StreetComplete makes contributing to OpenStreetMap easy and fun by turning contributions into “quests” on a map for you to complete. No personal information is required, just create an OpenStreetMap account, and start contributing directly in your area!
I tried this out myself, and it is truly fantastic! I had never heard of it, and I’m sure many of you haven’t either, so spread the word!
Tip: When entering buildings to ask questions (opening hours, etc.) be ready to explain what OpenStreetMap is :)
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!
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Google Mapssaid to me (which tbf can be outdated) so I get updated!I like it, especially in my city and region where I haven’t heard of major OSM users or editors…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!
IT’S AMAZING! HOLY…
My exact reaction to trying it! I wish I had known about this so much sooner.
When I get asked why, I just say I’m just confirming what
Google Mapssaid to me (which tbf can be outdated) so I get updated!I’ve gotten so used to lying or social engineering to maintain my privacy, that it felt weird to be honest about actually contributing to a map and telling people what it is.
Thank you so much for recommending this!
You’re welcome! But thank the StreetComplete team for making such a wonderful way to contribute to OSM
I would like to recommend SCEE if you’ve been using StreetComplete for a while. It offers some advanced features like editing tags, but more importantly some needed QOL improvements like the overlay quick-selector, and GPX notes.
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.
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!
Why does StreetComplete have non-free dependancies but OpenStreetMap is completely free/libre? I’m not going to install StreetComplete because of that.
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.
