Waze Map Editor/Welcome: Difference between revisions Discussion View history

(Added a link to our Communication platforms page in "Before you get started")
 
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{{mbox|text=This is a work in progress.
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Please help work this out at: https://www.waze.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=276&t=108515 or to type the right stuff right here.}}
{{ForumLink|"New and prospective editors" portal|108515}}
{{navbox|group1=Essentials|list1={{flatlist|1=
{{navbox|group1=Essentials|list1={{flatlist|1=
*[http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0C9FD01D87B5FD66 Videos]
*[[Waze_Map_Editor#Permalink|Permalink]]
*[[Map_Editing_Quick-start_Guide|Quick Start]]
*[[Map_Editing_Quick-start_Guide|Quick Start]]
*[[Best_map_editing_practice|Best practices]]
*[[Best_map_editing_practice|Best practices]]
*[[Common editing mistakes|Common mistakes]]
*[[Common editing mistakes|Common mistakes]]
*[[User:Voludu2/Your area manager|Your area manager]]}}
*[[How to find your area manager|Your area manager]]
*[//drive.google.com/file/d/0B8WbeRGWGEOjQ1BvbHFtYlJSV2pIOVdyQlgtRmJzQUtHNjRz cheat sheet]}}
|group2=Tools
|group2=Tools
|list2={{flatlist|
|list2={{flatlist|1=
* [[Keyboard shortcuts]]
* [[Keyboard shortcuts]]
* [[Community_Plugins,_Extensions_and_Tools#WME_Validator|WME Validator]]
* [[Community_Plugins,_Extensions_and_Tools#WME_Magic|Magic]]
* [[Community_Plugins,_Extensions_and_Tools#WME_Junction_Node_Fixer_.28JNF.29|junction node fixer]]}}
* [[Community_Plugins,_Extensions_and_Tools#WME_Toolbox|Toolbox]]
* [[Community_Plugins,_Extensions_and_Tools#WME_Color_Highlights_.28WMECH.29|Color Highlighter]]
* [[Community_Plugins,_Extensions_and_Tools#WME_Chat_addon|Chat addon]]
}}
}}
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|group3=Assisted Edits
|list3={{flatlist|1=
* [http://www.waze.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=622 Unlock Forum]
* [http://www.waze.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=129&t=102605 US road closures]
* [http://www.waze.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=815&t=76775 Non-US road closures]
}}
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So you want to be a waze editor? You are about to join a community working together to improve wazers' drives by improving the Waze map. You have probably figured out that you have the power to tremendously improve wazers' commutes. To do that, just start simple, learn the basic principles, and connect with the community.
Our motto is [[Best_map_editing_practice#Overall_Goals|"Usability, Simplicity, Retention"]]. Make it useful, keep it simple, and <span style="color: red">do not delete</span>. You are about to join a community working together to improve wazers' drives by improving the Waze map. You have probably figured out that you have the power to tremendously improve wazers' commutes. To do that, just start simple, learn the basic principles, and connect with the community.


Waze is an app that helps its users avoid traffic while navigating to their destinations.  It relies on a map suitable for a small smart-phone screen. It needs a map that accurately represents where motor vehicles can drive, is simple and uncluttered, and retains the road segments with the traffic data.   Our motto is "Usability, Simplicity, Retention". With that in mind, get started!
Waze is an app that helps its users avoid traffic while navigating to their destinations.  It relies on a map suitable for a small smart-phone screen. It needs a map that accurately represents where motor vehicles can drive, is simple and uncluttered, and retains the road segments with the traffic data.


