OS mapping data - have your say

[louisiana]

There's currently a consultation on the future of certain OS mapping data:

"..on the Government's proposal to open up Ordnance Survey's data relating to electoral and local authority boundaries, postcode areas and mid scale mapping information."

Important stuff. No really. This could help many, many small not-for-profit projects working to provide info at the local level. And councils.

Please take a look if you can, and respond if you wish. Closing date is 17 March.

http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/ordnancesurveyconsultation

[tomchance]

If you're looking for high quality, totally free maps & data in the meantime have a look at OpenStreetMap.

Happy to help anyone use it, I mapped a good deal of the area :)

[louisiana]

OpenStreetMap is lovely.

The idea with OS Free would be that anyone would then be free to mash up the OS Free data (including national address and co-ordinate data) with their own data without let or hindrance. At present, as you are no doubt aware, if you try to combine *any* OS data with your data, OS will insist the resulting product belongs to them IP-wise, even though it also contains your (open/free) IP, and even after you've paid their licensing.

The idea is that the public should benefit from what the public has already paid for.

[tomchance]

Quite. I got my response in a couple of weeks back, it will be interesting to see how the elections affect this consultation and other recent moves by the Government to open things up a bit.

[Narnia]

Tomchance, why are you advertising a political party in the 'Lounge'? No one else is allowed to here from what I understand.

[louisiana]

tomchance Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Quite. I got my response in a couple of weeks

> back, it will be interesting to see how the

> elections affect this consultation and other

> recent moves by the Government to open things up a

> bit.

Possibly the only worthwhile initiative that we know to have come from Brown?

However, with Tom Steinberg advising the Tories, and pressure from other quarters, I don't see the issue falling away. It is an idea whose time has come, regardless of who is in power.

[Huguenot]

Am absolutely with Louisiana on this one. I really hope the campaign generates a good profile.

Also agree with Declan that tomchance is naughty naughty on the Green party. Besides the only quality Green party candidate was legaleagle.

[tomchance]

Oops, sorry, it's just in my signature! I'll be sure not to have it switched on for this board ::o

[Siduhe]

Aha - knew I'd seen a thread about this some time in the past. Was directed to this news item yesterday by my better half - looks like postcode and certain map data is now available. A really good development IMHO.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/jun/04/coins-treasury-public-sector-data