My October 2020 in OSM

Here’s some of the things I’ve been doing in OpenStreetMap in October 2020.

• Mapping
  • Continued my daily mapping. I’ve been using StreetComplete to add & update opening_hours data. It’s surprising how many shop’s opening hours has changed, an hour here, and hour there. It also gets me out of the house because of lock down.
    • 13% of my edits are now StreetComplete
• Hacking (Can’t do much with one hand)
  • There was a video chat about vectortiles on osm.org, which I attended.
  • I suggested another anti-spam technique for Telegram groups, to complimemt the federated spam blocks on OSM Telegram groups, specifically, requiring one has an OSM account.
• CWG
  • Posted some OSM stickers to Switzerland.
  • Some suggested a German translation of the I ♥ OpenStreetMap sticker. I need to order some of them.
  • The CWG had a long overdue meeting, where we talked about CoIs, editorial policies, and some possible new CWG members
• Board
  • October Screen2Screen (minutes on OSMF website)
    • We talked about many things, and I found it energising.
    • I found the discussion about Attribution Guidelines effective, as well as ensuring us board members don’t sucuum to burn out.
    • It was useful to talk through the budget and get it all clear in my head. As usual, there will be a Treasurers report at the AGM in Dec
  • AGM
    • The 14th Annual General Meeting of the OSMF will be held on 12 Dec. 2020 (countdown)
    • Possible AoA changes We’re thinking of proposing some changes to the Articles of Association of the OpenStreetMap Foundation
      • In an attempt to work more in the open, I emailed osmf-talk@ about this.
      • With more details, I emailed again about committees, active contributor full membership, and freedom to vote
      • The “free to vote” idea is controversial, so I sought advice from our corporate counsel, but he’s still sick.
  • OSMF’s Advisory Board
    • Local Chapters & Gold (& above) Corporate Members get one seat
    • One meeting with the Local Chapters
      • There were several examples of “oh I didn’t know that was an option”. Perhaps if people communicate more, we might avoid these missed communications.
      • It was pointed out that the Foundation should seek advice from Local Chapters more often, but that one needs to give the group time (e.g. one month) to form a reply.
    • One meeting with the Corporate Members
      • They had some feedback about the draft Attribution Guidelines, since it would require them to do more than they do now.
  • Attribution Guidelines, The board continues to work on this
    • I finally replied to our corporate counsel based on their last email
    • There was a Board/LWG meeting about attribution, which was quite productive.
  • Local Chapter applications
    • DRC
      • skimmed their constition, looked OK
    • Uganda
      • Reviewed their constituion and found a potential issue
      • Call with them to discuss, and looks like this can be resolved. Stay tuned. 🙂
    • Organised a Local Chapter (OpenStreetMap Ireland) to present at the Nov. Board meeting
  • Reddit AMA
    • Some organisation on my side was needed.
    • Some of us board members will do AMA (Ask Me Anything), on the popular web forum Reddit (on the r/openstreetmap) on 9 November
    • You can already submit your questions.
    • Promoted the event on Fediverse/Mastodon, my OSM Diary, osmf-talk@ mailing lsit, talk@ mailing list, OSMUS Slack, #osm IRC channel, Telegram

Previously: September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 Mar 2020 Feb 2020 Jan 2020

(For those curious, my bicycle injury (a fractured collarbone), is practically healed. I can use both my arms! The physiotherapy is helping.)