Unit 1 Facilitator Guide¶

Basic Competency¶

Draw paper maps to gain a basic understanding of OpenStreetMap

Indicators¶

1. Understand the concept of OpenStreetMap

2. Understand the definition and objectives of data collection

3. Understand the composition of a map

4. Make a hand-drawn sketch of an area

Outcomes¶

1. Questions and comments about OSM, data and maps

2. Hand-drawn sketch of an area

Core Material¶

The OpenStreetMap Website

1. Concept of OpenStreetMap

2. Definition and objectives of data collection

3. Components of a map

4. Hand-drawn sketch of an area

Activities¶

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)¶

How did the UK begin mapping? How did OpenStreetMap start?

OpenStreetMap started with just a handful of volunteers who had GPS devices. They went out, collected data on their GPS and made sketches of maps and took notes, and then added the data into the OSM database at home. These initial volunteers hosted “Mapping Parties” in different towns, in which anybody could come out with them one day and go mapping. These parties helped expand the network of volunteers, get more people involved, and create great maps of different towns.

How did they create maps so thoroughly? What technologies did they use?

At the beginning, mappers only had GPS to work with, and any map data that was freely given to the OpenStreetMap community. Later, OSM made a deal with Yahoo! to be able to use their satellite imagery to digitise maps with. More recently, Microsoft and Mapbox have made imagery available to OSM.

Can we use OSM with Google Maps?

It is not legal to use Google Maps as a resource when editing OpenStreetMap. Google has not given permission for this like Microsoft has, and so it is not acceptable to use.

Basic Competency¶

Navigate OpenStreetMap website

Indicators¶

1. Visit OSM website

2. Navigate map on OSM website

3. Save an image from OSM

4. Register an OSM account

5. Editing a map

6. Save edits

Outcomes¶

1. Participants sign up for an OSM account

2. Map images created from OSM website

Core Material¶

Working with OSM

1. OSM website

2. Navigating the OSM map

3. Saving images from OSM

4. Creating an OSM account

5. Editing the OSM map

Activities¶

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)¶

Forgot Password

Sometimes participants forget their password. In this case, you will need to help them to reset or create a new password. If that is not possible they may need to open a new email account. If the participants already have an OpenStreetMap account but forget the password, help them to reset their password.

Do not have email

If participants do not have an email account, help them create a new one.

Basic Competency¶

Operate JOSM

Indicators¶

1. Download JOSM

2. Install JOSM

3. Set JOSM preferences

4. Use basic tools

5. Draw nodes and ways in JOSM

6. Change objects

7. Add tags to objects using presets menu

Outcomes¶

1. JOSM is ready to use for OSM mapping

Core Material¶

Working with JOSM

1. Downloading JOSM

2. Installing JOSM

3. Setting preferences in JOSM

1. Bing imagery

2. Presets

3. Plugins

4. Language settings

4. Drawing maps using JOSM

1. Basic operation

2. Nodes, ways, and shapes

3. Changing objects

4. Adding presets

Activities¶

Common Problems¶

Setting up on Mac and Ubuntu

The steps to install on Mac and Ubuntu are quite easy. JOSM is a software based on Java so it is platform independent, but you have to make sure Java is already installed on your computer system. GPSBabel does not have a GUI for Linux, so it would be harder to use on Linux, especially for newbie users.

JOSM runs out of memory

Sometimes if someone downloads a lot of imagery and data on JOSM, the computer runs out of memory and crashes. The solution is to start JOSM with a batch file that will tell JOSM to add extra memory. An example batch file is provide in this toolkit, but you have to edit it using a text editor to put the correct location of the josm.jar file.

Participants add tags on nodes rather than the ways

Sometimes it is difficult for new OSM users to understand that a way consists of several nodes. Often a tag that is supposed to be put on a way is accidentally put on the nodes that make up that way. This can happen when a user draws a selection box that selects all the nodes on an object. This is an important problem to correct from the beginning, to train good mappers.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)¶

Is there an easy way to restart JOSM after we finish installing plugins?

