OpenStreetMap - a free and open map alternative

Nowadays it is easy to determine one’s location or navigate to a destination using maps and apps provided, e.g., by Google, Apple or Microsoft. However, we tend to forget that every time we use those tools, we send data about our location to their owning companies. Further, usage of their services is limited to their apps or web platforms, and thus requires an internet connection. Finally, we rely on the correctness and accuracy of their data, and cannot directly make changes in case we notice any errors or necessary updates.

Fortunately, there is an alternative. In this talk, we will show you OpenStreetMap (OSM) - a free and open database of geographic data. It is used by various free and open applications, including, but not limited to, online and offline maps, navigation and geocoding. Moreover, it is possible to download the raw data as well, and convert it to numerous formats for specific use cases. The first part of the presentation will show you some OSM based applications and tools for using OSM data, in particular focused on maps and navigation.

Furthermore, OSM allows everybody to edit and contribute to the existing data, and changes enter the database in real time. This allows making corrections and additions to the existing data, which propagate into the aforementioned applications as soon as they request the updated data from the OSM database. The second part of the presentation thus focuses on editing OSM data, giving an overview of existing editing tools, and then showing JOSM in more detail.