OpenStreetMap has updated their satellite imagery covering parts of Arusha and Serengeti. The imagery is delivered by Bing (Microsoft) and allows for tracing of roads and buildings in the mentioned areas. Microsoft has updated much of their imagery covering Tanzania the last year. The additions covered in this article represent important foundations for further developing the OpenStreetMap maps.
Finding data online for Tanzania has proved to be a bit of a challenge. This article provides an overview of publicly available sources. We are sure more exists, so just post comments to this message and we will keep updating the table.
Ideally data should be provided by its owners with appropriate meta data. We have decided to minimize our provisions of data because of this. You will find the sources not to be the original ones, but the files might still be useful.
Your input to this process is desired. Please use the commenting system to point us in the right direction for our effort to make an initial meta database for spatial data in Tanzania.
Several times the last months we have suggested GIS-users start using OpenStreetMap data. But we have failed to say where you can find the actual files. They are of course available for download.
In this article we will give an overview of where you can download shapefiles based on OSM data and also how you can contribute to the project. Continue reading »
OpenStreetMap (OSM) and Google Maps (GMaps) each have their strengths and weaknesses (have a look at GIS.stackexchange.com’s recent discussion on this). Probably the biggest advantage for us is that OSM can be edited quickly, and the road data used directly (download to GPS or for your GIS system directly). Click below to read more.
Tarangire in OpenStreetMap edit mode the 10th of April 2012
This posting is about OpenStreetMap and how Microsoft thorugh Bing Maps contributes to establishing a good open data basemap all over the world. But it is also a modest request for more of the good stuff. The Tanzania coverage from Bing Maps is poor. I am hoping it can become better.
It’s been almost 20 years since I worked as a localizer for Microsoft Worldwide Product Group in Dublin, Ireland translating software and documentation from English to Norwegian. Way back then I took part in translating Windows for Workgroups (Windows 3.11) and Word. Bringing software to the people is hard work. Microsoft and it’s owners have prospered throughout these years making profits and contributing to technological breakthroughs. Supporting OpenStreetMap is one of many ways Microsoft is contributing back to society. Continue reading »
