Frustration

Mapping in the UK is hamstrung. All the data is owned by the Ordnance Survey who will happily licence you their data at an astronomical cost. This excludes all but the most well funded organisations or individuals from using the data.

For the rest of us, well there are a couple of groups whose aim is to collect and collate open source data and then make this data freely available to all who want a copy. While not perfect for those dedicated and hardcore mapping enthusiasts it is certainly adequate for developers dipping their toes into the new world of online mapping.

The openstreetmap project aims to take all of the uploaded GPS tracks and build a UK street map.

Freethepostcode on the other hand is attemting to get people to submit GPS co-ordinates of their postcode.

Both are admirable projects and I wish them all the best for the future.