OpenStreetMap
As of today, I am ending my contributions to opensteetmap. I have come a long way in OSM from the day I first started editing the map in my local area of Glendale, Arizona. To see the influence of corporation’s & the impact of corporate editing on OSM since then has made me realize that I no longer feel the excitement I use to have for editing maps. I have enjoyed the time I have put into OSM, but today is the end of my contributions. Thank you to everyone who has helped me along the way with suggestions and guidance. I appreciate all the help that was given.
Name - (Hans De Kryger) Username - (TheDutchMan13) Start & End Date Of Edits (April 05, 2013 - December 20, 2020)
Discussion
Comment from n76 on 21 December 2020 at 02:18
Sorry to hear of you leaving.
When I first started with OSM I spent a lot of time adding speed limits and correcting TIGER road geometries to improve the operation of the navigation apps I use on my phone. When I first started there were no speed limits on the freeways between where I live in California and the family house in Southern Arizona so the OSM based navigation apps were way off in their time estimates. I took a different route on different trips to capture the speed limit information.
But OSM has come a long way since then with the roads I know of pretty accurately mapped nowadays. So my focus has changed.
In my area it seems most of the corporate edits are for improving motor vehicle navigation. For Amazon that is for deliveries (lots of service ways). It doesn’t really bother me as long as they are correct.
While I tend to treat my local area as a garden to be tended (make sure POIs, buildings, addresses are complete and accurate) my real focus is on hiking and camping. As near as I can tell those edits on OSM are still nearly all volunteer driven.
I guess what it comes down to me is I don’t care who does the edits or what their agenda is. I care that the edits improve the map. And there are lots of things I care about (my personal agenda) that the corporate editors are unlikely to worry about so there are things for me to edit and, in a small way, improve the world.
Comment from jimkats on 21 December 2020 at 02:43
We all reach the point where we get sick of mapping, for various reasons of course. Mainly for losing the interest.
Take care and be safe
Comment from Richard on 21 December 2020 at 22:58
Really sorry to hear that. I’ve noticed your edits a lot while fixing up old TIGER data and have always been impressed with your dedication. Take care.
Comment from gileri on 22 December 2020 at 15:48
Thank you for your contributions TheDutchMan13, take care !