Archive:FCX/Unconference/Mapping DC

We talked about what OpenStreetMap is... similar to Wikipedia, but for maps, with collaborative contributions, an open source platform, and all the underlying data is open source. With the data, you can make custom mashups and renderings, such as opencyclemap or the University of Maryland's campus map.

Contribute
The easiest way to contribute to the map is to use the edit tab on http://www.openstreetmap.org, which brings up the Flash-based Potlatch editor. For more advanced users or those who don't use Flash, there is the JOSM (Java-based) editor, and Quantum GIS (QGIS) now has a built-in plugin for OpenStreetMap.

Once you get the hang of how OpenStreetMap works, for the more technically-inclined, there are opportunities to hack on the OpenStreetMap codebase and various tools.

Get involved
In the Washington DC area, there is an active group of mappers that meets regularly, including mapping parties (e.g. we mapped the National Zoo in September) and we work on data imports. Go to http://mappingdc.org to learn more and to signup for the mailing list. We would be very happy to involve students in what we do, can do longer workshops, or have students at future mapping parties and events.

Beyond DC, OpenStreetMap contributors across the US are working on forming a US chapter of the OpenStreetMap Foundation. We may organize a mapping event in New York City in the spring or summer, and we are organizing a US OpenStreetMap conference to take place this summer in Atlanta.

More information
The main site and map:
 * http://www.openstreetmap.org

This is the OpenStreetMap wiki:
 * http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/

This is the page for the United States:
 * http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/WikiProject_United_States
 * http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Foundation/Local_Chapters/United_States (this has chapters activity)

Mailing lists:
 * http://lists.openstreetmap.org/listinfo/talk (this is the main list for all of OpenStreetMap, and has high traffic)
 * http://lists.openstreetmap.org/listinfo/talk-us (this is for OpenStreetMap in the US, lower traffic)

Contact
Please contact if you have questions or want to get involved with OpenStreetMap:
 * Katie Filbert - E-mail