Why can't there be basic location validation on submission?
QuiteConfused-ING
Posts: 51 ✭✭
This is my most-wanted item. I live in an area with several military bases in a 100 mile radius, and I'd say about 10% of my nominations are on base. I always feel like a curmudgeon rejecting things that would be valid elsewhere, but nominations on base aren't eligible, per criteria. I so wish that there were a basic OSM check on submission and military bases or things clearly marked as a school were just screened out instead of entering the review queue.
Comments
OSM abuse exists and this could be falsified to either sneak stuff in or block areas from being allowed submissions.
A better front from Niantic on education for both submitters and reviewers would help, as well as actually standing up to their decision to not allow those Wayspots by retroactively removing ones falsely accepted.
While I think you’re correct in your major points, Niantic doesn’t simply use live OSM data. At least in GO, they work off of an old snapshot and only update rarely and without notice. Things like bases and schools don’t pop-up or disappear all the time, and it seems for the most part the mapping community does a good job of keeping things real. We can all wish for integrated tools and checks to streamline and improve the Wayfarer system.
that makes it even worse because any mistakes will not be corrected until the next time they update their snapshot.
Yea I think @Eneeoh-PGO is right about the snapshots and who knows how "live" Niantic would use the data for Wayfarer, but that definitely doesn't help my concerns. I have a friend working out of a former university (closed and converted into office buildings) and the OSM was flagged as an elementary school for some reason. I don't know if her spawns ever got "fixed."
I'm never a fan of automated restrictions, especially with how Niantic typically handles support.
I think the problem is that there is no worldwide source of truth for things like this. There are some places where the data are better than others but there's no authoritative source for knowing what's a school, military base, etc. Probably the cost of getting this wrong is higher than the cost of not doing it.
A lot of this could be solved just by adding some questions to the submission process. "Is this a K-12 school?" "Is this on a military base?" Sure, some people would lie but the ones who are just ignorant would probably be saved from submitting something non-qualifying.
Flat out saying no just because the military owns the land is harsh. In my area we approve playgrounds and recreation locations like hiking trails and sports field on the various bases. If Niantic didn't allow submission just because the DOD owns the land the families that live on base would be missing out on the games we all enjoy.
They don't allow it, thats the point
You disagree trolls can disagree all you want but it's facts until Niantic says otherwise.
@Roli112-PGO Quite right-- Niantic changed the rules and they are no longer allowed.
They haven't removed existing ones on bases but I expect that they probably will at some point.
I agree with you in principle, but that's a rule we are supposed to be following, like no K-12 schools or childcare facilities. Do I think it sucks for the people on base? Totally! Though as someone who was in a relationship with an active duty Navy guy for many years, I also know that they don't want people trying to get on base or wandering around the perimeter trying to pick up a rare mon or reach a raid. But Niantic has said they're invalid and should be noped, so that's what I do. But I feel like a ****. Hence my wish that Niantic would validate stuff on giant-**** swaths of land that aren't allowed. I get that schools come and go, but decommissioning a military base (hello, Fort Ord) happens rarely.