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New and Confused

Posted by SumMerphysLaw333 on 5 May 2023 in English.

Even after all of the descriptions I’ve read, links I’ve clicked on, and groups I’ve joined on the subject, this whole OpenStreetMap thing still makes absolutely NO SENSE to me whatsoever. What is the objective? I want to be contributing to the greater good of SOMETHING, be it the Internet, Google maps, GPS, or whatever else. Perhaps the kramdown thing tossed in here is what’s further complicating everything for me, I don’t know. I’ll devote another hour of my energy, but if something doesn’t click by then, I’m opting out.

Location: West Pensacola, Escambia County, Florida, 32511, United States

Discussion

Comment from ivaldonm on 6 May 2023 at 05:01

I think the big differentiator of OSM will be the real-time update, as far as replication. Which platform is like this? Maybe Here Maps. If you make a change in google, how long will it take to replicate in the map? Maybe months. I’ve suggested changes for years and so far nothing… On Waze, if you haven’t been walking around where you want to edit, you won’t even be able to. So don’t leave, stay and persist. Sorry for my English.

Comment from yvecai on 6 May 2023 at 16:09

Did you try the edit button on top of the main www.openstreetmap.org page?

Comment from arnalielsewhere on 7 May 2023 at 02:25

Hi Sum, Openstreetmap is community project - crowdsourced open data. Individuals and groups participate, create, use and promote OSM for different purposes :) (e.g Humanitarian OSM Team / Missing Maps for humanitarian purposes; Youthmappers to build the map as well young mappers/leaders; Meta for their social media maps, etc) :)

Comment from :wq on 7 May 2023 at 06:17

I would recommend you to download a street complete app and start using it. It works by looking around an area you choose and generates simple to solve quests. It’s quite fun especially if you take someone else with you. More info at wiki.

This tip is based on how I started so keep in mind that it might not work for you. What I consider a greatest pro of this approach is abstracting away the tagging, which can be confusing at the beginning (at later on as well, but for different reasons).

Comment from Endres Pelka on 7 May 2023 at 14:49

Just start with your house, your street, your neighbourhood… Even if they are already thoroughly mapped, there might still be some minor details or recent updates that you can enter.

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