this post was submitted on 26 Jul 2023
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Technology

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[–] maynarkh@feddit.nl 76 points 2 years ago (5 children)

While this is not bad, didn't these companies considered just contributing to OpenStreetMap? Why is starting a new thing better?

[–] rgalex@lemmy.world 51 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (2 children)

It seems they consider themselves complimentary with OpenStreetMap, as stated on their FAQ https://overturemaps.org/resources/faq/#

Overture is a data-centric map project, not a community of individual map editors. Therefore, Overture is intended to be complementary to OSM. We combine OSM with other sources to produce new open map data sets. Overture data will be available for use by the OpenStreetMap community under compatible open data licenses. Overture members are encouraged to contribute to OSM directly.

I don't know a lot about any of both projects, but it seems fair.

[–] miss_brainfart@lemmy.ml 9 points 2 years ago

Almost sounds too fair, like there's a catch. You can never know with these guys.

[–] amju_wolf@pawb.social 4 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

It makes sense; OSM is a great source of mapping data, but it misses POIs like businesses and whatnot. If I understand it correctly they all want to chip in to make a huge combined dataset that has the potential to rival Google Maps, especially if they all use it and allow people to contribute as easily as you can do on Google Maps.

[–] borlax@lemmy.borlax.com 36 points 2 years ago (2 children)

Can’t collect data on users without starting their own thing.

[–] Thorny_Thicket@sopuli.xyz 5 points 2 years ago (2 children)

How would data collection work in this case though?

[–] ReversalHatchery@beehaw.org 3 points 2 years ago

With their own map apps for phones and such, possibly

[–] borlax@lemmy.borlax.com 3 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

Either by launching their own apps or by having access to Overture’s usage stats and meta data.

[–] Contend6248@feddit.de 3 points 2 years ago

That must be it, all these companies are known to give not a single fuck about privacy.

[–] IllNess 26 points 2 years ago (1 children)

This does use OpenStreetMap. It adds other public data from other sources.

Out of the four layers Overture Maps provides, th ey use OpenStreetMap for the Transportation and Building layers.

[–] ReversalHatchery@beehaw.org 3 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Using it is not contributing to it. Or am I a contributor to the Linux kernel, and even to Windows itself?

[–] IllNess 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

For Windows, considering how much data is sent back to Microsoft, using Windows contributes in it's own way.

Overture says they are providing data. What ever is contributed to OSM is up to the OSMF, not Overture.

[–] ReversalHatchery@beehaw.org 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

No, you misunderstand.

Overture maps does not contribute in any way to OSM by using it. It just takes its data, and provides it at an alternate place. Just as I do not contribute to the development of Windows and Linux by using them.

[–] shortwavesurfer@monero.town 20 points 2 years ago

Good question. Contributing to OSM seems like the better route. Pun intended.

[–] XTL@sopuli.xyz -2 points 2 years ago

That wouldn't be evil. And they probably can't just take over OSM or one would have already.