"OpenStreetMap - What it is and how to contribute?"

#PokemonGO: Pokemon Go and Ingress changed their base maps from Google Maps to OpenStreetMap just recently. A lot of you may have discovered a loss in information on the map. No building shapes, no parks or footways. But you can add them and help to create a free world map. We on /r/openstreetmap created this post to help you a bit in mapping your area and get a better map experience.What is OpenStreetMap?Simply Wikipedia for maps. OpenStreetMap (OSM) is a map that anyone can edit, similar to Wikipedia, but not the same. Everything you see in the world could be in one map. Open-source, usable for everyone. Niantic uses OSM data for Pokemon Go, Wheelmap helps people with disabilities and Kurviger can show routes for motorcyclists that are more curvy and outside of residential areas. There are many more examples how the data you contribute is used.How is it different from Google Maps?Google Maps is great but not open data. Are you allowed to print it commercially? No. Can you take the map data and create your own routing engine? No. Create your own map style from their data? Nope. Google has invested a lot of money to get all those building shapes, lakes and other geographical information. They won't share it and that's their right. But we believe that all of this information should be available in one big database free for everyone.Isn't mapping complicated?No. The world of OpenStreetMap consists of three basic elements. Points (nodes), lines (ways) and areas. They get their values through so called tags (like name=Golden Gate Bridge). For example a church could outlined as an area and tagged as:name=Church of our Lady building=church amenity=place_of_worship religion=christian denomination=evangelical We use nodes for shops, small features like fountains or bicycle repair stations. Ways for roads, paths, small waterways. Areas for forests, buildings and ponds.How can I edit?We have two main editors for armchair mapping. iD and JOSM. JOSM is an advanced standalone editor but it's better to have some experience before you begin mapping with it. I will focus on the browser based one called iD.Some tutorial videos:How to draw a buildingHow to square a builidingHow to draw a roadTo add things with your mobile phone you can use OsmAnd or Maps.me, which also display the map you help to create. StreetComplete for Android to add information to existing stuff on OSM.What are some "unwritten" rules?Map what's on the ground.Have a look in the Wiki, nearly all tags are described there.Copy from other parts of the world, where something is already mapped. Look in bigger cities or in Europe, where things are mapped to the greatest detail (who the maps the color of trash bins?)Don't copy from copyrighted sources like Google Maps.Ask! Other mappers will help you, ask on /r/openstreetmap, help.openstreetmap.org or in the Slack Channel from OpenStreetMap US or on country-specific OSM mailing lists and IRC channelsDon't use the name tag to describe the object. For example, name=bench, instead use amenity=bench. Use tags to classify objects instead of name. Name should only be used for features with actual names, like buildings or restaurants.What is good mapping?Connect footways with streets. Only things that are connected can be used for routing. Example, if you don't connect themDon't connect landuses with streets. It's hard to change something afterwards and also confusing.Square buildings.Check if the satellite layer is misaligned. Compare the satellite layer with existing streets and gps traces.Don't delete stuff. First ask the mapper why he did something the way he did. Maybe you just have old satellite data.What else?This website shows you other mappers near you, if you want to connect.List of useful OSM-based websites, where your changes appearUpcoming OSM Events - Maybe there's a social meet up near you. It's always good to talk to people face to face. Sometimes they can help you.Have fun mapping and happy travelling! via /r/TheSilphRoad http://ift.tt/2CiyS7V