Recently while updating business information in my area, I noticed that outdated POIs would often include a defunct website. When attempting to follow the links in OSM, I was just presented with an error. That gave me the idea that I could proactively identify POIs that may need validated in person.

After some tinkering, I came up with a python script that will query OSM data for nodes with websites, then iterate over the websites to see which return errors when connecting. I started with logging these to a text file, but then realized that I could export them all to a kmz file and import them into Organic Maps. Now when I’m out and about I can launch Organic Maps to find areas that I should validate.

When you select a pin, it’ll give you more details on the failure.

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