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[Tool] Compare Google Maps to OpenStreetMap

Just about everyone has heard of Google Maps, and rightly so, it's a great service.

However, Google Maps, being a proprietary service, comes with some restrictions. Proprietary applications and software can often hinder development and innovation due to, for example, licencing fees and exclusivity contracts.

That's where open source comes in, a term constantly gaining in importance and relevance. The beauty of open source is that it suffers far fewer restrictions and is often intended to bolster innovation.

OpenStreetMap, is an open source mapping project very similar to Google Maps. From the project website:

OpenStreetMap is a free editable map of the whole world. It is made by people like you.

OpenStreetMap allows you to view, edit and use geographical data in a collaborative way from anywhere on Earth.

Quite naturally, when several projects and companies offer the same or similar services, one ultimately will have favourites and rankings.

That's where the following tool comes in. Basically, the same map region from Google Maps and OpenStreetMap is loaded, and using a slider you can change the opacity of each to compare maps regions, accuracy and detail.

Sliding to the left shows Google Map, to the right, OpenStreetMap. Clicking on the plus sign at the right, allows you to select which overlays you would like to see.

Give it a go.

[Tienod.com]