Ubiquitous Web 2.0 mobile technology is allowing for additions, updates and corrections to GIS data layers to be Crowd Sourced. Should we believe data provided by "the crowd in the cloud?"


My answer today is - Maybe-yes and Maybe-no. What if 1 person sends me a correction, or what if 100 people send me the same correction?


GIS data/service providers like OpenStreetMap, Google, Microsoft, Tele Atlas, Garmin and others are building tools for their crowds [customers] to help them improve their products and services. At IGIC are also looking at crowd sourcing opportunities to help us maintain and improve the IndianaMap. Harnessing the power of a benevolent crowd may be the answer to help keep the cost of GIS data layer creation and maintenance under control.

Here is a link to a recent story in the New York times about current trends - http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/17/technology/internet/17maps.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss&src=ig