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Why go open source geo
Building your own maps is complicated but can be rewarding.
Why
- Show only what you want to show. Customize the features shown on the map so your thematic data shines.
- Control the look of your maps, leverage your existing brand identity.
- Host your own tiles, don't pay someone else usage fees.
- Add new cutting edge features.
Data license
- Give your geo data to OpenStreetMap (OSM) so you can reuse it and gain from the edits the community makes.
- Don't give it to Google Map Maker, they will hoard it and charge you for it.
- Brian Timoney on OSM v Google MapMaker - "It’s neocolonialism-meets-neogeography, w/ shiny trinkets laptops + Androids.
Use case
- Proof your map application in any API. Low usage = no fees.
- Your site does moderately well, Google will start charging you if you built on their geo platform. Fees up to $10,000.
- Your site does very well, time to build your own maps. Don't want to pay Google $10,000 to over $100,000 per year.
- Your site does so well you want to outsource the maps. Keep using OSM or pay Google.
Background: From 1 January 2012 Google has been charging for the Google Maps API service when more than the limit of 25,000 map “hits” are made in a day, a situation that many websites such as travel firms and estate agents will easily face.
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Good bye, Google Maps… thanks for all the fish from Sebastian Delmont and his followup post
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Nestoria: Why (and how) we’ve switched away from Google Maps
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OpenStreetMap, TileMill, MapBox, MapQuest and Leaflet route for their map switch.
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Fubra also covers some alternative basemap tiles such as Bing, Ovi and OS OpenSpace. So, if you are interested in what the options are then read these posts.
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The beginning of the end of Free? from Steven Feldman goes into the economics and Adrian points out there is an opposite inflection point where it becomes better financially to outsource your maps.
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How much do you need those Google Maps API features anyway? (chart)
CREDIT: Some text here adapted from a ICA Commission on Neocartography blog post.