Yes, there is a plugin that you can add which allow you to restart JOSM by clicking a button. To activate it, install it in the Preferences menu.

Could we make tags in Bahasa Indonesia?

Theoretically, you can add any tag to nodes, ways or shapes on OSM. But because all of the objects on OSM are saved in international databases and cover the whole world, we need a consensus about how to make a tag. As an example, a hospital is still a hospital in England, France and even in Indonesia. If every country gives a tag with their own language it will be difficult and confusing to show the icon or symbol for different locations. Because OSM originated in England and English is a very common language all over the world, the English language is the language which is accepted for tagging in OpenStreetMap. However if you want to alter the presets menu to use your own language it is still possible.

Can we change the colour of nodes and ways and can we change the icons? How can we print?

You can change the colour of the objects in the Preferences menu. This is very useful especially when it is hard to see nodes on ways and shapes against a background. When participants ask about how to change the symbol or show the name of objects, you need to tell them that this program is for editing data and not to see the preview or result and print a map. All of the nodes and tags will be saved in a database, but you can use some other software to render your map to look better. For example, the map on openstreetmap.org is rendered, although there are many more examples. The difference between editing data and rendering on another software might be quite hard to understand by participants in the beginning.

What is the difference between presets and tags?

A tag is a piece of information that you attach to nodes, ways or shapes (polygon) to describe one of the attributes. Presets are a menu that simplifies the task of applying tags to an object.

Basic Competency¶

Use GPS to add data to OSM

Indicators¶

1. Understand GPS and the types of GPS

2. Turn on GPS

3. Set up GPS

4. Understand factors that affect GPS accuracy

5. Understand tracks and waypoints

6. Collect data using GPS

7. Copy GPS data (tracks and waypoints) to computer

8. Open waypoints and tracks in JOSM

9. Upload GPS tracks using JOSM

10. Edit OSM based on GPS data in JOSM

Outcomes¶

1. Collect GPS field data in gpx format

Core Material¶

Using GPS

1. What is GPS

2. Turning on GPS

3. Navigating the GPS

4. Tracks and waypoints

5. Saving location (waypoint)

6. Turning on the Track Log

7. GPS settings

8. How to copy waypoints and tracks to computer

1. Connecting GPS to computer

2. Installing GPS driver

3. GPSBabel program setup

4. GPSBabel installation

5. Copying tracks and waypoints

6. GPS data in JOSM

9. Uploading GPS tracks in JOSM

10. Editing GPS data using JOSM

Activities¶

Common Problems¶

Make sure you have batteries and extra USB cables

GPS devices burn through batteries relatively quickly, so it is a good idea to make sure every group has extra batteries when they go out mapping. Then when they return, they will need to move the data from GPS to the computer. It is best if every group has its own USB cable, which will enable faster copying of data to the computers.

All GPSes should be formatted the same

Before the training, make sure all GPS devices are formatted in the same way, which will prevent participants from getting confused. Many GPS settings can be changed, but when teaching a group it is best if they all look the same.

The key things to make sure of are that:

• Page arrangement is same and in the same order: Main Menu, Track page, Map page, Satellite page

• Coordinates are saved in decimal degrees

• Units are in metres

• Elevation has been calibrated correctly

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)¶

What projection does the GPS use for collected data?

A GPS can be set to record in different projections, but for our needs, the GPS must be set to record coordinates in geographic projection WGS84 (EPSG:4326).

How accurate is the GPS? How can the accuracy affect the data?

Consumer-grade GPS devices (such as the Garmin eTrex line) typically have an accuracy of between three and 15 metres. The Satellite page on the GPS indicates the accuracy when it is in use. For our mapping needs, inaccuracy less than 15 metres can be ignored.

