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Joining Ed this week is co-founder and CEO of Radar, Nick Patrick. Radar is a New York based company that aims to be the go to all-in-one location infrastructure provider. Over the past years they have worked with many consumer brands to create innovative geospatial experiences, and the company is now working on the next generation of foreground/product-centric geofencing use cases, like "in-store mode" for retailers or order ahead arrival detection for restaurants. A lot has changed over the past 15 years, while privacy and permissions have become more difficult to obtain, location accuracy has vastly improved. Radar is at the forefront of working with consumer brands to bring modern geospatial interactions to life. Tune in to hear Ed and Nick chat about the challenges of working with geocoding, the development of open source maps, and geofences. Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

This week Steven chats with two member of the team responsible for FOSS4G 2023, which will be held in Prizren, Kosovo from June 26th to July 2nd. Steven shares his own FOSS4G experience with Besfort Guri and Gresa Neziri ahead of their first ever FOSS4G in Kosovo. The hosts hope to spotlight Kosovo and bring attention to their local geospatial organisations, but they have also assembled an international team to ensure there is a wide range of topics and experts in attendance. The three chat about the logistics of organising this event, and share which speakers they are looking forward to the most. The conference will only be available in person this year, but there is still time to register to join. Tune in to find out how to get involved. Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.  

This week Ed chats with Peter Rushforth from the Maps for HTML project. This is an open source project with accessibility at the centre of their work. With their "lead by example" approach, the community has defined a vocabulary to make maps native elements of the web. Peter is convinced that specifying and implementing accessible maps on the web remains not only possible, but also of huge potential benefit to society. Tune in to find out where the project is now, how to get involved, and what drives Peter to continue with the project despite the difficulty of the undertaking. Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Do you know the difference between GNSS and GPS? This week Ed chats with Xavier Banqué Casanovas from Rokubun. Xavier is a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) expert and the perfect person to explain the importance of precise geolocation. Learn how GNSS has evolved, how it can be used for mass market applications and how accurate it actually is in this weeks episode. For those familiar with GNSS, you’ll want to tune in to hear about the hottest research topic in the GNSS area and what solutions are on the rise for those pesky GNSS/GPS jammers and spoofers.  Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Joining Ed for a chat this week is the CEO and founder of Hivemapper, Ariel Seidman. A relatively new player to the crowdsourced map community, Hivemapper is mapping the world using custom dashcams built with mapping in mind. In contrast to models like Waze, Hivemapper believes every contributor should be rewarded for their contribution. Drivers earn cryptocurrency (HONEY tokens) as they drive and contribute to the map. Hivemapper has mapped over two million kilometers in the United States and Europe. Listen in to learn how this new tech is pushing a new paradigm in mapping, and how you can get involved. Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Ed had the pleasure of attending the first Geomob Finand in Helsinki (see the summary thread), and was then off to London to join Steven for the biggest Geomob London ever (summary thread). They recap both events, ponder the skyrocketing price of beer in UK (which means we really could do with some more sponsors), muse briefly on whether London has lost its international technical mojo, and then give brief updates on their projects. Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

What does it take to make a detailed illustrated map of Melbourne? A lot. On this episode Steven speaks with the self-proclaimed ‘accidental map maker’ Melinda Clarke. This large scale map project began 30 years ago when Melinda was travelling and collecting illustrated maps. When she couldn’t find one for her own town, Melbourne, she decided to make it. Listen in as she explains the journey that includes hitchhiking on helicopters, last minute hot air ballon flights, and years of ‘ink on paper’ drawing. Melinda's love affair with her hometown continues 30 years on with a new Melbourne map available in traditional or jigsaw form. Tune in to hear about the process of this amazing map/art project and what Melinda is working on next. Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Joining Ed this week is cartographic technologist and the man behind Protomaps, Brandon Liu. Protomaps is a set of tools for creating and deploying maps, or as Brandon describes it: an open source Google maps. Tune in to learn how Protomaps attempts to simplify map making for some of the more underserved groups including journalists and non-profit organisations. Ed and Brandon discuss the cost and complexity of using OpenStreetMap for your business, and clear up some misunderstandings and misconceptions about mapping with open data. Is a simpler and radically cheaper service really possible? Listen in to find out! Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

In this episode Steven and Ed examine challenge of commercializing geo. They discuss the evolution of Citymapper and Mapbox, and muse about how much money you need burn to create a unicorn. Is it possible in the age of open data and open source, even with a mountain of VC money? And how much can/should companies give back to the open community before jeopardising their own position? Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Are you still using Twitter? This week the focus is on Mapstodon, the cartography and geospatial server on Mastodon. Steven chats with spatial data scientist and geographer: Jérémy Garniaux. Jérémy is the man behind Mapstodon, the server created a few months ago when Twitter uncertainty drove all the self-proclaimed geeks to Mastodon. Jérémy and Steven discuss the differences between Twitter and Mastodon and reminisce about Twitter's early "non-toxic" days. Tune in to find out how to join Mapstodon, and how you can contribute to keep it running. Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.    

