WRITTEN ON July 20th, 2005 BY William Heath AND STORED IN Online Maps
Bill Thompson also argues for an open OS interface –
I’d like to see an OS maps API to rival Google, one backed by a guarantee from the government that the service will remain freely available, that the API will be published as an open standard and so not subject to arbitrary change, and that it will be made available to all.
This is unlikely to happen because the OS is what’s called a ‘Trading Fund’, a government-owned company required to cover its own costs, so even though we have paid for the mapping we – the citizens – can’t use the data freely.
But perhaps seeing the innovative work that is already being done with Google Maps will persuade the government that relaxing this requirement would generate major economic benefits. Instead of thinking about making a few thousand pounds here and there from licensing they could add millions to the economy by providing real-time traffic congestion information to commuters on an open platform with an open API.
It’s just a thought.
I don’t see how this is in the gift of the Ordnance Survey. It would require a Damascene conversion from Gordon Brown. But he’s too busy to play around with Google maps and Google earth and have that Aha-Erlebnis.
2 Responses to “Bill Thompson on opening up the world of maps”
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how much homes SOLD for nationwide using the google mapping technology.
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Yes, and the same goes for free access to educational materials.
Since the University “reforms” of the 1980s and 1990s, UK governments have encouraged educational institutions to charge highly for access to information.
Other countries, notably USA, are more generous and publish much free on the Internet.
Result: UK loses overseas friends and influence. Enemies increase; exports decrease.
The money earned by selling education overseas is tiny compared with the resources devoted to defence and security.
More smart people: Less smart bombs.