- cross-posted to:
- [email protected]
- [email protected]
- cross-posted to:
- [email protected]
- [email protected]
cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/26246923
Currently there’s only 3 big players when it comes to maps. You’ve got Google, Apple and Microsoft.
Let’s try to make OpenStreetMap the best map there is. Go grab StreetComplete and start mapping your surroundings when you’re out and about.
All the data is under a public license and managed by a non-profit foundation in the UK.
It’s very easy to get started, and quite addictive.
As the OSM data is freely available, a lot of apps build on it.
Try:
Best is to download them and see which work best for your uses and location.
I prefer Organic Maps over Google for navigation pathfinding and interface. It doesn’t do any of the flipping back and forth on route selection. It tells you your exit well ahead of time including exit number every time. None of the “in 13km stay on the road you’re already on” annoyance.
The only thing Google Maps has better is their access to user GPS tracking data and user saturation, so they can identify slowdowns and reroute.
For android users: Get osmand from f-droid instead of the google play store. When I installed from the google play store I ran into an map area download limit which does not seem to be there on the f-droid distribution.
They have a team of employees working on the app and the hosting of servers to package the data in downloadable files also costs money. So consider donating if you don’t want to use the Play version.
Yes, the Play Store version only allows live updates for OSM contributors (up to a point and, once there have been enough it is free for all), whereas the F-droid version has no such restrictions.