It's been five days since I started correcting errors/warning on the Northern Cyprus map that I started oh so long ago – and it's been hard!

In a previous rant, I refer to sloppy edits; where individuals are not taking enough care when tracing from satellite imagery. This has a two-fold effect: No relation in reality to what is on the ground and a map that is difficult, if not impossible to navigate. I also have a rather controversial solution which will not be popular amongst the OSM community.

First the poor edits. I have spent countless hours (which I could have used mapping) correcting ways that are not even on highways and such like. It's just a case of taking care when tracing.

Secondly navigation. I believe that the OSM data set took on a completely different meaning when third party apps started to provide us with navigation capabilities. It's serious stuff. And if there are crossing ways, unconnected nodes and such like then it's not going to work.

Solution? Don't edit! That's right. Don't edit. In terms of man hours I have spent correcting I could have done the job myself. It's hard to say but that's the bottom line. Of course there are those who will say that it's just a question of educating users. But having looked at the “efforts” of some, I wonder if it's education or vanity (oh! Look at what I have done) that is the issue.

After a long absence I return to the map of Northern Cyprus I started for years ago and I am dismayed.

The village names have been changed from Turkish to Greek despite the on the ground rule and the edits in general are appalling.

I have spent the past two days repairing and correcting edits, and in am determined not to do so again. The problems are two fold.

First the names of villages. I have changed them back to Turkish with the Greek name in the name:el field. This will no doubt irk those who insist they should be in Greek. I intend to inform the data working group about what I think will be an edit war soon. In the meantime if anyone has s script that can check and update and amend place names then please get in contact with me.

Secondly edits in general. Here in northern Cyprus straight lines and right angles are rare. It's twists and turns all the way. This calls for extra effort when tracing with Potlatch or JOSM. Alas this has not been the case and I intend to contact the editors and ask that they take extra care.

Part and I stress part of the problem is that Potlatch does not provide a more detailed zoom level for Bing overlay. The main problem however is lack of care when editing.

Today I shall be correctly naming villages in northern Cyprus according to the on the ground rule. Trouble ahead ...