Ordnance Survey and Googlemaps in the Spotlight

There is something of a shake-up going on in the world of mapping. Recent developments could help people like us who want to use existing maps to record our walking routes on the internet.

First the Guardian's Technology supplement started their “Free our Data” campaign seeking free access to data collected using taxpayers’ money by government-funded and approved agencies such as Ordnance Survey (OS). Then it was reported that the Government’s determination to protect OS’s ability to profit from users could scupper a Europe-wide initiative to harmonise access to Geographical data.

Now, not only has there been a legal case undermining OS’s claims to copyright in certain scenarios but also a certain Ed Parsons has just joined Googlemaps as their “Geospatial Technologist” from a similar role at OS. With Googlemaps already taking a more flexible approach to sharing mapping data than OS’s position, this can only be good news for those wanting to use maps more freely.

So let’s all watch this space…

Today's pub walk: The Haunch of Venison in Salisbury, Wiltshire

The Pub Walker
MyFavouritePubWalks.com
Free 2-monthly newsletter (NO spamming)

Posted: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, 2007

Tranquility Maps

At a car boot sale on Sunday I came across a stall being run by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE). The lady behind the table was enthusiastically proclaiming that they were about much more than protecting rural areas and this prompted me to check out their website.

Here I discovered their fascinating collection of "tranquility maps" which show the "likelihood that someone will experience tranquility in any locality". A nationwide survey to find what tranquility actually meant to people produced a top 10 list of what it is (e.g. seeing natural landscape and the stars at night, hearing natural sounds and running water) and also a top 10 list of what it most definitely is not (e.g. seeing urban development and light pollution, hearing constant noise of traffic and people).

I think it's facinating to take a look at these, starting with the national level map and then drilling down to county level ones. In some respects their results are not surprising but are graphically showing something that has never been presented this way on this scale before. CPRE wil use this to help protect tranquility and measure threats to it in the future. Something we would all support I am sure.

The Pub Walker
MyFavouritePubWalks.com
Free 2-monthly newsletter (NO spamming)