OSM - Open Source Mapping

[Larz60+]

Has anyone worked with Open Source Mapping?

[j.crater]

If you mean OpenStreetMap (www osm) I have, but not at a low level.
I dabbled with a C++ OSM library about a year ago. I managed to get source code examples to compile, which came with makefiles anyway. But no success with my own attempts. Actually it compiled well (0 warnings/errors) but exe crashed upon execution. I haven't since returned to it, but I would like to finally make it work at some point.
I have one or two OSM books on my to-read list, but who knows when their time comes.

What is on your mind?

[Larz60+]

I do mean OpenStreetMap which is open source.

I began playing with mapping back when I discovered Tiger Line files, released by the US Census.
Tiger has since converted to ESRI shapefiles which are much easier to use.

When I got shut out of the Census last week, (I guess for a week, since I have access again ... I downloaded a 14GB file
without delays (my mistake) ) I started looking around and discovered OpenStreetMap
The Tiger project is for the USA only, and OpenStreetMap are for the much of world.

The applications that I used Tiger files for was an internal application at LCI International Telecommunications for
mapping (cell) tower locations. One of the fellows that worked with me, left the company and went on to develop a
commercial mapping program for the palm pliot micro.

I was curious of op's experience with the project, to get a feel for whether or not I wanted to spend some time learning
how to use them.

I'm a genealogy buff and have been working on my family genealogy for the past 40 years.
I thought it would be cool to map family residences, grave-sites, etc. using some sort of mapping data.

[j.crater]

A did not know about Tiger Line files, it is new for me.

It depends on what functionality you need. From what I know about OSM, I think it is right tool for you, if you want to have some control or integrate mapping/geographic capabilities in your coding project. Including accessing data for purpose of searching/drawing, developing own algorithms etc.
If you only need a tool for storing and displaying locations on a map, then there are probably easier, already developed/implemented solutions (with OSM as well).

Wow, that sure is a long career in genealogy. A friend of mine is also very enthusiastic about it, studying old birth, marriage, military etc. records. That way I learned about this website:
http://www.findagrave.com/
I bet you are familiar with it already, but nonetheless, I should mention it at this point.

[snippsat]

There are Python wrapper for OpenStreetMap API.
Eg:
osmapi

[Larz60+]

There are Python wrapper for OpenStreetMap API.
Eg:
osmapi

I found that one and already installed it.
After I go to Starbucks and have a hunk of cake and some good coffee,
I'm going to start playing with it.

Wow, that sure is a long career in genealogy

I got started in the 1970's when a cousin dropped a box of papers 'in my lap' (another one for kbap).
There were photo's of relatives from the 1800's, military records, birth and marriage certificates, etc.

Being a data nut, I started organizing the material, which led to an interest in finding other information.
Then I found a link on my mother's side to someone who came to the bay colonies in 1627, only seven
years after the Mayflower and I was hooked.

[j.crater]

osmapi is a rather low-level api used for accessing/manipulating OSM data. It is probably not sufficient to develop a user friendly application.
A list of OSM Frameworks is here: https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Frameworks

[Larz60+]

Thanks for the link J