4 ms·

I discovered that recently, it's a very fun way to contribute to OpenStreetMap, and the UI is really well-done, it's totally beginner friendly! I wish there was

by aweb 2mo ago

I discovered that recently, it's a very fun way to contribute to OpenStreetMap, and the UI is really well-done, it's totally beginner friendly! I wish there was a way to do more than labeling though, like add simple roads and footpaths

jdboyd 2mo ago
I think adding things, instead of updating existing things with missing data is where you get into needing a more serious app. I keep Vespucci for when I want to initiate an edit, and StreetComplete for fun filling in missing information tasks.
janpeuker 2mo ago
I love the app idea but I don't think it's beginner friendly - for example it starts zoomed out of the globe and there is no button to zoom to the location; also it's unclear what the hatched lines until one zooms in.
- up-the-hill-4 2mo ago
  There's a button to zoom to the location at the bottom right, the same spot as Google maps (and the same icon too).
eskori 2mo ago
I have used it one (1) time in my life, ans it was my first experience with OpenStreetMap in general. It was pretty fun! It's very intuitive and makes you learn just how detailed and specific map data can be. Can't say much about missing features since I don't event know what can be done. Recommended experience, it's like playing Pokemon Go without the evil part :)
- hadi121 2mo ago
  What's the "evil" part?
  - weavie 2mo ago
    Probably https://arstechnica.com/ai/2026/06/pokemon-go-players-unwittingly-contributed-to-tech-with-military-drone-uses/ https://arstechnica.com/ai/2026/06/pokemon-go-players-unwitt...
    - throw101010 2mo ago
      Then again you produce public open-source data when you contribute to OSM, and nothing prevents the military from using it for morally questionable purposes... at the end of the day the only difference is the intermediary that could make a profit selling the data, no?
      - black_puppydog 2mo ago
        well, I sure don't get to have access to all the pokémon data even if I ask very nicely, do I? I'd think that's a (related but important) difference
        throw101010 2mo ago
        I was questioning the qualification of Pokemon Go being "evil" here, it's the data broker and the military who are evil in this case in my opinion. (Making it open-source also doesn't help, as I said we'd only short-circuit the intermediary who sold this data). Maybe it's a useless nuance, but I don't think Pokemon Go gamers should feel/evil or even that they should be careful the next time they try to entertain themselves.
      - koolala 2mo ago
        No, the huge difference is creating the good part. Where is the open data for the general public created from Pokemon GO? You can't stop the military using open data but that is on them. The evil is them getting your private data to have an exclusive advantage people have no control or transparency over.
        throw101010 2mo ago
Ajedi32 2mo ago
Usually if I need to add a footpath I use the "Create new track recording" feature to trace out the path with GPS, then come back to it later on desktop. Adding paths is pretty awkward to do on mobile, especially since there's no satellite overlay.
- 0l 2mo ago
  FYI someone else has probably already traced this through Strava, which is allowed to be used for tracing: <https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Strava#Data_Permission_-_Allowed_for_tracing! https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Strava#Data_Permission_-...>
  - tga_d 2mo ago
    Strava doesn't have complete coverage, especially on newer trails, but more importantly: doing the trace via Street Complete attaches it to an OSM note with an optional (but encouraged) photo. This additional context makes it a lot more useful for editors than an ordinary trace, which can just as easily be an actual trail, a desire path, or someone deciding to improvise a shortcut through some brush. Even if the note just contains the word "trail", that helps us (though more detail is greatly appreciated, of course).
- nightpool 2mo ago
  StreetComplete doesn't have satellite overlays, but both Vespucci and EveryDoor support viewing satellite overlay tiles!
  - KomoD 2mo ago
    Though if you like StreetComplete and want aerial/satellite, there's SCEE, a fork of StreetComplete. I tried both Vespucci and EveryDoor, but neither is nearly as easy to use in my opinion. https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/SCEE https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/SCEE
    - khahlsvr 2mo ago

by aweb 2mo ago

jdboyd 2mo ago

I think adding things, instead of updating existing things with missing data is where you get into needing a more serious app. I keep Vespucci for when I want to initiate an edit, and StreetComplete for fun filling in missing information tasks.

janpeuker 2mo ago

I love the app idea but I don't think it's beginner friendly - for example it starts zoomed out of the globe and there is no button to zoom to the location; also it's unclear what the hatched lines until one zooms in.

up-the-hill-4 2mo ago
There's a button to zoom to the location at the bottom right, the same spot as Google maps (and the same icon too).

eskori 2mo ago

I have used it one (1) time in my life, ans it was my first experience with OpenStreetMap in general. It was pretty fun! It's very intuitive and makes you learn just how detailed and specific map data can be. Can't say much about missing features since I don't event know what can be done. Recommended experience, it's like playing Pokemon Go without the evil part :)

hadi121 2mo ago
What's the "evil" part?
- weavie 2mo ago
  Probably https://arstechnica.com/ai/2026/06/pokemon-go-players-unwittingly-contributed-to-tech-with-military-drone-uses/ https://arstechnica.com/ai/2026/06/pokemon-go-players-unwitt...
  - throw101010 2mo ago
    Then again you produce public open-source data when you contribute to OSM, and nothing prevents the military from using it for morally questionable purposes... at the end of the day the only difference is the intermediary that could make a profit selling the data, no?
    - black_puppydog 2mo ago
      well, I sure don't get to have access to all the pokémon data even if I ask very nicely, do I? I'd think that's a (related but important) difference
      - throw101010 2mo ago
        I was questioning the qualification of Pokemon Go being "evil" here, it's the data broker and the military who are evil in this case in my opinion. (Making it open-source also doesn't help, as I said we'd only short-circuit the intermediary who sold this data). Maybe it's a useless nuance, but I don't think Pokemon Go gamers should feel/evil or even that they should be careful the next time they try to entertain themselves.
    - koolala 2mo ago
      No, the huge difference is creating the good part. Where is the open data for the general public created from Pokemon GO? You can't stop the military using open data but that is on them. The evil is them getting your private data to have an exclusive advantage people have no control or transparency over.
      - throw101010 2mo ago

Ajedi32 2mo ago

Usually if I need to add a footpath I use the "Create new track recording" feature to trace out the path with GPS, then come back to it later on desktop. Adding paths is pretty awkward to do on mobile, especially since there's no satellite overlay.

0l 2mo ago
FYI someone else has probably already traced this through Strava, which is allowed to be used for tracing: <https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Strava#Data_Permission_-_Allowed_for_tracing! https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Strava#Data_Permission_-...>
- tga_d 2mo ago
  Strava doesn't have complete coverage, especially on newer trails, but more importantly: doing the trace via Street Complete attaches it to an OSM note with an optional (but encouraged) photo. This additional context makes it a lot more useful for editors than an ordinary trace, which can just as easily be an actual trail, a desire path, or someone deciding to improvise a shortcut through some brush. Even if the note just contains the word "trail", that helps us (though more detail is greatly appreciated, of course).
nightpool 2mo ago
StreetComplete doesn't have satellite overlays, but both Vespucci and EveryDoor support viewing satellite overlay tiles!
- KomoD 2mo ago
  Though if you like StreetComplete and want aerial/satellite, there's SCEE, a fork of StreetComplete. I tried both Vespucci and EveryDoor, but neither is nearly as easy to use in my opinion. https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/SCEE https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/SCEE
  - khahlsvr 2mo ago