11

Somebody (presumably from the USA) complained about "Open Street Maps just not being as updated as Google."
That got me thinking. I'm from Europe.

First of all I haven't had a Google account or regularly used any of their products for over a decade. So I need to ask.

And by Openstreetmap (OSM) I mean the maps themselves that are used by many apps, routing services, and even secondary map providers.

OSM is community-driven. It requires people to actively participate, or at least deliberately install apps that do that I guess, to create maps and keep them up-to-date.

Google Maps is an app. Where do the maps come from? The data they get automatically (from their users; one might claim it's community driven too, lol) and those cars with those weird cameras on top and probably something else. Maybe they even take from OSM.

OSM probably won't ever be able to "see" traffic jams, but apart from that it works very well, gives me a satisfying mapping and navigation experience by car, bike or foot.

And many big professional/official sites rely on OSM.

So, is that not the case in other places in the world, e.g. the USA? How often do you see these Google cars? I haven't seen one in ages. Let's say once a year.

I hope you get the main drive of my question. It's about how crtain "alternatives" to Big tech work, and are perceived, in different places around the world, although the Europe-USA comparison is bugging me the most.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] A_norny_mousse@piefed.zip 3 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

I must be living in paradise. The only time I can experience a traffic jam is when I go abroad.
I never use routing on routes I've taken before.

Looking up businesses sometimes works, but usually if I’m looking up a business I want to know its hours, and at least in my town Google is basically always right, and everything else is no.

I rarely rely on this; I'm way too used to doing web searches.
But I did rely on it (via OSMAnd) on my last trip abroad (Estonia) and found it to be 100% reliable.

this post was submitted on 15 Sep 2026
11 points (86.7% liked)

Ask Me Anything

3147 readers
1 users here now

Ask Me Anything (AMA) Community Rules and Guidelines

This is the lemmy.ca AmA.

Welcome to the Ask Me Anything (AMA) community! This is a space where individuals from various backgrounds come together to engage in open and informative discussions. To ensure a respectful, enjoyable, and inclusive experience for everyone involved, we have established the following rules and guidelines:

  1. Be Civil and Respectful:

    • Treat all participants with respect, regardless of their background, expertise, or opinions. Personal attacks, insults, or derogatory language will not be tolerated.
    • Engage in constructive conversations, even if you disagree with the person answering the questions. Focus on addressing their responses or providing alternative viewpoints without resorting to hostility.
    • Remember that the participants are sharing their knowledge and experiences voluntarily. Appreciate their time and effort.
  2. Practice Politeness and Courtesy:

    • Use polite and considerate language when asking questions or engaging in discussions.
    • Be patient and understanding if the person answering takes time to respond. They may receive a high volume of questions.
    • Avoid spamming or repeating the same question multiple times. Give others a chance to ask their questions as well.

-Use NSFW and trigger warning TW in brackets if you talk about sensitive subject.

  1. Respect Boundaries and Privacy:

    • Do not ask personal or invasive questions unless the participant explicitly invites such queries.
    • If a participant declines to answer a question or requests to move on from a topic, respect their boundaries without pressuring them for a response.
    • Avoid sharing personal information or disclosing sensitive details about yourself or others.
  2. Be Inclusive and Stand Against Discrimination:

    • Respect diverse perspectives and backgrounds. Discrimination, including racism, homophobia, and transphobia, will not be tolerated.
    • Foster an environment that welcomes individuals of all races, genders, sexual orientations, religions, and identities.
    • Be mindful of your language and the potential impact it may have on others. Avoid offensive slurs or derogatory terms.
  3. Avoid Spam and Irrelevant Questions:

    • Ensure your questions are relevant to the participant's expertise or field of knowledge.
    • Avoid posting low-quality or repetitive questions that add little value to the discussion.
    • Respect the purpose of the AMA and avoid using it solely for self-promotion or advertising.
  4. Engage in Meaningful Discussions:

    • Prioritize thought-provoking and insightful questions that foster engaging conversations.
    • Be open to different perspectives and use the AMA as an opportunity to learn and broaden your understanding.
    • Jokes are allowed as long as they are respectful, appropriate, and do not target or marginalize specific individuals or groups. -If you are sarcastic, we recommend to use /s to be sure there is no confusion about your intention. Fake sarcasm will be found.

Remember, these rules and guidelines are in place to ensure a positive and informative environment for all participants. Failure to comply may result in 3 strikes warnings, temporary restrictions, or permanent bans at the discretion of the moderators.

in the future, a mod check and balance system might be implemented . Subject to change : [You might appeal your ban by contacting a special appointed moderator to judge if the ban was abusive.

Special appointed mod can create jury like conversation with randomly chosen users with jury votes to decide if bans are legit or not.]

Thank you for being a part of the Ask Me Anything (AMA) community. Let's engage in enlightening discussions, share knowledge, and create an inclusive space that values respect and diversity!

Friendly communities :

founded 3 years ago
MODERATORS