OpenStreetMap is the Wikipedia of maps: a publicly-available database of spacial information that anyone can edit. We sit down with prolific OSM contributor Jackson Kruger to talk about the best ways to use the data, and how to get comfortable with contributing to the project.

Links

• OpenStreetMap (keep in mind that the map on this website is more of a tech demo than anything)
• There are many clients listed on OSM Apps Catalog, which makes it easy to filter by platform and purpose. Below are some of Jackson and Parker's recommendations:
• Navigation clients
  • OsmAnd: extremely full-featured, but the interface may be intimidating. Android and iOS.
  • Organic Maps: a simpler interface, with features that most users will need; probably the closest comparison to Google Maps on this list. Android, iOS, and Linux.
  • CoMaps: a recent community fork of Organic Maps. Android and iOS.
  • Transit App: combines OSM data for walking and biking with real-time transit data from agencies across the world to give incredibly robust navigation information for those outside a car. Android and iOS.
  • Bikemap: exclusively focused on bike routes, imagine that. Android, iOS, and web.
• Editing clients
  • Go Map!!: strikes a good balance between letting you do everything you need to be able to do while making it reasonably accessible. iOS and macOS.
  • StreetComplete: provides an interface that makes editing easy and gamifies the process. Android.
  • MapComplete: lists a series of themed collections to make it easier to focus your editing efforts. Android and web.
  • Every Door: specializes in editing businesses and points of interest.
  • iD: the default editor built into the OSM website. Web.
  • Find more editing clients on the OSM wiki.
• Cool OSM-adjacent projects
  • OpenRailwayMap
  • MOTIS Project
  • OpenHistoricalMap
• OpenStreetMap Foundation partnering with a utility company in France.
• Details about where OsmAnd gets elevation information, since that is not in the OSM database. Presumably other apps use similar sources.

Attributions

Our theme song is Tanz den Dobberstein, and our interstitial song is Puck's Blues. Both tracks used by permission of their creator, Erik Brandt. Find out more about his band, The Urban Hillbilly Quartet, on their website.

This episode was produced by Parker Seaman aka Strongthany, and was hosted, edited, and transcribed by Ian R Buck. Many thanks to Jackson Kruger for coming on the show! We're always looking to feature new voices on the show, so if you have ideas for future episodes, drop us a line at [email protected].

Transcript

Find the full transcript on our website.