And they contribute back to the project, right? Right?
this post was submitted on 14 Apr 2024
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Just switching by itself is a huge contribution.
And I also think they pay to use it, since commercial usage is not free.
since commercial usage is not free
Commercial usage oft the osm data is free, see the OSM license. The article even speculates that they switched from Google maps due to licenses costs.
Of course this doesn't apply to commercial services that provide e.g. map tiles.
I dont think they pay anything I the article itself it says it’s free to use and that the main factor to switch were the costs. In the comments there people also say that DHL doesn’t seem to donate to the project.
Here ist the part from the article translated to English:
Since there has been no announcement of the change from either Deutsche Post or DHL, the reasons for this step remain unclear. Presumably, cost reasons may have played a role. Deutsche Post had to pay fees to Google for the use of Google Maps. The data of Openstreetmap is under a free license and may be used without payment of license fees.
I dont think they pay anything I the article itself it says it’s free to use
The data is free to download. Someone has to host the map data and that's either a 3rd party provider or self-hosted. Both cost money.
Of course, but that’s not what the previous poster was talking about. They were talking about commercial use of the data.
Someone also answered the hosting question on the golem forum, they do host it themselves: https://forum.golem.de/kommentare/opensource/paketverfolgung-und-mehr-post-und-dhl-wechseln-von-google-maps-zu-openstreetmap/immerhin-laedt-die-post-die-daten-von-den-eigenen-servern/170687,6788315,6788315,read.html
that’s not what the previous poster was talking about. They were talking about commercial use of the data.
Unless they weren't and it was a genuine confusion of OpenStreetMap with something like MapBox which is a paid service to embed OSM-based maps. I merely clarified because not everyone can be expected to know everything.
Possibly, their map data input would be absolutely massive
The simple fact companies like this se the data. Will encourage others who use those companies to update data around them.
Many small companies will find it useful to ensure OSM knows where they are. And inďeviduals who often do not choose delivery companies. Will quickly discover adding short cuts and details around them helps ensure there parcels arrive.
Not to mention most drivers for a company like this. Will want to aid other drivers if they find useful info during an of the beaten path delivery.
OSM Germany is absolutely detailed. Honestly, german contributors could spare some time mapping in other countries.
Germany looks detailed but a lot of information is missing. The most important part is to get osm recognized by the people as the map source. Where companies add their info because they see value in doing so because if you are not on osm, your business doesn't exist.
@selokichtli @julianwgs in the early days, people used to joke that to get good data in #OpenStreetMap you either had to import data, or import Germans. 🤣🤣
@amapanda @selokichtli @julianwgs
There was also this joke (which did turn darker two years later): https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Quotes#2012-07-20 .
At least for the more fundamental information like paths or trails this is true. I only really get to map stuff when in holidays abroad, because here you have to check a 100 times if something is mapped to find a handful of chances to contribute anything, which has a frustrating feel to it 😅
Have you heard of Streetcomplete? If not it's an app which turns OSM mapping into a game of sorts.
It shows bubbles for missing information at your current location. I.e. what's the surface type of this particular road or way? What kind of parking lot is this? What are the opening hours of this shop?
Yes I know it, and sometimes use it for a little. But the vast majority of things it presents to complete to me feel rather unimportant. My leisure time isn't exactly plenty, and then I rather do other things I see more value in. Even surface type is mapped most of the time, and I don't take the effort to map surface quality because it is not used for anything. Maybe I'll make an App at some point that infers surface quality automatically while road biking from the acceleration sensor in the phone mounted to the handlebar...
I don’t take the effort to map surface quality because it is not used for anything.
Just so you know. It can be invaluable to disabled people trying to get around.
Myself. With visual impairment. Where my vision can change drematically from day to day.
Knowing the surface quality can let me know if a route can be done with just a cane. Or if on a bad day I am better off just going a longer route. Or waiting till a better day.
Please remember what seems unimportant to you. Can be absolutely essential to others less able to answer the questions then yourself.
@HumanPenguin @skilltheamps I'm totally curious about how many apps, or services depend directly on the field terrain quality or any other accessibility data on OSM. Is there a lot of people that use it on his daily life, or is it there other data sources that are bigger or more used than OSM?
I use it via osm directly when available. Others will likely start to develop apps that use such data. Once enough people bother to provide it.
There are many many apps developed specifically to aid disabled people. But as the people using those apps are often the least able to gather the data. It is down to people with more mobility to provide data before it can practically be used by developers.
I do my best when in an area and my vision is more available. Although its always pretty crap. At the better times I can at least tell the surface.
Unfortunately OS data is one of those things. You need the horse before the cart. So it requires people to understand potential uses rather then actual use at the time.
As the idea of the data is to be available to less resourced developers. As well as OS ideals in genral. It is unreasonable to only expect data to be of value if you see a value today.
PS I am in no way suggesting you are wrong for how you choose to use your time. It is yours and its value can onlybe judged by yourself.
I am just trying to point out that the data you see little value in. Can be important to others. Either now for those with some technical inclination. Or in the future if gathered by those willing to consider it.
@HumanPenguin thank you, now I will see more value in those tasks that looked too "trivial" or too specific for someone to care.
You can turn off tasks which you don't want to do.
Finally all those doors I mapped become valuable for someone.
Awesome. Always annoyed me when I got a delivery from them, but couldn't view the map without selling my soul to Google.
This is great news!
Could someone post a translation?
Deutsche Post and DHL switch from Google Maps to Openstreetmap
The Deutsche Post and DHL no longer use Google Maps when tracking. Instead, they rely on maps of Openstreetmap.
Deutsche Post and DHL have switched internally to Openstreetmap when it comes to functions that access map data. With this step, all functions of DHL or Deutsche Post should continue to be usable for customers as usual. Only the look of the map material is different from Google Maps at Openstreetmap.
Officially, this step was not announced by Deutsche Post or DHL. Anyone, who displays the position of the DHL vehicle in the map, when tracking parcels in the future, does not see this with map data from Google Maps. This applies both to parcel tracking on the DHL website and in the DHL app.
For many other services from Deutsche Post and DHL, the map material from Openstreetmap is now also used. This applies, for example, to the search for DHL locations, for finding mailboxes, post offices or packing stations on the Deutsche Post website.
This should reduce costs
Since there is neither an announcement of the change from Deutsche Post nor from DHL, the reasons for this step remain unclear. Costs are likely to have played a role. For the use of Google Maps, Deutsche Post had to pay fees to Google. The data of Openstreetmap is licensed under a free license and may be used without payment of license costs.
It is not known whether the Deutsche Post or DHL is planning new features that may not be feasible with the map material from Google Maps and can now be achieved by switching to Openstreetmap.
The international project Openstreetmap was founded in 2004 and provides its map data without charge. They are created by the commitment of volunteers and convince again and again with more details than map data from commercial providers such as Google Maps. All data on roads, train routes, rivers, hiking trails, forests and houses are collected by the participants themselves.
Thanks