Any tips on how to learn to use JOSM? I feel that I should take the leap from iD, but the learning curve is scary
this post was submitted on 20 Jun 2025
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Openstreetmap
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Overview:
Discussion on the Openstreetmap service that has the most open map data that began in 2004.
Apps:
JOSM: Map editor
Organic Maps: Offline maps that's great for walking/hiking/cycling
Magic Earth: Great for driving
Related:
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JOSM is very powerful and responsive to use though it takes time to learn. I have used these resources to figure it out the tool.
Thank you! These'll find some use
@mapu @Sunshine I think the best way to learn JOSM is just to start using it, and work out how to do things as you need to. I still kick myself every now and again when I discover some new feature I didn't know about. Do check out the different modes at https://josm.openstreetmap.de/wiki/Help/Menu/Mode though. In particular, 'W' mode is awesome for correcting/improving the geometry of ways.
Brb adding some more local info to the map, free for everyone on earth to use as they see fit!
Thank you for your contributions 🍻
I use it, but it's screwed me so many times on construction shit. Like it or not, Gmaps live info is lightyears better.
Google and Apple have an effective duopoly on traffic info.
Magic Earth uses osm data and has traffic info.
Well, now. I might give it a shot. OsmAnd~ has been my favorite iteration to date.
How good is the turn by turn?
I’m not so sure as I haven’t used it much.
Gmaps traffic can be activated as an overlay in OSMAnd. Super simple.
Well, okay. Color me ignorant! Looking at that now.
My personal experience is that I feel that as an overlay in OSMAnd it is not as up to date in realtime terms as the traffic layer in gmaps. I might be wrong though, I don't use it as much.
Me when I go to an area on holiday, and there is lots of fun mapping to do.
Mother in law moved to a small town so I have another mapping project
Me when I notice that Helsinki's public transport app uses OSM and you can just search for connections to a place of interest as if you were using CoMaps.
Also my reaction when I, as a mapper, see a place that hasn't been touched in the US aside from the original TIGER import.
The hallways and stairs in my school are mapped. Heck, a demolished building was updated in OSM faster than the map on the school's website
Alright question time: how do I find out the info on a GPX track? I can see it in the map view, and I can see it in JOSM. I just can't get any info about it, even though it's a public trace and is no doubt on the publice trace OSM website