These images are part of an animation showing edits to the OpenStreetMap.org
project during 2008. OpenStreetMap is a wiki-style map of the world and this
animation displays a white flash each time a way is entered or updated. Some
edits are a result of a physical local survey by a contributor with a GPS
unit and taking notes, other edits are done remotely using aerial
photography or out-of-copyright maps, and some are bulk imports of official
data.OpenStreetMap started in 2004 and the rate of contributions is
accelerating with four times as many people contributing to the project in
2008 compared to 2007. During the year, edits were made by some 20,000
individuals and there were bulk imports of data for many places, including
the USA, India, Italy and Belarus which are clearly visible in the
animation.
The first image shows the recent bulk import of data from
Belarus and plenty of work going on in Spain, Finland and England in July
2008. Notice also the burst of activity Ireland during the State of the Map
conference which took place in Limerick in July. Germany is, as always,
glowing brightly. The second image shows major contributors (represented by
different colors) to OpenStreetMap in the bay area of California.
This
animation was produced by ITO.
Various still images are available on flickr.
