Facilitated by Dan Phiffer, Read/write Offline Mapping speculates open source mapping practices that don’t require cloud-based services. How can we collect and communicate geographic information without a constant connection to proprietary data centers? How can we navigate the complicated relationship between corporate interests, online maps as utility, and open source projects?
In this two-day workshop, participants will be introduced to the existing tools and methods of creating and maintaining open data for open mapping, including POSM (Portable OpenStreetMap) and Who’s On First, and will be engaged in developing their own independent maps.
Maps have become a critical facet of how we interface with the landcape around us. Key to our capabilities to navigate and understand the world are these questions:
- What gets mapped?
- How are maps created?
- Who is able to create and design maps?
Open data and open source software can provide an accessible entry point for self-determined cartography. We will consider both the how and the why of open mapping and create new tangible artifacts. Participants are encouraged to bring a laptop computer if they have access to one.