On 8 mrt. 2014, at 21:48, Russell Nelson <russnelson@gmail.com> wrote:

On Fri, Mar 7, 2014 at 7:36 PM, Derk-Jan Hartman <d.j.hartman+wmf_ml@gmail.com> wrote:

This is thinking way too simple. Would it be nice to be able to do this ? Sure, but we already have dynamic maps. WikiMiniAtlas, the german OSM map. Those even have area highlights these days. Can they be better ? sure, is that something difficult, is it really needed ? No not really x2. Wikipedians are much more focused on making static maps usually.

That map is utter crap, completely unusable for any kind of mobile usage, even if it were georeferenced.


Is it possible / useful to generate thematic renderings of OSM tiles? Sure, and they look really good, for example here: http://www.itoworld.com/map/15

My feeling is that Wikipedia has desperately needed a map generator, whether static or dynamic, for at least five years now. Yet something always comes between Wikipedia and OSM for some reason. I think it's because people keep saying that that's too easy! We need to do something better, something more complicated, something that's a real challenge. Well, if it's so simple, why doesn't every page with coordinates have a map?? Obviously, it's NOT that simple.

I see I failed to make my point. Its indeed NOT simple. We keep thinking that it's simple: 'build some technology and people will come' but models like that have proven to fail quite often (especially on en.wp). You need to find the user stories, find the building blocks and see where you get the most return for your money/effort. If you want something to succeed, you need a very concerted effort that leads to integration and acceptance. Not just one thing: Let's build the map. You need a line of careful steps with goals and metrics, reflection and evaluation. One of those steps might be to "build the map", but it's definitely not the only one. 

DJ