Openstreetmap
I have just added OpenStreetMap.org on 5050box.com.
This video from ItoWorld illustrates the intense growth of OpenStreetMap in 2008. Make sure you watch it full-screen.
Gaza
Until a few days ago I did not think that OpenStreetMaps.org could be a good alternative to other map providers like Google, Microsoft, Yahoo or any other commerical provider. Some areas on OpenStreetMaps are simply not mapped well enough. But some certainly are: I stumbled across a blog entry on aidworkerdaily.com in which Jon Thompson compared Gaza maps of Google Maps, Microsoft Virtual Earth and OpenStreetMaps. The maps are used to provide better data sets for humanitarian groups in this area.
Google Maps seemed to be the “clear winner”. But the first comment pointed out that the map of OpenStreetMap has been updated in the last 48 hours and more was on the way! If you want to compare it yourself, Frank Sauter has an excellent site to compare Google Maps with OpenStreetMap. Drag the slider in the upper right corner and you will see that OpenStreetMap seems to be the winner now. In case you can or want to help please go to:
http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/WikiProject_Palestine_Gaza
Laafi
Another great example to use OpenStreetMap to help can be found here on Helge Fahrnberger’s blog (in German). He asks his readers to help him mapping Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, Africa. Helge supports an austrian non-profit organisation called Laafi that finances projects to improve healthcare in Burkina Fasa. He also made a video about how to help (in German):
OpenStreetMap Ouagadougou
Again, you can compare the area with Frank Sauters site: Gaza map comparison Google Maps vs. Openstreetmap. Impressive, isn’t it?
I got a gps-logger as a present last week… I am hooked.
This is how OpenStreetMaps can be displayed on 5050box.com:
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