcing [2] particularly on developing countries where public access to geographic data is limited, I find it disturbing that they forged partnership in a company where crowdsourced information is locked-in and not entirely free (as in speech).
Further though from Adena here [3]. [0] http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2012/01/world-bank-and-google-join-forces-to.html [1] http://www.directionsmag.com/pressreleases/world-bank-and-google-announce-map-maker-collaboration/226293 [2] http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/14/opinion/empowering-citizen-cartographers.html?_r=1 [3] http://apb.directionsmag.com/entry/google-gives-world-bank-map-maker-data-distribution-privileges/226296?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter -- cheers, maning ------------------------------------------------------ "Freedom is still the most radical idea of all" -N.Branden wiki: http://esambale.wikispaces.com/ blog: http://epsg4253.wordpress.com/ ------------------------------------------------------ _______________________________________________ talk-ph mailing list talk-ph@openstreetmap.org http://lists.openstreetmap.org/listinfo/talk-ph
