Osmap

Osmap is a standard for storing map data in XML tags. Its goal is to be very simple and easy to use, compared to other data storage techniques such as GIS or OGC. The standard defines the tags and attributes of many elements, which fall into three categories: shape, line, and object. A key point to osmap is the ability to contain extra data, such as names of businesses, images, and short descriptions. Nearly every possible feature is attempted to be covered in the standard, so that any implementation does not need to create proprietary additions. For example, osmap has a long list of possible building types, and it is recommended that people use the exact spelling and spacing of the building type, such as school, postoffice, gas, etc. The idea is that any osmap data will work with any osmap software, without any catches. Types of data that don't need to be seen could be disabled, as in layers. An example would be a Fireman needing to see all the fire hydrants on his map, but others would choose not to see them.

The standard is currently on version 0.2, and is open source. Ideas to improve the standard are very welcome and can be submitted on osmap's Source Forge project page.

Features

The standard has some practices that help it be more efficient and useful.

• The osmap standard is open source. Anyone can suggest new ideas or changes to make it better.
• It uses meters as the default measuring scale. With all data created in the same scale, it should be easier to convert if necessary.
• Each map is one full grid square, such as 30N x 46E, which is defined in the parent tags of each element file. Each coordinate thereafter doesn't need to use the grid square since it is already defined. It would be 123456, instead of 30.123456N. This saves space and helps maps be more manageable.
• The standard has a preset folder and naming structure for each map. The standard also supports compression, such as 7z or zip.

Uses

Osmap strives to be feature rich and simple at the same time. Because each coordinate is created with current GPS technologies in mind, that of 6 decimal accuracy (plus intentional errors), it may never be suitable for professional surveyors and such. But it could be used nearly everywhere else, such as in web based maps, desktop trip planning software, printed hard copies, and car navigation.

Examples

Here are a few example tags to show how simple osmap is. To learn more, read the osmap standard.

Lets create a road:

<road type="highway" name="Sunset" street="boulevard">list of coordinates goes here, connect the dot effect.</road>

Lets create a building:

<building type="gas" name="Sheets MTO" dim="30x25" desc="This gas station offers 12 pumps and a menu of food.">123456</building>

External links

• Osmap Website - View the complete standard and a full description to osmap.
• Source Forge project page - Download the latest version or discuss on the forum.