MapQuest changing their map access on July 11th

[+The A-Team]

This is more of a heads-up to the GS developers than a current problem.

Direct Access to MapQuest map tiles without a key will end on 11 July 2016

MapQuest is moving to a 100% cloud solution - the new infrastructure

dictates that all tile access will require a key. Details on how to get

keys, SDKs and general migration information is below:

 

On Monday, July 11, 2016, our direct tile access to MapQuest legacy maps

will be discontinued. After Monday, July 11, 2016, we’ll require those

using our direct tiles access to sign up for a plan on the Developer

Network and transition to one of our four mapping solutions...

The developers may already be aware of this and have a plan in place, but I just wanted to make sure we don't all get caught off-guard on July 11th and have the maps on the cache listings disappear.

[+Viajero Perdido]

And as mentioned elsewhere, those MapQuest maps on cache pages are no longer getting updates from OSM.

 

Dead, Jim.

 

They're getting more obsolete with every passing day.

Edited June 20, 2016 by Viajero Perdido

[+The A-Team]

And as mentioned elsewhere, those MapQuest maps on cache pages are no longer getting updates from OSM.

Yeah, ideally we'd have a better map provider (or even a dedicated Groundspeak map rendering server, which would be free), but even out-of-date MapQuest OSM maps would be better than no map at all, which is what would happen on July 11th.

[+Viajero Perdido]

I think if they simply cut a cheque to ThunderForest - purveyors of OpenCycleMap and other fine maps - they'd be heroes.

 

Just dropping hints on the off chance...

[+The A-Team]

I think if they simply cut a cheque to ThunderForest - purveyors of OpenCycleMap and other fine maps - they'd be heroes.

 

Just dropping hints on the off chance...

I doubt that'll happen. Groundspeak has always tried to find ways to freeload in the past. They've been using free access to map layers, use a rotating system to access multiple free geocoders (I assume this is still happening), and were using Google for free until they changed their policies and started cracking down on freeloaders (at which point Groundspeak reluctantly started paying).

 

I've mentioned it in the past, but Groundspeak can set up a server to render OSM data from scratch in whatever style(s) they wish for no cost beyond the hardware. It would mean one or more developers would have to familiarize themselves with the world of OSM and the rendering software, but it would save money in the long run and give them more control.

[+Viajero Perdido]

They'd have to find (or conjure up) a good-looking stylesheet if they go that route. Simplest would be to simply render in the OSM Default style, but that's a style only a mother (or an update-checking cartographer) could love. The Thunderforest styles like the popular OpenCycleMap are proprietary, so those aren't available for a DIY company.

 

The Humanitarian style doesn't look too bad; that may be open-source.

 

Anyway, hey Groundspeak, are you on this?

Edited June 21, 2016 by Viajero Perdido

[+cleandrysurface]

The default map has changed from OSM(?) to MapBox Outdoors, which appears to be using the socialist metric system. Is there any way to change my default map to Esri WorldTopoMap, which still uses good old 'mercun imperialist units? My head already hurts from working on projects in metric and decimal imperial. I don't want to have to convert a 50 m topo line to a +/- 160 ft topo line in my leisure time.

[+Viajero Perdido]

They've given us no way to choose the map being displayed on the cache page, nor to save our preferred default map over on the full-size map page. And I doubt they will anytime soon, since they seem to have other priorities.

 

Have you noticed all the extra trails on the MapBox map? It's based on OSM, which has become the king of trail maps.

 

Interestingly, in spite of the metric camouflage, MapBox is a US company.

[+BlackRose67]

The default map has changed from OSM(?) to MapBox Outdoors, which appears to be using the socialist metric system.

I see scales for both the socialist and imperialist measurement systems on the Mapbox maps.

[+cleandrysurface]

The default map has changed from OSM(?) to MapBox Outdoors, which appears to be using the socialist metric system.

I see scales for both the socialist and imperialist measurement systems on the Mapbox maps.

 

All of the maps have scales for both. I was referring to the contour labels. Moot at this point, however. MapBox is gone and MapQuest OSM is back. Crisis averted I suppose.

[+Bazonka]

The default map has changed from OSM(?) to MapBox Outdoors, which appears to be using the socialist metric system.

I see scales for both the socialist and imperialist measurement systems on the Mapbox maps.

 

All of the maps have scales for both. I was referring to the contour labels. Moot at this point, however. MapBox is gone and MapQuest OSM is back. Crisis averted I suppose.

And MapQuest is gone again, replaced by Google maps. I wish they'd make their minds up... it's making a right mess of my Maps puzzle cache.

[+Viajero Perdido]

See the Release Notes thread. They're trying out a few things, as explained there.

 

Hopefully things will settle down shortly.

[+NJSquirrel]

Oh my OS, MapBox has been replaced by Google.

 

I liked Mapbox better than both MapQuest & Google. I hope they bring it back.