User:Erik Lundin

	This user submits data to OpenStreetMap under the name Erik Lundin.

Babel user information

sv-N	Den här användaren har svenska som modersmål.

en-2	This user has intermediate knowledge of English.

de-2	Dieser Benutzer beherrscht Deutsch auf fortgeschrittenem Niveau.

Luen (sv)

I live in Göteborg, Sweden, but most of the mapping have I performed in northeastern Skåne.

I believe that OpenStreetMap is a vigorous and dynamic project, based on that it's built bottom-up. Parts that is missing or incorrect are fixed in a self-healing way. Nonetheless I request some more spirit of let's make a really good-looking map! I think the difference is huge between looking at a map with ways drawn with a bare minimum of nodes, versus one where the mapper has put in some effort to make ways continuous and professional-looking.

My mapping tips

Surveying

By car/bus etc.

Keep the GPS receiver as close to the mid of the road as possible.
Round unmapped/ugly mapped roundabouts at least once.
Find out the delay from when you push the waypoint button on your GPS device until it nails the location. One practical way doing this by car is to press the button when passing an already mapped intersection (located with good precision) and then watch were on the map the waypoint appears. Repeat for higher accuracy.
Map all maxspeed limitations.

By bicycle

Take photos of places and signs being helpful when editing. These can be synced with the GPS track and shown on the map in JOSM.

Walking

...

Editing

Try to get as much as possible out of the available data e.g. the GPS tracks.
Place nodes were they make difference; if a section of the way is straight, then it doesn't need to be any nodes there, and if a roundabout is round, draw it such.
Upload all your tracks (if they are of decent quality).
Don't simplify gpx files: that makes it harder for other mappers later.
In JOSM, open your track file, download OSM data and GPS data along the track (into new layer) and change color of the downloaded GPS data points. I have my local data in yellow and the downloaded in blue. This is a help when editing, because you remember approximately how you were driving and can then relate that to existing tracks.
Turn off line drawing between GPS track points.

Tags I'm using

Physical

Retirement home

amenity=retirement_home

Artificial turf (in soccer pitches etc.)

surface=artificial_turf

Ski rental

amenity=ski_rental

Waste basket

amenity=waste_basket

Dog excrement bin

amenity=waste_basket

waste=dog_excrement

excrement_bags=yes/no

Max bogie load (in tons)

max_bogie_load=*

Relations

...

Equipment

Hardware

Much of my mapping I do using a Bluetooth GPS receiver Globalsat BT-359S.
- On the wish-list: some kind of clip that holds the receiver and can be strapped on to my arm or head or something. This would solve the issue of where to put the receiver when walking, running, or biking. Especially a head mount would ensure good reception.
The above is connected over Bluetooth to my mobile phone.
I have now bought a Neo FreeRunner, which I plan to use more ahead.
Somewhere I have a USB connected receiver. Don't remember the model now.
Once I bought a Garmin Forerunner 101 which i rarely use nowadays. It has some features usable when training, but I used it most to keep track of speed and finding back to the car (until I bought my Bluetooth GPS receiver). Furthermore, it has poor GPS reception compared to the Globalsat receiver.

Software

GpsMid for surveying and map viewing.
For editing I find JOSM being the best application.