[kwlug-disc] Did you read Richard's article in the Toronto Star?

[Insurance Squared Inc.]

Did you read Richard's article in the Toronto Star?

Well, not yet because there isn't one - but there should be.  If there 
ever was an opportunity to promote the benefits of opensource to the 
public, now's the time.  Haiti is all over the news, and Richard, you've 
got a human interest story in openstreetmap.  All the techno nerds 
around the world poring over opensource maps, collectively helping the 
people on the ground in Haiti save lives. 

It screams, no, demands, a press release.  You've got thank you's from 
people on the ground? Stories of people using these practical 
applications, for free? Somehow there has to be a front page story there 
(heck, I'm already more interested than half the nonsense I see on the 
front page most days).

I'd urge you to put something out there.  I'd be happy to help however I 
can (if even only proof reading, or faxing, or finding where to send 
this to), but I'd love to see you put something together to get it out 
there publicly.




Richard Weait wrote:
> I forgot the "punchline"  the "so what" of my earlier email on OSM and
> Haiti relief.
>
> OSM is showing the always updating map with a delay as small as a few minutes.
>
> Other OSM volunteers are publishing new and up to date maps in a
> format that can be printed on large paper maps several times per hour.
>  Maps compatible with handheld GPS devices are published roughly every
> five minutes.  These maps were in use as the first relief teams arrive
> last week.  OSM has received thank yous from several outfits and
> people on the ground in Haiti, which is really awesome considering how
> full their hands must be right now.  Between the OSM tools and
> volunteers and the multi-disciplinary folks at crisis-mapping,
> requests for map updates and features are flying fast and furious.
>
> If you have any OSM experience, you can help.
>
> If you know anybody from Haiti, and can help them to use the OSM
> tools, it would be very helpful to have their experience identifying
> things, so that they can be named on the map.
>
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