On visiting the OpenStreetMap web page, one will see a rendered map displayed, however the data generated is considered to be the project's raison d'etre. This data is open and can be used in many map making applications. OSM data does not include height, but this data is available from other sources such as NASA's Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM).
While for some areas better maps (though with use restrictions) may exist at the moment, for other areas OSM is the primary, or even only, data source.
Anyone who uses mapometer, MapMyRun and some similar applications will have noticed that an Open SM, OSM (or whatever the main application provider chooses to call it) layer is now provided. For the first time it is possible to see footpaths and extended geographical features on free mapping/social networking sites. For those of us who do some or all of our running off road, this is a major breakthrough.
The rendered data
The standard render provided on the OSM web site is not the most useful for outdoor types (especially due to the lack of contours), other data renders are available including some with contours. The most accessible of these on the main OSM site is OpenCycleMap which is available as a layer. OpenCycleMap is updated regularly so new additions to OSM data will usually appear in about a week. The most useful map, using the OSM data set, that I have found is OpenTopoMap.
OSM data is available for you to render in any way. Combined with other data (such as elevation), it is possible to create useful custom maps. The advantage of rendered data over an image of a map is that detail may be excluded or included according to zoom level (scale) for clarity.
As mentioned above, routing applications using OSM data are available. Some map and routing apps, such as OsmAnd will also display an OpenTopo layer.
Why isn't xyz on it?
If a path or feature isn't on the map, it is because no one has mapped it yet. This is your chance to add to the map data. Some areas are much more complete than others, this is often down to an individual or group on a mission. Check out "Madeley, Staffordshire" for example. My own contribution pales against this kind of dedication.
If you are familiar with OSM but haven't looked in a year or so, have another look, you will be surprised at how the map has grown.
Ground features and lack of them
While roads were an early priority, much of the UK is pretty well covered now. Footpath coverage is improving and many people are adding details like stiles, gates and steps. Noteworthy mostly by their absence are features such as field boundaries (including walls, hedges and fences) and even buildings in many areas. This is a great shame as they are such useful features when navigating. In many ways these features are the easiest to add as local knowledge with or without aerial imagery is all that is needed. Aerial image layers are provided in editors, but are not always up to date so local knowledge is a must.
Contributing
It is easy to become a contributor, visit the OSM site and sign up. On line editors are provided, but it is easier to edit using a desktop application such as 'JOSM' if you really mean business. There is plenty of help available from the OSM Help and Documentation links. New data generally starts to appears within minutes rather than days as in the past.
I used to collect my path data using nothing more than a bottom of the range car Garmin. The batteries will last for around 4 hours when fully charged. I just switch on, set tracking to on, brightness as low as it will go, display map, then drop it in my pack. Don't forget to set preferences to 'off road navigation' or you might get a lot of nagging. I now tend to use my Mio Cyclo bike GPS, as the battery life is near 10 hours. Many people will use their phone. You can usually upload GPS tracks into an editor directly, ready for tracing.
Why contribute to OSM rather than another map? See below.
OSM is not just free it's open
A free map may be free to view, but that does not mean that the source data is open. Some projects rely on community sourced data and yet reserve all rights on the data so collected. You may not have the right to use your own data. See for example: this comparison.
Every little helps
My own contribution has been fairly meagre compared with the work of some others, even so I have probably added a few hundred miles of footpath. Most people who register never contribute, many of the rest contribute nothing after an initial go. If you can add the odd hedge every now and again you will be making a BIG difference.
I will not forget the day when I opened 'mapometer' and found that an OSM layer had been added. It was so good to map a run over clearly represented footpaths and special to know that I had added many of them to the map and that this information was free to all.
If I end up on the right path, because I am on the right side of the dry stone wall that you mapped, we can both congratulate ourselves.
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