==Before you get started==
==Before you get started==
* Remember that every edit you make can make a big difference to a lot of wazers. The [http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0C9FD01D87B5FD66 videos] don't mention that. Look for edits that follow the principals of good waze map editing -- usability, simplicity, and retention.
* Understand there are guidelines to help you make edits that will improve the map. The editing videos in the app don't tell the whole story. Every edit you make can make a big difference to a lot of wazers. Do not delete roads. Only make edits that follow the principles of good waze map editing -- [[Best_map_editing_practice#Overall_Goals|usability, simplicity, and retention.]]
* Before you edit the real, map, try out some practice editing. Log out and choose practice mode at [http://waze.com/editor the waze editor]. Read a little about [[Map_Editing_Quick-start_Guide|how to edit]].
* Familiarize yourself with our Waze Map Editing [[Communication platforms]]. Communication and collaboration are a key part of Waze Map Editing, and engaging with other editors early in your editing can avoid a lot of common pitfalls and establish a good knowledge baseline.
* Log on to [http://www.waze.com/forum/ the waze forum]. This will set up your forum account so other editors can contact you.
* Be prepared to see your changes to roads go live at the next tile update.
* Be prepared to wait for approval on your place changes until you reach level 2. New places appear at the next tile update, but place updates go live as soon as they are approved.
* Watch the [http://status.waze.com/ status updates] to see when tile updates happen. [[FAQ#When_do_my_edits_show_up_in_the_Waze_app.3F|Tile updates]] happen frequently -- usually every 1 to 3 days anywhere in the world.
* [//support.google.com/waze/answer/6073202?hl=en&ref_topic=6049902 Register an account and set a password]
* [//www.waze.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=636&t=51403 If your username begins with '''usa_''' or '''world_''', please change your username to something memorable].
* Log on to [http://www.waze.com/forum/ the waze forum]. This will make sure your forum account is set up so other editors can contact you.
* Practice your skills in the practice editor -- log out and choose practice mode at [http://waze.com/editor the waze editor]. Read a bit about [[Map_Editing_Quick-start_Guide|how to edit]].


== Your first editing session ==
== Your first editing session ==
* Log in and get started.
* Log in and get started.
** See other waze editors, so they can catch your attention. Use the layers icon [[File:layers.png|25px]] in the upper right-hand corner and tick the box next to [[Layers#Live_Users|Live Users]].
** See other waze editors, so they can catch your attention. Use the layers icon [[File:Wme-layers-2018.PNG|25px]] in the upper right-hand corner and tick the box next to [[Layers#Live_Users|Live Users]].
** Open chat [[File:WME Chat minimized visible no new.JPG|25px]]. Send "Good Morning. This is my first time editing!" and say what you are here to do. Any available experienced editors will be very glad to talk to you while you make your first edits.
** [[Waze Map Editor/Chat|Open chat]] [[File:WME_Chat_Online_2018.png|25px]]. Send "<code>Good Morning. This is my first time editing!</code>" and say what you are here to do. Any available experienced editors will be very glad to talk to you while you make your first edits.
* Remember that you need to stick with the work you started until it is finished and corrected.
* Remember that you need to stick with the work you started until it is finished and corrected. Follow the [[best practices]] guide, and use the [[Map_Editing_Quick-start_Guide|Quick Start Guide]] if you don't know how to do something. Also, you should take the time to read over the full [[Waze Map Editor]] guide, which goes into great detail and shows you how to do many things with the editor that might not be covered in the quick start and best practices guides (or not in as much detail).
* What is safe to do your first time out?  
* What is safe to do your first time out?  
** Correct spellings
** Correct spellings.
** Check and correct road direction (one-way or two way),
** Check and correct road direction (one-way or two way).
** Check whether turns are allowed or not.
** Check whether turns are allowed or not.
** If you have recently "[[pave]]d" a road using the app, you can [[Creating_and_editing_road_segments#Confirm_the_road_by_updating_details|confirm the road]] to make it show up in the app and stop looking red in the editor.
** [[Map_Editing_Quick-start_Guide#Create_a_Road|Create new roads]] or fix up roads you have recently "paved" using the app. Remember to [[Creating_and_editing_road_segments#Confirm_the_road_by_updating_details|confirm the road]], connect it to other roads, and [[Creating_and_editing_road_segments#Set_allowed_turns_.28connections.29|fix all the allowed and not-allowed turns]] to make it route properly.
* Your first time out, unless you are working closely with an experienced editor, you should:
* Unless you are working closely with an experienced editor, you should:
*# Not Delete roads or any parts of roads -- that deletes traffic data.
*# Not delete roads or any parts of roads -- because that deletes traffic data.
*# Not Create [[Places/Parking_lot#Principles|parking lots]] or [[Places#Area|area places]], or add [[Road_types/USA#Parking_Lot_Road|roads or lanes in parking lots]]. This can confuse Waze and clutter the map.
*# Not create new [[Places/Parking_lot#Principles|parking lots]] or other [[Places#Area|area places]]. Because all your place changes will initially require approval, you might like to avoid any [[Places]] edits (points and areas) entirely at first.
*# Not Make changes to major roads and their on-ramps or turn lanes.
*# Not make changes to [[Road types#Importance_of_road_types|major roads]] and their ramps or turn lanes.
*# Not Make changes to roads that are connected to locked roads.
*# Not make changes to roads that are connected to [[FAQ#What_is_a_locked_road?|locked roads]].
*# Not Split two-way roads into divided roads or highways, even if they are that way in real life.
*# Not turn two-way roads into divided roads or highways, even if they are that way in real life.
* After you save your change, use chat to send "I have just saved my first edit. Can someone check my work in El Dorado Arkansas (or wherever you are located)". Select the object you just saved and share a [[Waze_Map_Editor#Permalink|permalink]] [[File:Permalink_icon.png|25px]] to it.
* After you save your change, use chat to send "<code>I have just saved my first edit. Can someone check my work in <El Dorado, Arkansas> (or wherever you are located) please.</code>" Select the object you just saved and share a [[Waze_Map_Editor#Permalink|permalink]] [[File:Permalink-2018.png|25px]] to it.


