OpenStreetMap
I was out numbering houses today... I always feel so creepy when I do that, looking at houses and mailboxes and typing things down on a piece of paper... The worst part is walking down cul-de-sacs where people are walking in their gardens and just looking at you like you're some kind of creep... All while you are walking around to every house looking for their numbers, and then walk out of the area again without saying a word. I got out of one situation by asking a guy about help with my project and explaining it, but doing that every time is out of the question.
I've been thinking about buying an OSM surveyor vest but I'm not convinced I could go around wearing that and still feeling like a decent human being...
Any suggestions?
Discussion
Kommentar frå JohnSmith, 15 april 2010 kl. 02:56
The trick is to act like you own the place, it's basic social engineering, if you wanted to go a little further you could print up a name tag and put something like "OpenStreetMap Surveyor" under your name.
People only start to be suspicious if you act otherwise.
Kommentar frå andrewpmk, 15 april 2010 kl. 03:55
Get up early on a Sunday morning and do it - no traffic and hardly anyone outside, but it's still light out (in the summer).
Kommentar frå nmixter, 15 april 2010 kl. 06:11
Or you can find a database to import. Just try not to be too creepy. Be open and be honest.
Kommentar frå kenguest, 15 april 2010 kl. 08:19
I tend to bring along a few printouts of one of these 'posters' with me and given one to anyone that asks what I'm doing.
http://blogs.linux.ie/kenguest/2010/03/25/openstreetmap-posters/
Kommentar frå chillly, 15 april 2010 kl. 10:17
Buy an OpenStreetMap surveyor's jacket (I think Andy Allan sells them). Then you look very official. Be prepared to answer questions which spreads the message.
Kommentar frå robert, 15 april 2010 kl. 23:34
I think the simplest low-key way of doing it is just using a small clipboard.
Looks like you've got a job to do. Which you have.
Kommentar frå agsochi, 16 april 2010 kl. 07:35
You can use OpenMaps - iPhone App, add any tag at any place.
http://itunes.apple.com/ru/app/openmaps-free/id359719250?mt=8
It's free.
Kommentar frå Grillo, 16 april 2010 kl. 09:32
I could, if I had an Iphone :) Thanks for all of the suggestions, I'll think about getting one of those jackets after all... Also, I got out at a bad time. Nice weather and just after people start getting home from work. It's probably better to choose less crowded times like the middle of the working day or in the morning of a weekend.
Kommentar frå Grillo, 16 april 2010 kl. 09:33
Checked the link to the iphone app, WANTS!
Kommentar frå G3YAC, 17 april 2010 kl. 15:38
I've been thinking about getting some business cards printed up to help with this type of isue. http://www.vistaprint.co.uk/ (and maybe others) will make them to a standard design for around £3 or £4 for 250. Somewhat more if you want to fully customise them with your own choice of logo and screed on the back but it would spread the word and probably placate the mildly suspicious.
Kommentar frå LivingWithDragons, 19 april 2010 kl. 04:36
This may be why I always hope people ask what I'm doing, so then I can explain nicely and not be a creep. The jacket helps though, if they don't want to approach you they can look up OpenStreetMap on the web.