Free maps at Wiki World

John,

I have played around with this system a fair bit and loaded and exported data to and from it. Some of the technologies used on this system are being built into ExplorOz. The major problem with this stuff at this stage is lack of data. There is very limited city or outback travelling data as it relies on people uploading and indexing everything - which is great for the Open Source community however ensures that it will never be good enough for serious map production or usage (the upload and index process is labour intensive, as it is with us also however we are taking on the labour intensive processes in house). I can layer this stuff into the places mapping engine if people are interested to see the difference, between Topo 250 (with EO data), Google or other mapping sources such as Virtual Earth.

We are working to be able to supply our topo 250 plus trek note mapping files shortly via direct ouput in ECW format with GPX track and waypoint file support. So if you are keen to try to get the best almost free mapping data then just contribute to PlotSwap (this is where we source the data that is used to create treks and update places information) you will then earn credits to download as much as you like. We are always working on the cost models for this and if everyone contributed it would just get better all the time. We run the system with the credits at this stage to ensure that people who contribute are rewarded and to help us cover costs of importing the data into the routing system.

Unlike OSM we have a base license to use the Topo base maps and extend the data with your provided plots, waypoints and other data files. Coupled with places information you will soon be able to download full trek virtual tours, proximity compliant waypoints with interactive features and a whole heap of other digital and printed format maps.

The OSM project is a great tool and I support them as much as possible however without some level of ownership and control the data cannot be guaranteed accurate or even valid. I really wanted to use it as a base layer in places however there is just not enough valid base data for Australia.

David

Thanks David,

Yes, accuracy is one concern.

Lack of information another.

Appreciate your comments on building your own data base.
Have uploaded the occasional plot.

Hopefully will have more for you later in the year.
Too much time in the office and not enough on the road :o)

regards

John C