3.3. Overview iD and JOSM

Course Objectives

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

  • Understand the difference between iD editor and JOSM
  • Learn how to teach people to use JOSM or iD editor

This section are designed to assist project managers and others leading trainings and workshops. If you are an individual interested in learning how to map with OpenStreetMap using iD Editor or JOSM, please visit LearnOSM.org.

Learning Activities

Difference between iD and JOSM

There are several ways to edit in OpenStreetMap. The two most commonly used tools and best programs for mapping projects are iD editor and JOSM. This section provides an overview of each tool as well as presentations to be used in trainings. For self-paced materials and guides, visit LearnOSM.

Factors iD Editors JOSM
Edit OSM data ✅ ✅
Interface Simple Quite complex for begineer
Internet connection Requires stable internet connection Requires stable internet connection
Tagging interface Following consistent and simple tagging scheme (i.e. building or road) You are able to using default tagging scheme or using your own preset (custom tagging scheme)
Data quality activities Can be used for simple data quality fix (i.e. overlapping building or building without tags) Mostly used by advanced validator because JOSM have lots of data quality tools (I.e. revert changeset, mass fix error/warnings, routing validation, etc)
Mostly HOT uses for Mapathons or when you are restricted from installing program on the computer you are using Data quality check, processing field data before upload to OSM, organized editing with paid digitizers
Skills and Technology Needed ComputerMouseStrong Internet connectionOSM accountInternet browser (edge, firefox, chrome, or you preferred internet browser app) ComputerMouseMinimal/intermittent internet connectionOSM accountInstallation files (Recommended: download installation files for offline sharing and installation)Java (Install this file before installing JOSM)Java OpenStreetMap Editor Installer (JOSM)

[Quiz] Check Your Knowledge

  1. Advanced validator and digitizer often uses Potlach and iD for data validation activities

    a. True

    b. False

  2. You are in the situation where you need to have a mapathon event. All participants registered in your Mapathon activities are intermediate mapper who already made an edits more than 3000 changesets. What is the best application to use for this mapathon event, especially if you also have validation activities at the end of your mapathon event?

    a. iD editor

    b. JOSM

Answer: 1. B | 2. B

Activity Checklist

This section provides you an overview of iD and JOSM, two most editing apps within OSM community. By the end of this section, you should be able to:

  • Differentiate between JOSM and iD
  • Teach people to use iD or JOSM

Additional resources

Training materials

Additional resources