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jmadeline's Diary

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As stated in my previous diary entry, I wanted to investigate the locations of water bottle refill stations on campus. I checked the SFSU area on OSM a few days later, and someone seemed to beat me to it. They added the locations of the remaining water bottle refill stations. This was unfortunate on my behalf, but all was not lost. I decided to investigate the areas and to add details/notes of the exact locations of the water bottle refill stations (floor level, what they are nearby, etc). Once I was done making notes on my Field Paper, I added the notes to the water bottle refill stations on OSM. The only water bottle refill station I didn’t add notes on was the one located in the science building, seeing that the building has been closed this semester. I also decided to add one of the bioswale’s on campus, located near the science building.

When filling out my field paper, I noticed that the water bottle refill stations were usually located wherever bathrooms were. This makes sense, seeing that water fountains and bathrooms are usually located near each other. Most stations were easy to locate and in accessible areas of the building. But, some places were really hard to find. The Fine Arts building is an interesting building to navigate, I was lost trying to find anything. I can also see how some people may find difficulty navigating the Cesar Chavez Student Center, with it’s unique building style.

I have never mapped data before on the field, this was my first time doing something like this.

Link to my field paper

Link to change log history

Using OpenStreetMap during lab was the first time I have ever used OSM, I had no prior experience with it. To my knowledge, I have also never digitized anything before in another class. The changes I made on OSM were adding various amenities and areas at SFSU, and also areas around Parkmerced. I added the water bottle refill stations in the Cesar Chavez Student Center, and the location of the ASI Farmer’s Market. Around Parkmerced, I added the location of the Parkmerced Community Garden and the nearby Montessori Children’s Center. I only edited/added features that I was absolutely sure of, in regards to their location. I am aware that there are other locations of water refill bottle stations on campus, but before adding the features on OSM - I wanted to see them for myself, to be positive of their location. My next step after was to use my Field Paper to find the water bottle refill stations on campus.

One of the difficulties I encountered was a problem I can assume happens in OSM often. You have an idea, you plan to do the field work for it, but someone beats you to it! I also state this in my second diary entry, but someone fulfilled the work that I wanted to do on OSM for the SFSU water bottle refill stations. Another difficulty I encountered was canopy cover. While working on my Filed Paper, I decided to add an area (a bioswale near the science building). The tree cover on the map made it difficult for me to get an idea of exactly where I should add this area. To solve this problem, I used my best guesses of the location with the help of nearby structures.

Link to change log history