theCrag/website — Issue #365: Alternative to GoogleMaps
Author: MelwinQ
Created: 2011-10-28 19:52:54+00:00
State: open

You probably have heard that Google starts to charge for the use of the map API (http://googlegeodevelopers.blogspot.com/2011/10/introduction-of-usage-limits-to-maps.html). I don't know if this is an issue for you or if thecrag can remain below the limits that still are free. If not and you are looking for an alternative, I'd like to point your attention to openstreetmap.org . Here's a short summary for your information.
pros:
- free as speech, not only as in beer - no legal restrictions when including maps
- map coverage of trails, paths, isohypses and other relevant landmarks in the backcountry is usually way better than in GM
- different map layouts can be chosen (even customized, if necessary)
- users can improve unmapped areas, if they want to
cons:
- no easy switching between satellite imagery and maps (yet)
- API probably not (yet) as advanced as Google's