How much do users contributions translate into in dollar terms ? — In our last two blogs, “The Monetization of Mapping and Cartographer-Creators” & “Beyond OpenStreetMap,” we discussed the idea of cartographers as creators, and he issues which we see holding back OSM. And in the Maps 101 series, we made efforts to introduce those new to the field, to some of…

Examining the platforms shortcomings and building toward alternatives — Before you read on, if you’ve been waiting to get on proto and start mapping. IT’S TIME! Join our online onboarding events to know more about how you can start mapping and be part of our Map to Earn program. Introduction OpenStreetMap (OSM) has been the cornerstone of Digital Maps for…

Why these maps matter so much & Why we’re rebuilding them — Before you read on, if you’ve been waiting to get on proto and start mapping. IT’S TIME! Join our online onboarding events to know more about how you can start mapping and be part of our Map to Earn program. The Foundations of Community Cartography Here’s some context first; Maps have historically been built one…

What is geotagging, and why is this crazy idea from the early 2000’s still valuable This is part #3 of an ongoing series where we delve into the technical aspects of cartography, real-world case studies of its utility and insights into the industry. Subscribe and Join us for the ride…

How do we take this 3D planet and make it 2D for everyday use ? This is part #2 of an ongoing series where we delve into the technical aspects of cartography, real-world case studies of its utility and insights into the industry. Subscribe and Join us for the ride…

A quick-dive into the value-prop for maps and how they serve the world There’s a certain irony in explaining the significance of map data across a conference table. The quizzical looks, raised eyebrows, and occasional nods are all too familiar. On average, users access location data about 4.5 times daily, either sharing their location with an app or using navigation/location-based services. …

Why mappers are creators and their work is monetizable Mercator the Creator The standard map of the world, with which we’re all familiar, is called the Mercator Projection, named after its creator, Gerardus Mercator. Mercator crafted maps in 16th-century Belgium, and map-making was in high demand then, primarily for navigational purposes. The Mercator…

And their long relationship with open maps In this blog, we shall be looking at Scotland’s gritters. A gritter, also known as a gritting vehicle or winter maintenance vehicle, is a specialized vehicle used to spread grit or salt on roads during winter weather conditions. The purpose of gritting is…

by Elzaphan Murage TL;DR With Proto, you can curate your experiences in real life into a lifelog, adding your own personal commentary and handwritten notes to a decentralized map. Just like the unique annotations found on historical pocket maps, we are bringing a sense of wonder, nostalgia, and ownership to…