[TCMUG] Use OpenStreetMap for Landmarks?

[neuhausr at bitstream.net]

I don't have answers to Matt's questions, but maybe others do:

One thing to check out if you haven't is the import of the GNIS data.  The
idea seems to be to keep the GNIS ID with each feature so that changes can
go back to USGS...somehow. I couldn't find details on how the feedback
works.  http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/USGS_GNIS

There was also some discussion in March on the OSM talk-us list about the
GNIS import--some of the same issues would likely come up in a local
dataset, plus there might be some folks to connect with who've been
thinking about them for a while. 
http://lists.openstreetmap.org/pipermail/talk-us/2009-March/

Also wondering what kind of landmarks this involves--are the landmarks a
dataset (or datasets) on datafinder?

Cheers,
Brad

> Greetings - got this from Matt, thought you-all might have some useful
> ideas (and got Matt's ok to share!)
> Upkeep of landmark data is a huge task, seems ripe for massive
> collaboration.
>
> Your thoughts?
>
> - NR
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------
> From: McGuire, Matthew [mailto:Matthew.McGuire at metc.state.mn.us]
> Sent: Monday, November 02, 2009 12:14 PM
> To: 'John Hoshal (ADM)'; 'nancread at mmcd.org'; 'Joel Koepp'
> Cc: Kotz, Mark
> Subject: Landmark strategy idea
>
> Here at the Council, we have at least three very different sets of
> landmark data. They all have different original purposes, none of which
> completely meet my landmark data needs, which is for base mapping.
>
> The other day, Joel mentioned on Twitter that he was editing
> OpenStreetMap (OSM). I also know that he uses our basemap (or has used
> it in the past anyway). I was frustrated for Joel and myself that his
> efforts on OSM would not go to improving our basemap.
>
> Then I had an idea. Suppose we load our landmarks into OSM, and then
> edit them from there. Periodically, we can pull down OSM data and
> incorporate it into our Basemap. When Joel (or anyone else) makes a
> change, it will (eventually) be reflected in our basemap. Applications
> that use our basemap could include a link to OSM for people who take
> issue with landmarks on the map. And internally at the Met Council we
> could focus on editing OSM landmarks instead of our internal landmarks.
>
> This also has the potential of making a reality some difficult landmark
> issues we've been dealing with for a while. Basically, how do we create
> and update a landmarks dataset that is current, broad and
> multi-functional at a regional level? Perhaps this idea has value from
> the Geocoding, and Emergency Response perspectives as well?
>
> Certainly there are questions. Here are some:
>
> 1.	How do we mitigate unexpected content that could show up on our
> map?
> 2.	How is this managed from a technical perspective?
> 3.	How do we (or can we) maintain the attributes that we've already
> invested in?
> 4.	Can a gov't institution make OSM a part of its operations
> without violating the spirit?
>
>
> Some notes:
> 1.	I've tried to contact OSM in accordance with their guidelines on
> a bulk import. While it is a possibility, they are very sensitive to
> this type of behavior. I haven't heard back from them. See the import
> guidelines.
> 2.	Some data from datafinder has already been imported into OSM.
> 3.	OSM describes a rich set of map feature attributes (tags). I
> encourage you to check it out.
> http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Map_Features
> 4.	Tags from specific data sources can include additional tags
> specific to the original data source like datasource:key=value, for
> example "tiger:cfcc=A10"
>
> I'd love to hear your comments, if you have any. In the meantime, I am
> working out some internal technical issues to make this happen on a test
> basis for the Met Council. I'm also introducing myself to the OSM
> community.
>
>
> Thanks,
>
> Matt
>
>
>
>
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