On Feb 4, 2013, at 11:53 PM, Peter Wendorff wrote: > 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).
I'd like to formally request a moratorium on scare quotes for the remainder of this thread. Looking at you, "robin paulson." -mike. ---------------------------------------------------------------- michal migurski- contact info and pgp key: sf/ca http://mike.teczno.com/contact.html _______________________________________________ talk mailing list talk@openstreetmap.org http://lists.openstreetmap.org/listinfo/talk
