this post was submitted on 13 Jul 2023
638 points (98.8% liked)

Linux

48333 readers
501 users here now

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

Rules

Related Communities

Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0

founded 5 years ago
MODERATORS
 

I've tried using it over the years but I never liked it because there was no information. So last night I looked at my local city and there is almost no information at all. I spent a few hours last night adding buildings and restaurants and removing incorrect items. It was actually kind of fun and therapeutic and I plan to do more of it tonight. My girlfriend thinks it's dumb and I'm wasting my time because Google maps and Apple maps and Bing maps exists but she just doesn't understand open source.

Edit: Apologies, I just realized this question is not Linux specific.

(page 2) 50 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Here in kerala ( a small state in india ), we have a project called Mapathon Keralam. They work with engineering colleges to map out nearby places as well as any place in general. Had contributed few places myself. So pretty much all places in kerala are now mapped in it :)

load more comments (2 replies)
[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago

Yes and yes! Couldn't contribute that much but I try to

I think having a highly important FOSS project that is not controlled by a company known for shutting down many of its beloved products (I'm talking about you Google) is pretty nice...

Also I think map quality is location-dependent. I live in a large metropolitan area in Southern US; OSM is usable, but there are no house/building numbers, and a good number of businesses are missing. In contrast I think the map is a lot better in Chicago which is a lot more pedestrian-friendly? Also, when I looked at Germany it seems OSM is on-par or better than Google Maps... in fact one of the larger rental websites use OSM instead of Google Maps (imagine Zillow doing it in US lol)

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago

Organic Maps is the only map app on my device, and I've got over 1300 edits, most of which have been made with StreetComplete.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago

There is also wheelmap.org , based on Openstreet maps. Project asks for volunteers to mark wheelchair accessible places that you know of.

Even a few markdowns would help if you know an accessible space, store, restaurant, bathroom etc. !

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Yes, I moved in St Lucia, a small Caribbean island (~620km) few years ago.

Openstreetmap already had a lot of information but nothing on the land use (forest, field ...). So over almost a year I've worked on it to add all the forest using satellite imagery. Most of the community names were missing so I've also added around 100 names and plenty of roads and buildings.

I've also started to add all the rivers and stream using public data but this is still underway.

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago

Surprisingly in my area OSM is mapped down to individual trees. Definitely keep up the work, because it shines in areas where it's well mapped.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago

Organic Maps works really good.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago

I've used it, but mostly to contribute as the data for my area is sparse as well. I find it fun to map the areas I visit. I haven't added recently because I am using a mobile Linux device and I haven't found an application to easily contribute.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

It's not even so much about F(L)OSS for me, it's mainly about privacy. Haven't contributed so far, but been using it through Organic Maps. OSM lacks no address in my town, and that's enough for me. I only need a map to get frow A to B, and I'd already know what's at B if I'm going there in the first place.

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

As others have mentioned, I really recommend StreetComplete. I used it for my city and it's a nice and helpful way as well to walk around what would otherwise be a boring scenery I've seen too many times.

I do get looks when I walk up and down stairs trying to count the steps though.

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago

Long time ago, I did several villages where I grew up. This was before satellite images covered that area, so I did it the old fashioned way with a GPS, cycling up and down every single street, writing down name and surface in a notebook. Walked around every field, every patch of forest, creek, etc. It took years, but I've literally been everywhere in those villages. It was fun :) When aerial images came I could do private buildings too.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I contribute where I can, nothing significant.

However, nothing beats Apple maps IMO. I have an iPhone which I hotspot data to and basically only use it as a GPS when driving. I can't use my Android device as I prefer using Apple CarPlay and GrapheneOS does not support Android Auto.

I use Magic Earth or OSMand when I don't have my iPhone with me.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago

I have done more work on OpenSeaMap. It started with me being annoyed with plotters costing too much and ended in me using many hours to mark down rocks from satellite images.

It's still pretty basic and there is no good way of collecting water depth info, but fun to improve it.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago

Back in the old days I used an external GPS mouse connected to my phone via Bluetooth to track streets, writing down notes on every way point to later publish everything. Today still have of this area is there to look it up and I enjoy it everytime I

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago

Yeah I have made many changes in my area. I also find it kinda therapeutic as well.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

At one stage, all street names were removed from my city because of changes to the license osm was using. And my suburb was blank. I got on my bike with the app on my phone, and mapped it all over about 3 leisurely rides. And I can say I've been past every house in my suburb at least once 😁

I also have found it better for offroad riding and walking. Also did some track mapping offroad too.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (7 children)

I'm contributing a lot in my area.

I started because I needed a customizable online map for a website and no map out there was really complete where I needed. So instead of waiting for commercial services, I started to log ways using GPS and add them to OSM.

load more comments (7 replies)
[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago

I did a little bit in my area, haven't had the motivation to start up again.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I've thought about trying it before, but this thread is both inspiring me and giving me some info to get started (apps, etc). Is there a handy guide somewhere for a beginner that would explain some of the terminology, some of the most needed info, etc?

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

I used to contribute GPS-traces. But then good enough aerial photos became available for my country.

Now I contribute POIs. Last ones this week.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

I rarely use any maps, but OpenStreetMap is used by Rate Your Music to show where artists you've rated at least once came from.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Used: yes

Contributed: no

I know I know, I am sorry. Just started using it a few months ago (through Organic Maps on iOS), and honestly have started using it more than Google/Apple Maps. This is a good reminder for me so get off my ass and start contributing.

load more comments
view more: ‹ prev next ›