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.

• 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.
  • 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.

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].

Find the full transcript on our website.

The Midtown Greenway opened 25 years ago, so let's hear from the folks who pushed for it to happen! George Puzak envisioned the Greenway, Tim Springer was the Midtown Greenway's first Executive Director, and Soren Jensen is the current Executive Director.

• Midtown Greenway trench history by Brian Mitchell: Part 1 & Part 2
• Donate to the Midtown Greenway Coalition

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 hosted, edited, and transcribed by Ian R Buck. 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].

Find the full transcript on our website.

We talked to Genevieve Furtner, who Govenor Tim Walz called the "Queen of Walleye," about all things fish: the DNR hatchery in Saint Paul, the State Fair fish pond, where baby walleye come from, what a "tiger muskie" is, why we stock lakes, and how much of an impact anglers have on the state economy.

• Egg harvesting demonstration video
• Walleye biology
• The almighty Muskellunge
• DNR State Hatcheries
• Saint Paul Hatchery

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, edited, and transcribed by Stina Neel, and was engineered by Ian R Buck. 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].

Find the full transcript on our website.

In today's book club episode, Parker Seaman and Ian R Buck discuss Bowling Alone by Robert D Putnam, in a conversation moderated by Stina Neel.

• Current book: Bowling Alone
• The Evolution of Trust (Explorable Explanation)
• MLMs are the mirror-world version of community organizing
• Next Book: The Lost Cause

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 and Stina Neel, edited by Jeremy Winter, and engineered and transcribed by Ian R Buck. 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].

Find the full transcript on our website.

For many years, Naomi Kritzer has compiled the most comprehensive collections of information about candidates in Twin Cities races. We sat down with her to find out her process, how it started, and what advice she has both for campaigns and voters!

• Naomi's blog
• Some insight into St Paul city council drama

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 hosted, edited, and transcribed by Ian R Buck and was engineered by Sherry Johnson. Many thanks to Naomi Kritzer 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].

Find the full transcript on our website.

At a moment of transition between managing editors and editors-in-chief, let's take a look back at how Streets.mn got started, how we have evolved, and where we are headed in the future.

• Earliest Streets.mn post that Ian could find
• Twin Cities Streets For People, the site that Tony Rossell was hosting before Streets.mn was formalized
• Greater Greater Washington
• Urban MSP forums
• Gleeman and the Geek, the Twins baseball podcast that inspired Bill
• An early podcast episode that Bill is proud of
• Matty Lang, videographer in the early days
• The Uptake

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 hosted, edited, and transcribed by Ian R Buck. Many thanks to David Levinson, Bill Lindeke, Amy Gage, and Cirien Saadeh 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].

Find the full transcript on our website.

Inspired by the Câmbio Verde in Curitiba, Brazil, Taylor Lahey organized a bike donation drive in which all participants get tangible value out of the exchange.

• The Bike Exchange event write-up
• Câmbio, Taylor's children's book

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 hosted and transcribed by Ian R Buck, and was edited by Stina Neel. Many thanks to Taylor Lahey 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].

Find the full transcript on our website.

Jeremy Stomberg, aka John Maddening, won the Streets.mn Podcast crew over with his playful Nerd Nite Twin Cities talk, "Finding Your Time in Place." Enjoy this nostalgic, laughter-filled trip through history--and through Jeremy's brain.

• Jeremy's Nerd Nite presentation video and slide deck
• Nerd Nite St Paul
• Nerd Nite Minneapolis
• Gale Family Library | Minnesota Historical Society
• NETRonline: Historic Aerials
• CONvergence Convention | Minneapolis, MN Sci Fi & Fantasy Con and Jeremy's Taskmaster performance
• f1rstwrestling | Instagram, Facebook, TikTok | Linktree
• Minnesota Roller Derby | Flat-track, skater-owned roller derby in St. Paul
• Find Jeremy on Bluesky or Instagram

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 Sherry Johnson, was edited by Sherry Johnson and Ian R Buck, and was transcribed by Stina Neel. Many thanks to Jeremy Stomberg 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].

Find the full transcript on our website.

While Ian was on vacation, he got a delightful text from his parents asking if they could stay at his apartment to explore Minneapolis more. Let's chat with them about how the experience went!

• Our episode about Warmshowers
• The Wedge Adventure Book

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 hosted, edited, and transcribed by Ian R Buck. Many thanks to Amy & Eric Buck 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].

Find the full transcript on our website.

Saint Paul author Naomi Kritzer is notable for her ability to infuse her works with a strong sense of place - in particular, several novels set in the Twin Cities! Producer Sherry Johnson sits down with Naomi to talk about her process.

• The Four Sisters Overlooking the Sea
• The Year Without Sunshine - text or audio
• Will Tell Stories For Food | Naomi Kritzer's blog
• Liberty's Daughter

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, edited, and transcribed by Sherry Johnson; and was engineered by Ian R Buck. Many thanks to Naomi Kritzer 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].

Find the full transcript on our website.