== After your first editing session ==
== After your first editing session ==
* Check your [https://www.waze.com/forum/ucp.php?i=pm&folder=inbox forum personal or private messages].  You may have a welcome message from another waze editor.
* Check your [http://www.waze.com/forum/ucp.php?i=pm&folder=inbox private messages on the Waze forum] for a welcome message.
* Find out what is going on lately in editing by checking what's trending in [http://www.waze.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=8 the editing forum]
* Connect with the editor community by checking [http://www.waze.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=8 the editing forum]
* Check the email you used to register with waze. You'll get a notification there if anyone sends you a new PM, or if you get any other kind of notification from waze.
* Check the email you used to register with waze. You'll get a notification there if anyone sends you a new [[Private message|PM]], or if you get any other kind of notification from waze.
* Come back to editor chat and ask lots of questions.
* Come back to editor chat and ask lots of questions.
* Get to know [[User:Voludu2/Your area manager|your area manager]]s. If you can't figure out who they are, ask in chat.  Introduce yourself and ask for guidance.
* Learn about [//docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vRCkUFyBp9W3NbVWu5eXlY0V9IILQlym2WW1793-FjS6qIV1wnSGml_dty-1qAhpFElIeL0vD9jTYHv/pub?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000 skills for beginning editors]
* Learn to check your own work, following the [[Best practices]] guidelines, and avoiding [[Common editing mistakes]]. Some mistakes can be difficult to spot. Some especially helpful tools are [[Community_Plugins,_Extensions_and_Tools|browser extensions for Chrome or Firefox]]
* Find out [[How to find your area manager|the area manager]]s in the areas you edit. If you can't figure out who they are, ask in chat.  Introduce yourself in chat or PM ask for guidance.
** [[Keyboard shortcuts]] ({{key press|Shift|Z}} shows all forbidden turns)
* Learn to check your own work, following the [[Best practices]] guidelines, and avoiding [[Common editing mistakes]].  
** [[Community_Plugins,_Extensions_and_Tools#WME_Validator|WME Validator]] -- shows many common errors.
** [[Community_Plugins,_Extensions_and_Tools#WME_Junction_Node_Fixer_.28JNF.29|junction node fixer]] -- fixes common errors at intersections.
** [[Community_Plugins,_Extensions_and_Tools#WME_Color_Highlights_.28WMECH.29|Color Highlighter]] -- Makes some road segment features easier to see.
* Read some more in the wiki. Begin with the [[Map_Editing_Quick-start_Guide|Quick Guide]].  Go into more details with the [[Map Editor Interface and Controls]]. Digest [[Best practices]] and [[Common editing mistakes]]. Start to understand when and when not to create roads, what road types to use, and how [[junction]]s and [[road type]]s affect routing.  Some of this stuff is tricky, so ask questions all along the way.
* Read some more in the wiki. Begin with the [[Map_Editing_Quick-start_Guide|Quick Guide]].  Go into more details with the [[Map Editor Interface and Controls]]. Digest [[Best practices]] and [[Common editing mistakes]]. Start to understand when and when not to create roads, what road types to use, and how [[junction]]s and [[road type]]s affect routing.  Some of this stuff is tricky, so ask questions all along the way.


==What to do next==
==Tools you can use==
Some mistakes can be difficult to spot. Some enterprising editors have written Waze Map Editing [[Community_Plugins,_Extensions_and_Tools|browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox]]
* [[Keyboard shortcuts]] -- For example, {{key press|Shift|Z}} shows all forbidden turns.
* [[Scripts#WME_Toolbox|WME Toolbox]] -- Contains many powerful tools and highlights, including fixes for common errors at intersections, and gets more powerful as you climb in editing rank and role.
* [[Scripts#WME_Color_Highlights|Color Highlighter]] -- Makes some road segment features easier to see.
* [[Scripts#WME_Chat_addon|Chat addon]] -- Gives your chat window a much-needed upgrade and smooths away a couple of WME chat bugs.
 
