When adding notes, allow non-registered users to provide e-mail for updates

[RicoElectrico]

Often, anonymous users post notes that need further clarification, like where exactly one-way ends, or that we need GPS traces (when imagery is too old). These notes get commented, but the person who added it doesn't come back to check it. Therefore, I propose that anonymous users should be able to enter their e-mail address for receiving updates on status of their notes. It would not be published. Of course, it's not mandatory to provide one. There are two benefits:

• We can ask for details necessary to fix a note, if needed.
• Arguably, when they see their notes resolved, they would be encouraged to add more.

[malenki]

+1

[tomhughes]

You can +1 all you like - it won't make the blindest bit of difference to anything.

[woodpeck]

When you edit Wikipedia without logging in, there's a big message explaining the benefits you have from creating an account and editing with that. Maybe we should just amend the explanation that people receive when they click "add a note" with something like that:

You are not currently logged in. We still appreciate your contribution but we won't be able to contact you in case of questions, or to tell you that the data has been fixed. Create an account and log in if you want to receive such notifications.

[Klumbumbus]

I just want to say, that this feature would be very helpful. Some notes stay open for month/years just because there are open questions and the anonymous creator of the note never came back to check the status. This can result in clutter of old notes which can immobilize the whole notes system in some areas. Since I'm active in commenting notes, I would be happy and thankful if this feature or the solution woodpeck suggested, would be implemented.

the short version of this comment:

+1

;)

[RicoElectrico]

When you edit Wikipedia without logging in, there's a big message explaining the benefits you have from creating an account and editing with that. Maybe we should just amend the explanation that people receive when they click "add a note" with something like that:

I think that the purpose of notes is to give least-effort way to fix the map. If someone is told to register, well, they have to carefully read Contributor Terms (everyone does, right? :wink: ) and receive confirmation link (from my experience graylisting, spam "filtering" and all that stuff can really delay this).

Edit: Accidentally, I stumbled in my mailbox upon a very old e-mail from Google that they fixed an error I reported. So that's for how our competition does it. (Not that I reported anything more. Gotta have something to mock :stuck_out_tongue: )

[ligfietser]

+1

[stevebeer]

I agree, the email should be optional with a message which informs the user that when he supplies a email address (should be encrypted) they can get response from a voluntary mapper. It's easy to clean up the old notes clutter. It would be much easier when i could sort a notes list on dates, starting with the oldest. I have been looking for such a list. There is a one sorted on the newest notes, not the oldest. http://resultmaps.neis-one.org/osm-notes

Not enough info supplied -> bye bye note.

Make us a new one with more info. ;-)

[marczoutendijk]

I strongly support this request!

[brycenesbitt]

The contact with a note maker is fleeting: they'll enter their note and likely be gone forever. Having a way to engage them again is golden, and can help draw them into a desire spiral (see http://www.nirandfar.com/hooked ).

I strongly support this.

---

Lots of notes are written by people who clearly meant well, but did not provide enough data. They're willing to help, but need some prompting to know what's needed.

What needs updating? _ (required) How do you know?____ (required) Optional: let the mapper who will read you note know a little about you. There is no need to leave a name: ___(optional) Optional: leave an email address to be notified__(optional, confidential) [BUTTON: SUBMIT]

[kocio-pl]

@brycenesbitt: I think that is even better - some structure in note making would help both reporters and OSM team.

[cliffordsnow]

One possibility would be to use the strategy that craigslist uses for communication between sellers and buyers, an anonymous email through our server. That would protect the identify of the poster yet allow a dialog. That may get at what I think Tom Hughes was alluding to, i.e. posters don't want to leave their email posted on a map of the world.

[brycenesbitt]

To help inform the analysis of notes, here are some brand new statistics showing the growth of notes and the progress of mappers in closing notes: http://resultmaps.neis-one.org/osm-notes . There's a parallel system with "fixme" tags, not graphed.

Edit: new URL, thanks @tilmanb . The notes stats are new and things are not quite stable yet.

[tilmanb]

@brycenesbitt the link gave a 404, this one works, though: http://resultmaps.neis-one.org/osm-notes .