Why does StreetComplete have non-free dependancies but OpenStreetMap is completely free/libre? I'm not going to install StreetComplete because of that.
this post was submitted on 15 Nov 2024
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The only thing which F-Droid reports is that it uses jawg.io for visualising the map tiles and that is considered non-free is because it is... commercial?
This is the quote from the Streetcomplete github:
Since mid 2020, JawgMaps provides their vector map tiles service to StreetComplete for free, i.e. the background map displayed in the app.
Personally I don't care that much about FOSS/non-FOSS but IMO a reason like that is least of my concerns when looking at open source. If they're providing a free (as in money) service to an open source app then that's perfectly fine.
Over time I've grown very concerned about non-FOSs simply due to constant datamining. Including for products people buy, they still want customers to install a proprietary app and register the product with serial, name, etc, for extra functionality. So on a phone, I have hard restrictions on what I refuse to install so that no apps have access to anything on phone or how I use it.
In that case .... you could install StreetComplete without concern.
I started to use it, IT'S AMAZING! HOLY.. Something to do while walking is to observe and ask around, which I want to do, without having no reason to do y'know.
When I get asked why, I just say I'm just confirming what ~~Google Maps~~ said to me (which tbf can be outdated) so I get updated!
I like it, especially in my city and region where I haven't heard of major OSM users or editors..
Thank you so much for recommending this!
I need to get back into OSM. Pokemon Go was the reason I initially started contributing. The game uses (used?) OSM map data, and certain Pokemons will spawn near certain biomes (water, woods, etc).
My little cousin played the hell out of PG around 2017-2018, and they mostly played it around the big park in our town. At the time, the park appeared on OSM (and by extension PG) as a featureless green polygon with a few roads and footpaths. In reality it has a bunch of woods, streams, a pond, playground, public pool etc. So I did a quick readup on how to add stuff to OSM and I gave the park a digital makeover. I even walked around the footpaths with my phone and marked them out with the GPS so that they would appear in the map more accurately.
Unfortunately it was quite a while before Pokemon Go updated its OSM database, and my cousin lost interest in the game by then. But I kept at contributing for quite a few years, adding random stuff in spurts and stopping for a month or two
Does it work without data service or a SIM?
Yes! You can download nearby quests for your location, and complete them fully offline. Afterwards, you can connect to the internet to upload your edits to OSM at your earliest convenience.
Wow I didn't know this! I'll have to try this the next time I'm out.
For iOS, Go Map!! (source) has a similar quests system. I don't know how well they hold up to StreetComplete though, I've never used the latter.
Also, obligatory https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/How_to_contribute!
Love me some street complete! It's a great way for me to get out of the house and do stuff even when places are closed, since I'm not awake during the day
The info you enter is then directly added to the OpenStreetMap in your name, without the need to use another editor.
Wut mean?
You sign in with your OSM account, and then when you add information via street complete your account submits the changes without needing to use the more advanced osm web interface
"your name" is the account you made to make submissions?
Yes, your OpenStreetMap username. Does not need to be something truly related to you, in fact since most of your edits are likely to be near where you live or work I would strongly recommend they not be something related to you or any usernames you would normally use online.
thank you! alright my paranoia laden privacy shit posters... got to do our part!