Help improve OpenStreetMap with StreetComplete
Help improve OpenStreetMap with StreetComplete
"This app finds missing map data in your vicinity and displays it on a map as quests. Solve each quest by visiting the location on-site and answering a simple question to update the map."
I immediately downloaded it because there are a lot of gaps in the map data where I live. Unfortunately it asks what is written on the street sign but there are no street signs here in Juba, South Sudan. I could tell them how everyone calls the street but I can't tell them what is written on the street signs...
Oh you live in South Sudan and are on Lemmy? I think you're the first person from Africa I encounter here. I guess you're a imigrant? Or are you born there?
Just to put things into perspective:
- https://billionaires.africa/2022/05/24/5-multimillionaires-from-sudan-youve-never-heard-of/
- https://www.newsweek.com/im-donald-trump-south-sudan-war-salva-kiir-644234
- https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_states_of_South_Sudan_by_Human_Development_Index
- GINI index for South Sudan 44.1, vs USA 39.8 - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_income_equality
Bottom line, can't automatically assume that someone from South Sudan, isn't richer, better educated, more experienced, or whatever in this day and age (¹). I bet you can find a bunch of "mid class" people with an interest in FOSS in the capital.
PS: once upon a time, I ended up in an FPS game with a kid from the middle east, who after some casual conversation, and some Googling, turned out to likely be the second son of the prince's nephew... and it wasn't a scam, just a kid who wanted to play a game.
(¹: this was the goal of all who contributed to the popularization of Internet access, and it's nice to see it working)
Indeed I only work here for a time.
Looks interesting. Has anyone used this?
It's good, but it depends on the map having the details in the first place. e.g. near me, the roads are mapped, and a lot of the town centre, but there's a huge amount missing.
Street Complete can't ask about a building if it hasn't been added to OpenStreetMap in the first place.
I use it once in a while when I'm taking a walk, it's made purposely to fill stuff easily on the go.
For more detailed/complex edits, I go with Every Door.
I've used it quite extensivly, big fan. It asks for further details on objects that have already been mapped, which also reveals things that don't exist anymore. It turns mapping into a really fun game with currently 163 different quests. The app also regularly asks you to verify opening hours or confirm the existence of certain objects. That being said, I almost always use it in conjunction with a real map editor, to add new stuff I find or to make more complex edits.
I've used it
I love that I can easily correct and annotate bike lanes
I use it a lot when I'm on the go because it's just very quick and easy. I also contribute to OSM normally using my PC or Laptop.
Seems like a good way to crowd source finer detail
I've used it quite a bit recently. It makes it really easy to submit data in small amounts. I usually have it open while walking my dog and enter in basic things as I go. I've completed about 1500 quests so far with it.
The info you enter is directly added to OpenStreetMap in your name
I try to minimize "my name" being out there.
It's just your OpenStreetMap username, doesn't have to a real name. You can set "your name" to be some anonymous gibberish if you'd like
Well that makes more sense. I saw that quote and just noped out. I'll see if anything is questioned in my area.
Smashed that install button.
I've been using SCEE which gives you more options https://f-droid.org/packages/de.westnordost.streetcomplete.expert/
I'm a bit confused about those anti features. Can anyone explain?
TL;DR: Likely not a problem, but YMMV.
From:
https://gitlab.com/fdroid/fdroiddata/-/blob/master/metadata/de.westnordost.streetcomplete.yml
AntiFeatures: NonFreeNet: en-US:- Tethered to commercial Jawg.io for map tiles,
- FOSS OpenStreetMap.org and
- Westnordost.de to get get quests, upload data, etc
Jawg.io and OpenStreetMap.org could geolocate you based on the map tiles you request, and Westnordost.de will definitely geolocate you and trace your progress over time.
There is no easy way to remove these dependencies, or to point them at alternative services.
This may or may not be a concern for you, and you may want to read the related privacy policies and applicable legislation to arrive at a fully informed opinion.
StreetComplete and its expert editions are definitely my favourite way to contribute to OpenStreetMaps on mobile. There's also Vespucci which allows you to do more complex stuff like add paths and shape, but the UI isn't super great imo. Organic Maps which I use for navigation actually allows you to edit and contribute quite a bit.
StreetComplete shows me no map, just quests on a blank canvas. OSMand shows my offline maps just fine, but apparently StreetComplete has no way to reach the offline maps. I suppose that’s down to Android security -- each app has it’s own storage space secure from other apps.
In principle, we should be able to put the maps on shared SD card space and both apps should access it. But StreetComplete gives no way in the settings of specifying the map location. And apparently it fails to fetch an extra copy of the maps as well in my case.
I can’t wait for the iOS version or hopefully I would have switched phones by then.