Hacker News .hnnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

Google does NOT provide the maps data in Romania. Those maps are created by the public, unpaid volunteers, under onerous Terms and Conditions.

They should direct their efforts to Open Maps instead...



I like GMaps because it gets me from point A to B, where B is usually vaguely defined. So it solves an important problem for me, which is why I like it, in spite of shortcomings such as being a closed proprietary product.

I also do not think that the maps data in GMaps is created by "public, unpaid volunteers". This statement badly needs a reference.

I once tried submitting the details of a business in GMaps and the process was so awful that I gave up. But while I do agree that volunteers would better spend their time with OpenStreetMap or similar, it is really none of your business how people choose to spend their time.


Please note I was talking about GMaps data for Romania, not in general.

Do a search on Google Map Maker if you need a reference.

People volunteer their time wherever they want, but OpenStreetMaps data stays open, while Google's becomes proprietary, for profit, the moment you put it in.


That said, as I user, I benefit directly from correcting the data in GMaps, while since I don't heavily use OSM on mobile, it is a nice gesture from me but isn't giving me much if I change OSM.




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: