Beginners Guide 1.1
From OpenStreetMap
Collecting Data
There are a variety of forms of gathering data for OSM:
- GPS - This is the most common way of gathering data for OSM, and for fully mapped areas is essential. If you don't have a GPS they are sometimes available for loan or you can create maps from other users' data (to map data already collected check out the collaborative mapping project for Korea). Make sure you collect in, or convert your data before uploading to the WGS-84 lat/lon geographic datum. WGS-84 is the default for GPS receivers, so if you aren't sure about the datum, you are probably ok. Software to gather gps data can be found on the Making_Tracks_with_Homebrew-ware site.
- Yahoo! Imagery, Landsat and NPE maps
- Your own photography or maps - Make sure these are completely free to copy and use with OSM. Most data is not as free as you would think.
What data to add
There is a lot of data that can be put into OSM: From common tagging such as street names right down to fine details which includes things like parks, post boxes, and specific access rights. Different people find different things more important, usually influenced by their main method of transport. For example, people using an intercity road are likely to be more interested in a gas stations location than motel's name.
Commonly mappers tag more details as they go on, but start with the basics. The following is an example of the order in which you may gradually add details.
- Type of highway
- Street name
- Parking
- Street direction (and whether the street is one or two-way)
- Road limitations: public transport only (buses, taxi)
- Land use: residential areas for example
- Paths, cycleways and other routes
- Specific buildings and amenities, e.g. hotels/motels and their names
- Fine details, such as rest areas (laybys), service roads, crossings, bridges and tunnels
- Additional noteworthy places: viewpoints, memorials, springs, wells etc.