Gearing up for the first Geomob Finland on April 13th, this week Ed chats with one of the organisers: Antti Jakobson. Antti has been working with the National Land Survey of Finland for over 30 years. This year he is also leading a new Location Innovation Hub as part of the European Digital Innovation Hub network. Antti fills us in on what you can expect from a Finnish crowd and how it may differ from previous Geomob events. Ed will be speaking alongside speakers from Zero Gravity, ICEYE, Collective Crunch, and CGI. Tune in to find out why Antti decided to partner with Geomob and learn about the geospatial community in Finland. Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

This week the focus is on the aftermath of the recent earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. Joining Ed for an important chat is Nama Budhathoki, Regional Director of the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Teams (HOT) Open Mapping Hub - Asia Pacific. Nama explains what type of help mapping can offer and how mappers across the world can help those struggling in Turkey and Syria today. Learn what it takes for HOT to step in, the importance of a thriving local community, and what steps HOT has made one month in. Thinking of doing something to help? Nama explains what is needed now and how to you can get involved. Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Ed and Steven catch up following the first Geomob Berlin. Listen in as Ed recalls the most interesting parts of GeomobBER and announces dates for the upcoming Helsinki, London, and Tel Aviv events. Then the discussion turns to what’s new with OpenCage and Mappery. There is new pricing at OpenCage, and an important reminder for anyone using OpenCage: they cannot, never have, and never will provide mobile phone location tracking. Tune in to find out how Ed’s Mastodon post about his strange ordeal went viral. Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

This week Steven chats with Edoardo Neerhut about his work with Mapillary for internet giant Meta. Edoardo started off as an intern at Mapillary and is now the Program Manager, XR Insight: Maps - Reality Labs. Listen in as these two discuss the differences between OSGeo and OpenStreetMap communities, Edoardo’s work with OSGeo Oceania, and the perception of big corporations in the community. Tune in to learn about his "ideology free" approach to problem solving and why listening to the community is so important in open. Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

This week we’re going back to the early days of OpenStreetMap for a moment this week as Ed chats with Mikel Maron - his oldest OSM colleague. Mikel introduced Ed to OSM back in 2006 and has since gone on to many OSM accomplishments. He is currently the longest serving OpenStreetMap Foundation board member. Ed and Mikel reminisce about their journey with OSM, discuss the current state of OSM, and how passion affects progress. Find out what it’s like on the inside of the OSMF board and how things really work. Can communication improve at OSM? How will Overture change the landscape? Listen in to hear as this OSM pioneer weighs in. Plus, find out about Mikel's new job and the role geospatial tech plays in climate and environmental problem solutions, and how you can collaborate. Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

In this week’s episode Ed finds out what the future holds for GeoHipster. Taking over from Mike Dolbow, Randal Hale has become the new CEO of GeoHipster, your source of what’s hip in all things geo. If you haven’t heard about GeoHipster before you’re missing out. Over 10 years of interviews, calendars, and cool maps, later Randal is still consistently updating the exact definition of "hip" but fans will be happy to hear there are no major changes under the new leadership. Listen in to find out how you and your geopatial idea can be featured Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Nick Bearman and Kevin Williams, two of the organisers of the recent FOSS4G:UK 2022, join Steven to reflect on how the event went. For the first time the event was held in a unique hybrid format, with many different venues across the UK. The goal was to capture the benefits of in-person networking and experience, while also reducing the need to travel and, via online streaming, allowing participation from everywhere. Overall the experiment was deemed a great success, with over 300 people attending in-person across the nine venues (many more than previous in-person events), but there are of course lessons learned for future events. Finally, Nick and Kevin share plans for OSGeo:UK in 2023. Thank you to all the organisers of FOSS4G:UK! Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

This week Steven chats with Loraine Rutt and for this one you’ll want to find a screen because her work is very visual. Marrying art and cartography through her pottery and sculpture, Loraine makes beautiful art with a message. Through thematic maps, journey vases, and social geography sculptures she has been able to create art that encourages conversations about climate change, poverty, and earth’s place in the universe. Her work is beautiful and fascinating, especially for map lovers. Loraine explains how her work begun, what inspires her, and talks about what it’s like to get the stamp of approval of her globes from an astronaut! Enjoy the episode, but then be sure you visit Loraine's website to see this amazing body of work Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

With Geomob’s first event of 2023 under their belts, Steven and Ed connect to discuss plans for 2023 and the latest hot topic in the community: Overture Maps. Many questions still unanswered after the announcement earlier this month, including how the members will manage to collaborate and how will Google react? Listen in as Ed and Steven debate and make their predictions about the future of OpenStreetMap. Do you want to join in the discussion? Come to a Geomob event! This year, even more cities will be hosting Geomob, including Berlin, Helsinki, and Lisbon, so there are even more chances to connect with the community! Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

This week Ed chats with one of the most active long-time members of the OpenStreetMap community: Simon Poole. Simon has contributed to OSM in many ways over the years: as a mapper, as developer of one of the most popular editors, as a local organizer of the Swiss OSM community, as a leading member of the Legal working group, and as Chair of the OpenStreetMap Foundation board. He is the perfect person to weigh in on the health of the project, particularly in the context of the latest open mapping news about the start of the Overture Maps Foundation. Ed and Simon discuss the challenges OSM faces and the difficulties of moving forward in a massive global collaborative project. Tune in to hear Simon’s perspective on how to improve communication and push progress along. Spoiler Alert: it starts with taking a step back to truly understand the issues Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.