Where’s Stonehenge on Google Maps?

Maps and OpenStreetMap are in the news again, part silly season, and part reporting of interesting subjects from the RGS conference.

The news boils down to this:

Google maps are missing out on interesting points of interest, which is bad as maps are cool.

OpenStreetMap maps interesting points of interest, cos we like those places.

But, what I find interesting is what Ed Parsons says:

“Internet maps can now be personalised, allowing people to include landmarks and information that is of interest to them.

“Anyone can create their own maps or use experiences to collaborate with others in charting their local knowledge.

“These traditional landmarks are still on the map but people need to search for them. Interactive maps will display precisely the information people want, when they want it.

“You couldn’t possibly have everything already pinpointed.”

Which to me is clearly saying “we are not interested in putting on pubs, churches and places like Stonehenge – the web does that for us” – extra layers, GeoRSS, geotagged photos.

Search for “pubs” on maps.google and you’ll find pubs. Search for stonehenge and you’ll find stonehenge. Not much space for serendipity, and exploring a rich map, but it’s a vision of a geoweb that makes complete sense.

More evidence of the lack of competition between the big G and OpenStreetMap – OSM goes beyond the web, and ends up on paper, in people’s phones, whilst cycling and walking, on tourist maps and guide books.

So, now go out and map Bradford – record it’s history!

Flickr uses OpenStreetMap

http://www.flickr.com/map?&fLat=39.912&fLon=116.3783&zl=4

openstreetmap Beijing map in Flickr

Very nice. Very timely.

2nd Leeds Mapping Party with Leeds First Web Festival

In just under two weeks, on the Sunday during Barcamp, we’re having the Second Leeds Openstreetmap Mapping Party.

It’s free but sign up at the eventwax form, so we know how many people to come. GPS and instruction are provided, so newbies are more than welcome. The party is sponsored by Cloudmade.com, the “disruptive” startup founded by Nick and Steve. Cheers guys! The main organised day is Sunday, starting at 10:30, and meeting back at lunch to hand off from barcamp, with drinks and a meal in the evening but if you are around on the Saturday, you are encouraged to do some mapping too!

It’s almost a year since the first mapping party, and a lot has been done, the number of mappers in and around the city has tripled in size, and there are less blank spaces on the map. Here’s a map showing the state a year ago, and the state today.

The mapping event it also part of Leeds’ First Web Festival, snappily known as LS1.

A month of tech and web events that shows this city as being a major hub for innovation and creativity. (The first movie ever made was filmed in Leeds in 1888, and Leeds had the first traffic lights in 1928!)