[OSGeo-Boston] OpenStreetMap Mapping Party: June 18th

[David Zwarg]

*Put your community on The Map!*

A project called OpenStreetMap is making a free street-level map of the
entire world.

Volunteers from Boston have already begun mapping the roads and rivers, but
now they need your help to add details of street names and local amenities
such as restaurants, hospitals and cinemas.
*Event details:*

June 18th, 2011

Introduction to OSM at 12pm:
Bocoup Loft
355 Congress Street
Boston, MA (map)

Mapping the seaport at 1pm - 4pm:
In and around the Four Points channel and the Boston Seaport.

OSM Mapping Tools at 4pm:
Bocoup Loft
355  Congress Street
Boston, MA (map)

RSVP: http://www.meetup.com/Openstreetmap/Boston-MA/105647/
More info: info at ispatialboston.com,
http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Boston/June_2011_mapping_party

*So why not just use Google Maps (or the like)?*

There are many places on the Internet where you can look at maps without
charge, but that's all they usually allow you to do - you cannot re-use the
map, modify it, publish it on your own web site or print it in a leaflet. To
do any of that, you would have to obtain a license, which usually costs
money. And if you spot a mistake in your area, the process to get it
corrected is lengthy.

OpenStreetMap is different in that the map data is available to everyone,
for whatever purpose they want (it's "open" or "free-as-in-freedom"). Anyone
can put in the locations and names of roads, footpaths, railway stations, or
whatever else is important to them. And people can immediately respond to
changes on the ground, so the data is the most up-to-date information
available.

Maps created from the data are available to browse on the Internet (just
like other online maps), but they can also be downloaded and used for any
purpose. And if you don't like the way the provided maps look, you can
download the data and create your map, your way.

*So what do I need to participate in OpenStreetMap?*

Tools such as GPS receivers and digital cameras are useful for advanced
mapping, but simply having access to the Internet will allow you to
contribute by checking/editing the maps and to add that all-important local
information. The only real requirement is that the information is 'first
hand' from observation or local knowledge and that it is not copied from
restricted sources (such as printed maps or online services).

Boston is currently being mapped! Visit
http://www.OpenStreetMap.org<http://www.openstreetmap.org/>to find out
more and see how you can help.
*Why so long?*

Mapping Parties take some time because you get a chance to go out into the
world and collect real data about a new neighborhood.  It's an opportunity
to get a little flavor of the entire mapping process, which starts with data
collection.

You also get the opportunity to work with the mapping tools after data
collection, under the delicate tutelage of experienced OpenStreetMappers.

It's not necessary to come to all parts of the Mapping Party -- you can show
up for the part that most interests you!
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