Tonight is the first part of AzGeocaching and The Phoenix Linux Users Group (PLUG) teaming up to do an OpenStreetMap training and Mapping party. Why is this important to you, you might ask. OpenStreetMap is a project to create completely free maps of the entire world. This means that you can load openstreetmap maps into your GPS without having to purchase expensive maps CDs. You can also generate your own maps, with your own custom data overlays, for use on your website, or any other purpose you can think of. They also have the potential to be a lot more accurate, since they can be updated at any time, by the public. The OpenStreetMap parties, in which I hope to have a lot more after this, is where you get a bunch of people together and collectively attach a area and map any missing, or incorrect, details. The Roads themselves are already mostly accurate, so the missing stuff is the minutia, names of businesses, some trails, smaller details that aren't included in a lot of other maps usually like ponds in parks. I don't think they would mind if someone wanted to map out all the alleys for trash pickup in town, or the shape of the parking lots in all the shopping centers. :) This all starts out at PLUG's East side meeting which is held on the second Thursday of every month, the 14th of this month, with an introduction to OpenStreetMap given by a OpenStreetMap representivive Hurrican McEwen, on what is OpenSteetMap and how to use it. Then on the 16th and 17th, there will be mapping parties using Boulders On Broadway as a base camp.Ope For more details see: http://azgeocaching.com/index.php/the-news/93-mapping-party.html Hope to see you there tonight Brian Cluff AzGeocaching.com ____________________________________________________________ Az-Geocaching mailing list listserv@azgeocaching.com To edit your setting, subscribe or unsubscribe visit: http://listserv.azgeocaching.com/mailman/listinfo/az-geocaching Arizona's Geocaching Resource http://www.azgeocaching.com