Google Maps are a great way to add quick and simple maps to a site, but there are some limitations on how you can use the service. Most of the data used by Google Maps (and most other mapping services) is licensed from commercial providers, and there are limits to how you can re-use the data.
One alternative is the OpenStreetMap project. The aim of this project is to provide a world map which is more free than the commercial offerings. The license is Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0. The project is described as like Wikipedia for maps.
The data isn’t as comprehensive or as accurate as commercial maps, but it is surprisingly good, and in some places is better than commercial offerings: http://aidworkerdaily.com/2008/10/31/open-street-map-v-google-maps-baghdad/
The underlying data being free gives developers the opportunity to create innovative applications that wouldn't be possible with the licensing restrictions of Google Maps, and allows designers to style the maps as they like.
Another advantage from using open source data, is that if you need specific data on a map you can add that data to
the OpenStreetMap database yourself. A recent example of this we the response to the crisis in Gaza at the start of
2009. Relief agencies need accurate maps, and OSM (as well as other mapping organisations) accelerated their
mapping efforts in Gaza to support aid workers on the ground
http://aidworkerdaily.com/2009/01/10/gaza-map-round-up/
Web projects using OSM data
- Crimespotting maps in Oakland and San Francisco
- Track stimulus spending by the US government
- Guardian news mapping project
Add a comment