==Things you can do next==
* Learn the right way to use [[Update_Requests_in_Waze_Map_Editor|Update requests]] to improve the map -- courteously and efficiently.  You might consider using [[Extensions#UR_Overview_Plus_.28URO.2B.29|UR Overview +]] for its powerful UR filtering tools.
* Consider [[Mentoring/Formal|Formal Mentoring]]. It is a great opportunity to learn the basics quickly, and speed your advancement through the ranks. Whether or not you think you are interested in formal mentoring, have a look through the learning material on the [[Mentoring/Resources|Mentoring Resources page]].
 
[[Category:Waze Map Editor]]

Latest revision as of 16:40, 25 April 2019

You can bring up comments or questions about this in
 "New and prospective editors" portal forum topic.

Our motto is "Usability, Simplicity, Retention". Make it useful, keep it simple, and do not delete. You are about to join a community working together to improve wazers' drives by improving the Waze map. You have probably figured out that you have the power to tremendously improve wazers' commutes. To do that, just start simple, learn the basic principles, and connect with the community.

Waze is an app that helps its users avoid traffic while navigating to their destinations. It relies on a map suitable for a small smart-phone screen. It needs a map that accurately represents where motor vehicles can drive, is simple and uncluttered, and retains the road segments with the traffic data.

Before you get started

  • Understand there are guidelines to help you make edits that will improve the map. The editing videos in the app don't tell the whole story. Every edit you make can make a big difference to a lot of wazers. Do not delete roads. Only make edits that follow the principles of good waze map editing -- usability, simplicity, and retention.
  • Familiarize yourself with our Waze Map Editing Communication platforms. Communication and collaboration are a key part of Waze Map Editing, and engaging with other editors early in your editing can avoid a lot of common pitfalls and establish a good knowledge baseline.
  • Be prepared to see your changes to roads go live at the next tile update.
  • Be prepared to wait for approval on your place changes until you reach level 2. New places appear at the next tile update, but place updates go live as soon as they are approved.
  • Watch the status updates to see when tile updates happen. Tile updates happen frequently -- usually every 1 to 3 days anywhere in the world.
  • Register an account and set a password
  • If your username begins with usa_ or world_, please change your username to something memorable.
  • Log on to the waze forum. This will make sure your forum account is set up so other editors can contact you.
  • Practice your skills in the practice editor -- log out and choose practice mode at the waze editor. Read a bit about how to edit.

Your first editing session

  • Log in and get started.
    • See other waze editors, so they can catch your attention. Use the layers icon in the upper right-hand corner and tick the box next to Live Users.
    • Open chat . Send "Good Morning. This is my first time editing!" and say what you are here to do. Any available experienced editors will be very glad to talk to you while you make your first edits.
  • Remember that you need to stick with the work you started until it is finished and corrected. Follow the best practices guide, and use the Quick Start Guide if you don't know how to do something. Also, you should take the time to read over the full Waze Map Editor guide, which goes into great detail and shows you how to do many things with the editor that might not be covered in the quick start and best practices guides (or not in as much detail).
  • What is safe to do your first time out?
  • Unless you are working closely with an experienced editor, you should:
    1. Not delete roads or any parts of roads -- because that deletes traffic data.
    2. Not create new parking lots or other area places. Because all your place changes will initially require approval, you might like to avoid any Places edits (points and areas) entirely at first.
    3. Not make changes to major roads and their ramps or turn lanes.
    4. Not make changes to roads that are connected to locked roads.
    5. Not turn two-way roads into divided roads or highways, even if they are that way in real life.
  • After you save your change, use chat to send "I have just saved my first edit. Can someone check my work in <El Dorado, Arkansas> (or wherever you are located) please." Select the object you just saved and share a permalink to it.

After your first editing session

Tools you can use

Some mistakes can be difficult to spot. Some enterprising editors have written Waze Map Editing browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox

  • Keyboard shortcuts -- For example, Shift+Z shows all forbidden turns.
  • WME Toolbox -- Contains many powerful tools and highlights, including fixes for common errors at intersections, and gets more powerful as you climb in editing rank and role.
  • Color Highlighter -- Makes some road segment features easier to see.
  • Chat addon -- Gives your chat window a much-needed upgrade and smooths away a couple of WME chat bugs.

Things you can do next

  • Learn the right way to use Update requests to improve the map -- courteously and efficiently. You might consider using UR Overview + for its powerful UR filtering tools.
  • Consider Formal Mentoring. It is a great opportunity to learn the basics quickly, and speed your advancement through the ranks. Whether or not you think you are interested in formal mentoring, have a look through the learning material on the Mentoring Resources page.