News for hackers. Stuff that matters.
Re:DigitalGlobe satellite imagery launch for OpenStreetMap by Ajedi32 on Tuesday May 09, 2017 @04:12PM (#14303427)
I wonder if, now that the costs of satellite launches are starting to come down and camera-equipped drones are commonplace, it might be feasible in the near future to start building up a truly open collection of satellite and aerial imagery for use in projects like OpenStreetMap.
Re:DigitalGlobe satellite imagery launch for OpenStreetMap by mschuster91 on Tuesday May 09, 2017 @06:07PM (#14304230)
> and camera-equipped drones are commonplace

In Germany, flying drones over occupied areas is expressly forbidden by law to protect the occupants' privacy.

There are already too many idiots and creeps flying around with drones, we don't need to add Internet publication to the mix.

Re:DigitalGlobe satellite imagery launch for OpenStreetMap by vurpo on Wednesday May 10, 2017 @02:00AM (#14306201)
How high up does the drone need to fly before taking pictures and publishing them is acceptable? I mean that's basically what these mapping satellites are: very high-flying drones taking pictures of the ground to be published online.
Re:DigitalGlobe satellite imagery launch for OpenStreetMap by londons_explore on Wednesday May 10, 2017 @07:25AM (#14307369)
Person taking a photo out of an airplane: Allowed.

Person remote controlling a camera on an airplane: Not allowed.

We shouldn't be making laws saying a human can do something but a machine cannot. That leads to humans having pointless jobs simply because laws prevent the use of automation.

Re:DigitalGlobe satellite imagery launch for OpenStreetMap by londons_explore on Wednesday May 10, 2017 @07:26AM (#14307373)
They get round these laws by sending pilots up in cheap hobby planes like cesnas with cameras attached to the bottom.
Re:DigitalGlobe satellite imagery launch for OpenStreetMap by FTA on Tuesday May 09, 2017 @07:38PM (#14304800)
That's already being attempted with http://openaerialmap.org/.
Re:DigitalGlobe satellite imagery launch for OpenStreetMap by pedalpete on Tuesday May 09, 2017 @06:28PM (#14304364)
I don't know if you will get 'open collection', but I suspect the cost will come down and quality will go up.