Finally got my feet wet contributing to OSM, and with the cutting-edge in-browser iD editor (thanx MapBox!), it was really a snap to digitize some building footprints around the northeast corner of SFSU campus.

This was my first active experience with Open Street Map, though I have been aware of their work for some time, including the (way back) lack of traction in the US perhaps due to the USGS already mapping it for free. But a confluence of events now sees the OSM movement picking up steam stateside and I’m glad to be finally contributing.

My initial contribution (tracked by changeset #210555275 ) was: Added SFSU Greenhouse2, University Park North Rental Office Building, Thornton Hall Annex Buildings N,O,P,Q,R,S, and improved building footprint of Thornton Hall on SFSU campus for #SFSUCarto.

The only difficulties I encounted were around the zoom levels maxing out at 19 for map view and some waiting times for the map tiles to render. Also, while the browser-based iD editor is a revelation, the dark background is not the best for accurate digitizing. Finally, the unavoidable shadows and trees from the Bing satellite imagery made it a bit challenging to trace all the building outlines, but with patience and guesstimation, the areas got closed.

I digg the instant gratification of online real-time digitizing, especially compared to my other stints fighting with the ArcGIS editor tools on a complex geologic map of the Modoc region of California, work I did as a consultant with the California Geologic Survey.

Overall, I found a blank space on the map and was able to start filling it, which provided a surprising sense of ownership around this work and this newly mapped place.

It also brought home the thoughts behind the seminal “The World Needs Open Street Map” blog post in that Place is indeed a shared resource, and should not be owned by any corporate or gov’t entity but open and available to all. Long Live VGI (Volunteered Geographic Information) and Long Live OSM.