OpenStreetMap as a Successful Model for User-Generated Geospatial Content

OpenStreetMap as a Successful Model for User-Generated Geospatial Content

Andrew Turner - @ajturnerandrew@fortiusone.com

OpenStreetMap as a Successful Model for User-Generated Geospatial Content

We’re going to cover each of these aspects: What is OpenStreetMap?

OpenStreetMap as a Successful Model for User-Generated Geospatial Content

How are we measuring “success”?

OpenStreetMap as a Successful Model for User-Generated Geospatial Content

Who is the user? This is not meant (yet) for digging water mains, boundary disputes.

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What is OpenStreetMap?

It’s Wikipedia to Encyclopedia BritannicaIt’s Linux to WindowsIt’s about claiming our own world and space

Why did it start?

What was the need?Kernel of a problem - the Ordnance Survey; Changing Conditions; Underserved regions

Geographically Successful

Let’s define successfulDone: Netherlands, ~Germany, Paris, Mumbai, Tokyo, UK (this year?)

Organizationally Successful

Exponential growth - just crossed 100,000 registered users.

What is OSM at it’s Core?

people spending their free time, and often lots of money and frustration capturing data that is already captured, and very tedious. Would anyone have predicted that “surveying” is sexy?

Typical Process

So let’s outline the actual process of the project before we can understand the benefit of the various aspects that make the project successful in achieving it’s goals

Individual Mapping

Surveying: GPS, Photos, Notes

Individual Mapping

Desktop and online tools for annotating tracks, editing existing roads

Imagery Tracing

Yahoo! licensed aerial imagery. Tools for tracing

Open Data importsNetherlands

Existing open data and Organizations or Governments offering their data to the project

Result: Year of Edits http://www.vimeo.com/2598878

http://www.flickr.com/photos/peterito/3054501076

This is 2008 alone.

How does it work?

So how is this possible? How are 100k people, across the globe, able to cover every street, sign, road type in a few short years?

Characteristics

OpportunityGoalLeadershipOpen-*CommunityPassionSustainable

Characteristics

OpportunityGoalLeadershipOpen-*CommunityPassionSustainable

google

mapquest

microsoft

Raster Tiles and Geodata coverage

Characteristics

OpportunityGoalLeadershipOpen-*CommunityPassionSustainable

Set a grand goal - something only barely imaginable, though make iterative steps realizable. Always shooting for the stars.

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Characteristics

OpportunityGoalLeadershipOpen-*CommunityPassionSustainable

A project needs a face - someone to attribute the soul of the project as well as for media to refer to and put a name to.

Characteristics

OpportunityGoalLeadershipOpen-*CommunityPassionSustainable

Don’t hide anything. Freely share until it hurts. Don’t allow any idea of hoarding or protectionism to come into play.

Characteristics

OpportunityGoalLeadershipOpen-*CommunityPassionSustainable

Build the community - give them an identity & voice

Outrearch

Mapping parties reach out to locals in their spare time - to both learn the process and meet other local interested people.

Betwala Chawl, Mumbai

Personal Need

Individuals also see a personal goal - exploring a city

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Levels of Engagement

Every person has a different level of effort they are interested in engaging. Time, interest, ability.

Casual

Moderate

Advanced http://www.flickr.com/photos/fsc7/2982601362

Encouragement

“Lolcat of awesomeness”Award

Reward people. They like to be acknowledged for jobs well done - and also like seeing others similarly rewarded and wowed. Reminds them why they are part of a not only a bigger, but better whole

Open-Discussion

tags, techniques

Governance

not just OSMF - removing data. continuing to be a part of the entire process

Short Feedback loop

Contributors should see the effect of their work very quickly. Failure of traditional “Feedback” systems. Again, the person wants to “See themselves” in the process and on the map. Will show friends/family.

Support

Part of the parties again - discussion, IRC, mailing lists, lessons learned, grow.

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Characteristics

OpportunityGoalLeadershipOpen-*CommunityPassionSustainable

The existential part of any project - people who are so passionate they will go above and beyond and create memorable experiences for others and drive the project.

Characteristics

OpportunityGoalLeadershipOpen-*CommunityPassionSustainable

Make the project long-term sustainable. Make sure it can last beyond a difficulties, failures, a single leader or goal.

What is the future?

What is the sustainability model?

Integrated into Organizations

Flickr, UN as two examples of organizations that verify the value, drive future uses and needs and are someone with credibility.

Business Opportunities

Cloudmade, GeoCommons, ITOWorld. Companies will invest time, effort, resources to ensure the project continues to grow. Their livelihood is tied to its success and respect.

Industry Leadership

Apply experience, leadership, and lessons learned to other communities.

Technology

Push the technology barrier, stay on the forefront to maintain applicability and interest. 3D globe, cartography tools (Andy Allan), tracing

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Andrew Turner - @ajturnerandrew@fortiusone.com

Thank you.