OpenStreetMap editing now faster, smarter and smoother

The OpenStreetMap (OSM) Project has announced map editing is now "faster, smarter and smoother" with the release of version 2.0 of Potlatch, the Flash-based OpenStreetMap editor. Founded in August of 2004 by Steve Coast, OpenStreetMap is an open source project that is building free online maps which are not based on any copyright or licensed map data.

According to the developers, Potlatch 2 is a complete re-write of the original Potlatch. It features improved tagging with customisable presets, WYSIWYG rendering and Vector Background Layers. Other changes include updates to make the undo/redo system more flexible, as well as support for the OAuth (Open Authorisation) open standard for authorisation, allowing developers to deploy Potlatch on other web sites.

Version 2 is a complete rewrite of the original Potlatch.
Source: OpenStreetMap.org Registered users can use Potlatch 2 by visiting the project's homepage and clicking 'Edit'. The developers note that keyboard shortcuts and other aspects of general editing have largely stayed the same, adding that updated documentation and new video tutorials are in the works. Further information about version 2 of Potlatch can be found in a post on the OpenGeoData blog by Richard Weait and on the OpenStreetMap Wiki.

The OpenStreetMap Project is run by the non-profit OpenStreetMap Foundation and currently has more than 380,000 registered contributors. Those interested in helping OpenStreetMap can create a new account to start contributing – more details can be found in the OpenStreetMap Beginners' guide. OSM maps are released under the Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike 2.0 license.

See also:

• OpenStreetMap State of the Map Europe 2011: registration opens, a report from The H.
• MapQuest to provide a US OpenStreetMap service, a report from The H.
• OpenStreetMap founder joins Microsoft's Bing Maps team, a report from The H.

(crve)