Basic Competency¶

Use Field Papers to add data to OSM

Indicators¶

1. Understand how to use Field Papers

2. Make and print Field Papers

3. Add information to Field Papers

4. Scan and upload Field Papers to fieldpapers.org

5. Open Field Papers in JOSM

Outcomes¶

1. Print Field Papers as PDF for surveying

2. Add field data to Field Papers

Core Material¶

Field Papers

1. What is Field Papers

2. Using Field Papers

3. Making and printing Field Papers

4. Mapping with Field Papers

5. Scanning and uploading

6. Field Papers in JOSM

Activities¶

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)¶

How can we print large size maps, such as a poster for a community mapping project?

One way of doing this is by using QGIS, though the topic is not covered during this session. Basic QGIS training is provided in the next unit of this training, and from there users may be able to learn how to format and print large maps.

How do we scan Field Papers?

You can use a scanner, a mobile (smartphone) or a camera to take photos of Field Papers and then upload them to fieldpapers.org.

What should we do if uploading Field Papers is really slow or does not work at all?

Unfortunately, the Field Papers website is not always 100% working, especially when many people are using it as once. The process of uploading may take longer than your lunch break. If this becomes a problem during training, participants may simply use their Field Papers as handheld notes and you may show them how to use imagery and GPS data as reference layers.

Basic Competency¶

Edit a map and add information to OSM using JOSM

Indicators¶

1. Download OSM data in the area you want to edit

2. Select layers

3. Edit OSM data

4. Edit and understand tags

5. Upload OSM data

6. Save OSM files

Outcomes¶

1. Survey area mapped in OSM

Core Material¶

Editing OpenStreetMap with JOSM

1. Exploring JOSM

2. JOSM layers

3. Editing OSM data

4. Tags

5. Uploading changes

6. Saving OSM files

Activities¶

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)¶

Should we use a point or a polygon to identify a restaurant in a mall?

You should use a point. Polygons are used if you clearly know the shape of a building or area. If you want to identify a landmark inside a larger polygon, such as a building it is better to use a point.

How do we map a bridge in JOSM?

To mark a bridge, you need to split the lines which marks the bridge (usually a way) on both sides of the bridge. If you have a road that crosses a river, you can click on the dots on the side of the river and press ‘P’ on the keyboard to split the line at that point. Then the selected line can be tagged as bridge using the presets menu.

How do we digitise a building to have a perfect rectangle shape?

It is not easy to make a perfect rectangle only using your hand. Luckily there are tools that can make the proper angle at each corner of a polygon. Select the polygon (building) and press Q on the keyboard to shape that polygon.

The map on OpenStreetMap does not show edits immediately. What can we do?

Usually it will take about 5-10 minutes to see your changes appear on the OpenStreetMap website. If you can not see the changes on OpenStreetmap after that time it may be because your browser is still caching the old map. In this case you should reload the page in your browser. If this is not successful you may need to delete the cache in your browser. For example, in Google Chrome go to Tools ‣ Clear Browsing Data. Click Empty the cache and click Clear browsing data. Then refresh the page again and your edits should appear. Sometimes it still can take a while until changes to OpenStreetMap appear on the main page.

Basic Competency¶

Correct imagery offset

Indicators¶

1. Understand the definition of imagery offset

2. Understand components of imagery (resolution and georeference)

3. Explain how imagery offsets occur

4. Fix imagery offset

Outcomes¶

1. Able to correct imagery offset

Core Material¶

Imagery Offset

1. Definition of imagery offset

2. Imagery resolution and georeferencing

3. Imagery offset

4. Fixing imagery offset

Activities¶

Basic Competency¶

Get OSM data in a specific format to be analysed further in Geographic Information System (GIS) software

Indicators¶

1. Download OpenStreetMap data from Geofabrik website

2. Download customised OpenStreetMap data using HOT Exports

Outcomes¶

1. Able to access pre-processed vector files for use in Beginner QGIS training

Core Material¶

Getting OSM Data

1. OpenStreetMap data from Geofabrik Website

2. OpenStreetMap data according to region and selecting attributes with HOT export tool

Activities¶

Common Problems¶

HOT Exports takes a long time to process a job

The HOT Export server uses a first come - first serve strategy. That means the server serves the user who executes the first data request first. The size of the desired area also affects the processing time. The greater the total area the longer the process will take.