Hello to everyone,
I'd like to share some tips for beginning mappers, as many new mappers joined OGF the last weeks and many questions came up.
- ==Use JOSM== It will be your best friend when it comes to mapping! It gives you many possibilities that you will miss with the default OSM mapping tool in the browser. You can download it here. You can find information about OGF at the User Help and Resources page.
- ==OSM is your friend==
OGF is based on OSM (=Open Street Map), a free online map, created by many participants voluntarilly. The same rules as for OSM mapping are present in OGF (in terms of tags). If you are not sure about how to create some node (e.g. a train station), google for it ("OSM trainstation"), or browse directly in the OSM wiki. For special questions, you can also ask OGF members. - ==Start simple and get into detail later on==
First of all set up some major roads (but please really no more big highways ^^) to get some general look of the city layout. You can also create a basic plan with any paint program and then project the image onto the OGF map (JOSM only). After having found the favourite layout, you can go into detail. - ==Take care of the streets==
Don't create too many major roads. Always think about the cost-usage factor. Is it really necessary to connect a village with an highway? Poor countries shouldn't even have highways. - ==Collaborate==
Take care of the other mappers in collaborative or blue countries. Don't edit within their work without permission or a discussion. Of course you can create a new place in blue countries without asking, but for major projects (that you're unsure of?) ask more experienced mappers to help you and discuss it. - ==Adjust your edits==
Try to take care of already existing places and their layout. Of course you can add your personal style to an area, but the transition shouldn't look to "sharp" (highways in a poor country). The OGF-wikia can give you some basic informations about a country
I hope that the tips help some mappers to get started with OGF.
Feel free to add own points that are important in your opinion.