Am 05.02.2013 08:15, schrieb Clifford Snow:
Third parties bring unique value to OSM. However, is
it inconceivable that we might be able to offer something more than
just a database?
For example funded Software development has been done by companies
like
CloudMade, MapQuest on a company budget, or Mapbox that applied
for external
funding through the Knight foundation to develop OpenStreetMap
software like
e.g. the iD editor.
This is great until these companies decide that they want us to map
according to their rules. If they are building the tools then we have
lost the ability to set our directions. Now from what I've seen of the
iD editor it's great. The point I'm trying to stress is that we should
set our own path, not let others set it for us. We could still
encourage others to build tools, but with the understanding of where
we are headed.
But who is "we" here? Who should decide how to "set our own path"? All
registered mappers? The OSMF board? Registered users? Active Mappers?
What are active mappers? Coders? Active coders? Wiki editors? Every of
any of the mentioned groups who is able to read, speak AND write English
language?
Whatever you choose as a "definition" for "we" here, it's very likely
that it's not better than what we have now: Everybody who want's to
decide AND DO.
Sure: that may be companies, and yes, it may have a bad taste that
companies influence how stuff is done in the "osm universe", but on the
other hand you could say the same about the JOSM or Potlatch
maintainers, who influence mapping practice a lot by deciding about
tagging templates and the like.
I think it's good that everyone, even a company, is able to use osm data
as well as to provide their users means to contribute back - by
providing "open-in-osm-editor"-links as well as by implementing their
own editing functionality (as long as it's done right).
If you want "us" to "set our own path", I have to ask, what differs a
"better" "us" from the people currently setting up our path - many
volunteers coding JOSM, Potlatch and iD (even sponsored by Mapbox/Knight
Foundation as far as I know the iD dev people talk to and receive
contributions by non-paid volunteers).
regards
Peter
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