Perth/Social Mapping Sunday

Social Mapping Sundays are a series of casual mapping parties held in Perth, run by Geogeeks Perth with support from OSGeo Oceania.

Getting Started

This wiki (wiki.openstreetmap.org) is your first port of call for finding out how to tag something that you find in the world. It's not 100% accurate, because the tagging scheme evolved dynamically, but it's a great place to start. I usually google something like "osm wiki drinking fountain" to get started.

openstreetmap.org (aka osm.org) is the easiest place to view and explore the map. Use the "Query features" option (via the question mark icon, or right clicking) to investigate the data that makes up the map, and see how things are being tagged. Your changes will not be visible on the map straight away, you have to give some time for the map tiles to be regenerated.

Easy Mobile Editors

• Osm Go! (web / android) - Simplest editor for adding and updating points.

• Every Door (android / ios) - Fastest editor for quickly adding and updating amenities, businesses and addresses. Note: choose Settings > Background Imagery > Bing Aerial Imagery.
• StreetComplete (android) - Funnest editor for adding details to existing features on the map. Go Settings > Quest selection to turn off any quest types that you aren't interested in.

Full Mobile Editors

• Go Map!! (ios) - Fully featured editor for iOS. Be careful not to accidentally move features. To avoid conflicts with other mappers, upload often and then go Settings > Display > Clear Cache > Clear OSM Data to download fresh data.
• Vespucci (android) - Fully featured editor for Android.

Desktop Editors

• iD (web) - The default OSM editor. Easy to use with a great walkthrough.
• JOSM (desktop) - The power user's option. Clunky interface, but very powerful once you learn it.

Meetup Checklist

1. Take a group photo (for a follow-up post).
2. Decide on mapping goals/targets for the day. Being specific about which features will be mapped, or which area will be covered is good.
3. Make a plan for reconvening for lunch (for those who want to).
4. Organise the date and location for the next meeting, or at least get options.

Organising Checklist

1. Create an event on OpenStreetMap Calendar, (use the "Duplicate Event" button on one of the existing events).
2. Apply for a microgrant from OSGeo.
3. Spread the work: email mailing lists, tweet, post in chat groups.
4. Download a copy of the map data in the area (for before and after comparisons).
5. Clean existing map data and potentially trace buildings/footpaths/etc.
6. Prepare materials: stickers to give out, printed maps for surveying, etc.

After the event:

1. Clean up and verify new map data.
2. Generate before and after comparisons.
3. Post an event report showing off what we achieved!