Book Image

OpenStreetMap

Book Image

OpenStreetMap

Overview of this book

Imagine being able to create accurate maps that look how you want them to, and use them on the Web or in print, for free. OpenStreetMap allows exactly that, with no restrictions on how or where you use your maps. OpenStreetMap is perfect for businesses that want to include maps on their website or in publications without paying high fees. With this book in hand you have the power to make, alter, and use this geographical data in a collaborative way from anywhere on the Earth.OpenStreetMap was started because most maps you think of as free actually have legal or technical restrictions on their use, holding back people from using them in creative, productive, or unexpected ways. This book will allow you to take control of your own maps and use them smoothly. This book introduces the reader to the OpenStreetMap project and shows you how to participate in the project, and make use of the data it provides. No prior knowledge of the project is assumed, and technical details are kept to a minimum.In this book, you'll learn how easy it is to add your neighborhood to OpenStreetMap using inexpensive GPS equipment, or even no GPS at all. You'll find out how to communicate with other mappers working in the same area, and where to find more information about how to map the world around you.Once you have your area mapped, you'll learn how to turn this information into maps, whether for use in print or online, large or small, and with the details you want shown. The book describes several rendering methods, each suited to different types of map, and takes you through a tutorial on each one.
Table of Contents (17 chapters)
OpenStreetMap
Credits
About the Author
About the Reviewers
Preface
4
How OpenStreetMap Records Geographical Features
Index

Summary


Given the number of options available, you should always be able to get OpenStreetMap data that's at most a week old. This contrasts with proprietary geodata providers where the data could be months, possibly years out-of-date, expensive, and with restrictive license conditions attached. Getting customized subsets of data would probably be an additional expense. With OpenStreetMap, it's easy and free.

Choose the method of getting data that suits your needs best:

  • If you need country-sized sets of data, use the planet file or a pre-compiled extract file.

  • If you only need specific sets of features or smaller areas, rather than a whole country, use XAPI.

  • To get the most up-to-date version of a feature you know has changed recently, use the main API.

With OpenStreetMap, you get freedom to do things the way they suits you. You can download the whole dataset ready for processing, retrieve subsets of data for specific purposes, and even get individual features directly from the database. Even...