NOTICE: help.openstreetmap.org is no longer in use from 1st March 2024. Please use the OpenStreetMap Community Forum

I am relatively new to OSM, and I've been busy adding tons of info to my neighborhood (which is sorely lacking). Sometimes, however, I'm not sure if I'm being a bit too detailed and wasting my time as well as cluttering the map. For an example, see http://osm.org/go/ZDP4UVfqG . The pool at that link has every sidewalk, water fountain, gate, and even the steps mapped. Is this really necessary? Should I just simplify it by only adding the pool and maybe a fence and then move on to editing on a larger scale? I just want to make sure I'm doing the right thing; so far, I've gone with "more detailed is better."

asked 31 Aug '14, 03:43

iansan5653's gravatar image

iansan5653
1917812
accept rate: 0%

edited 31 Aug '14, 09:53

aseerel4c26's gravatar image

aseerel4c26 ♦
32.6k18248554

1

IMHO there's nothing wrong with more, if not used now it's there for any future use. BTW your link doesn't work for me. Regard

(31 Aug '14, 07:28) BCNorwich
1

I agree with BCN. Different data could be useful to somebody or some study which may not be apparent now. Map creators (or render styles) can choose what is shown on their map.

(31 Aug '14, 08:39) andy mackey

@BCNorwich: now the link works. There was just the "." included in it.

(31 Aug '14, 09:54) aseerel4c26 ♦

You could consider details of the building as well, level, material be your own guide and enjoy mapping. Theres a lot to do.

(31 Aug '14, 11:49) Hendrikklaas

There are two circumstances where I'd consider that it's possible to put too much information in OpenStreetMap:

  • Unmaintainable data. If you survey every single shop in a city, that's great - but is there a community there to keep the data up-to-date after you've finished? Or are you prepared to keep resurveying it and updating? Roads don't change often, but shops in some parts of town do.
  • Over-fussy data. Really really intricate data can be hard to edit, and unnecessarily "bloat" the data. You have to be going some to be over-fussy by OSM standards, but a good example would be a curved road with more points than are necessary, or a natural forest with every single tree mapped.

Other than that, knock yourself out. It sounds like you've mapped stuff that won't change much, so you should be fine.

permanent link

answered 31 Aug '14, 17:23

Richard's gravatar image

Richard ♦
30.9k44279412
accept rate: 18%

Follow this question

By Email:

Once you sign in you will be able to subscribe for any updates here

By RSS:

Answers

Answers and Comments

Markdown Basics

  • *italic* or _italic_
  • **bold** or __bold__
  • link:[text](http://url.com/ "title")
  • image?![alt text](/path/img.jpg "title")
  • numbered list: 1. Foo 2. Bar
  • to add a line break simply add two spaces to where you would like the new line to be.
  • basic HTML tags are also supported

Question tags:

×352
×193
×29
×14
×2

question asked: 31 Aug '14, 03:43

question was seen: 4,751 times

last updated: 31 Aug '14, 17:23

NOTICE: help.openstreetmap.org is no longer in use from 1st March 2024. Please use the OpenStreetMap Community Forum