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Overture Maps. Good or not? (overturemaps.org)

submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by CondeMg@beehaw.org to c/foss@beehaw.org

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Hey guys, i just seen this thing. Summarising, it is a common database for all Meta, Amazon, Apple and TomTom data collected from places, routes and maps.

In my mind I've seen it as a copy of open street maps but made by big tech. They point out that is Open Source oriented, and they give instructions for API use.

Always open. The Overture schema and format aim for compatibility with free and open-source tools and technologies and avoid depending on closed-source or proprietary tools and technologies.

I mean, it is a very good idea, but my question is: Why not give all data to OpenStreetMaps, who is currently doing what they are trying? Do you see any downside or possible way to collect data/make profit or something like that?

Remember that almost any company does nothing for the love of art.

What do you all think?

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[–] ozoned@beehaw.org 19 points 1 year ago (1 children)

According to OSM, they're complementary and they kind of work together:

https://blog.openstreetmap.org/2022/12/22/views-from-the-openstreetmap-foundation-on-the-launch-of-overture/

[–] avidamoeba@lemmy.ca 5 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Pretty well thought-out statement. Looks like there are adults at the helm of OSMF. There might be money coming in like they do for Linux.

[–] alex@jlai.lu 9 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Given how much money Google Maps makes with its rate limitations, I can see why other companies want to launch their thing, unfortunately. OSM will remain the ethical option.

[–] CondeMg@beehaw.org 4 points 1 year ago

So it is a joint just to try to compete against Google maps? Makes a lot of sense now you mention it. I'm not planning to switch from OSM though!!

[–] shnizmuffin@lemmy.inbutts.lol 4 points 1 year ago

I bet there's something in OpenStreetMaps Licence that the "Steering Members" of Overture don't like.

[–] MazonnaCara89@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 year ago

I personally don't think it would replace osm, for what I just viewed on: https://bdon.github.io/overture-tiles/places.html overture poi are not really placed in the right spots and in my city there are some that are really ancient, so maybe that's why they don't want to contribute to osm directly, because they are not that good of a data, but they can become handy for a mapper that know the zone pretty well.

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