Hello, everyone. Today I would like to reintroduce the Mapper’s Challenges to the community. Luciano granted me permission to revive the concept, and I will be running with it for the time being. We’ve had some great work done over the previous twelve challenges, and I think it is worth putting the effort into encouraging good mapping. For me, the Mapper’s Challenges were a great place to experiment, get private feedback, and observe more skilled mappers at work on larger projects. While not every topic will appeal to each user, I would still encourage everyone to give these a quick try. As before, post what you have in the comments below; do not be afraid to provide feedback on submissions also. This is a great place to learn and have fun. It is my hope that we get a chance to see all the good things that users are doing around OGF.

I also want to encourage users to try the “weekly word” challenge! That is a shared, friendly “competition” that is easy to participate in. The monthly Mapper’s Challenges are larger and thus different; their missions do not conflict.

This month’s challenge comes courtesy of a suggestion by Udi before the challenges went on hiatus for a few months.

Mapper’s Challenge #13 - Showing Culture

The challenge for this month is to develop the culture and history of your country by constructing cinemas, theatres, libraries, museums, or other relevant facilities. Add any that are of interest to your country. Names like “Museum of Slavery” or “Library of Communist History” also give hints about a culture. Since culture is more abstract than highways and railways, you will need to be creative and think hard about what your country is like. Then, go for it! Give it a try and see what happens!

There are already a lot of these places popping up in OGF, and many users already have different skill levels on this topic. So I offer a tiered challenge for people to try:

• Beginner challenge: Place a building and tag it according to its function (library, museum, etc.). Try to make the building a logical shape and make sure it is placed in an appropriate location. Be sure to give the building a name!
• Moderate challenge: Complete the Beginner challenge but also work on the area immediately around the building. Are there benches, monuments and memorials, trees, fountains, walkways, etc.? Do some extra tagging and work on how the outside of the building fits the inside.
• Advanced challenge: Complete the Moderate challenge but extend it to the entire neighborhood. Is the facility in a cultural district or a simple neighborhood? Provide some details of the environs with other buildings, parking facilities, commercial or retail venues for guests, etc. Go beyond the immediate grounds of the initial building and create an atmosphere that complements (or intentionally contradicts!) the cultural meaning.
• Collaborative challenge: Pick a level and work with another user. Is there shared cultural heritage or is there another shared people group? What about mapping in another territory (with permission, of course)?

For me, I’m going to try at least the moderate challenge. There are a few ideas I’m tossing around. I also am going to do the collaborative challenge, as there is a project with Litvania that needs to be finished. So, this month offers the perfect chance to do this. I’ll post some updates in my bliki as the month goes along.

Happy mapping!