Map Editor version (August 12, 2012) Official Feedback

[AlanOfTheBerg]

If you're an AM or even a local editor and you are not working on URs from your local Wazers, you're missing a huge part of your "job" doing Waze map editing. It's likely that big cities are not able to be cared for properly by local AMs as there is, apparently, too many URs or they and other local editors are spending editing time elsewhere, trying to get points from changing direction and turn restrictions in small towns instead. I'd think these cities and metro areas would have plenty of AMs and other editors who could take care of user requests, but it's clear that these are not being done, which is why non-local country managers are in your areas and editing your roads.

Please don't get all hopped up and mad at a CM who changed the name of your misspelled street because a UR complained about it, but then they also didn't check every single turn restriction on the misspelled segments.

What I'd like to see, similar to what bgodette already wrote, is that if I am working on a UR in a place non-local to me, I would like to be able to keep the lock level at the previous editor rank for any object I update. If there is a wrong street name or a ramp which isn't named at all, but shows locked, I should be able to update the name without increasing the locking level. I believe this would help out a lot.

[FreeMan12]

If you're an AM or even a local editor and you are not working on URs from your local Wazers, you're missing a huge part of your "job" doing Waze map editing. It's likely that big cities are not able to be cared for properly by local AMs as there is, apparently, too many URs or they and other local editors are spending editing time elsewhere, trying to get points from changing direction and turn restrictions in small towns instead. I'd think these cities and metro areas would have plenty of AMs and other editors who could take care of user requests, but it's clear that these are not being done, which is why non-local country managers are in your areas and editing your roads.

Please don't get all hopped up and mad at a CM who changed the name of your misspelled street because a UR complained about it, but then they also didn't check every single turn restriction on the misspelled segments.

What I'd like to see, similar to what bgodette already wrote, is that if I am working on a UR in a place non-local to me, I would like to be able to keep the lock level at the previous editor rank for any object I update. If there is a wrong street name or a ramp which isn't named at all, but shows locked, I should be able to update the name without increasing the locking level. I believe this would help out a lot.

I agree with you, Alan. If you, from OR make a spelling error change for me in IN, then you shouldn't automatically lock everything you touched. Unfortunately, that's the change Waze has just implemented, and it is going to be frustrating. Maybe you, even as a CM, should only be able to lock roads you've actually driven on or are in areas you're an AM for.

I've been editing roads for about 2 years. I got fairly involved in map fixes when I got started, but got frustrated with the update from cartouche to WME. I sat out for a while because I just wasn't willing to put up with the headaches. I just got reengaged a couple of months ago as some major road construction has started up in my area that will be replacing a major thoroughfare with interstate. If every segment of road on my daily commute gets locked by someone who is through there infrequently but is a higher ranked AM, I probably won't be willing to deal with the annoyance of having to send PMs all the time.

Over these 2 years, I've made a grand total of 7400 edits. Just because I live in an area where there is a low density of roads doesn't mean that I didn't read the directions and ask a lot of questions before I started making changes. Even before today's implementation, I've run into an increasing number of locked roads done by a local AM who's at level 4. He and I have carried on a good dialog, and I send him PMs about the issues I run into. Either unlocks them and/or just fixes them. It does, however slow me down, since I can't just make a change in an area that is under his management, but outside his normal driving routine, but well within my normal driving area.

[AlanOfTheBerg]

This is indeed a pain. And, just FYI, even CMs (level 4) can be locked out of editing stuff, too. Segments locked by admin(6). Need to change the primary name.

This highlights the problems most editors will experience segments inside their area manager area which are locked by a higher ranking editor. It is easy enough to get around for now, but soon we will not have the old editor to rely upon.

[AlanOfTheBerg]

Ok, seriously Waze? You didn't fix the segment splitting bug workaround for locked segments? Because you ask for feedback and testing, but do not fix the issues we find, I have no qualms about letting the cat out of the bag on this. (May not work for everyone.)

EDIT: This bug was fixed prior to release. It is not possible to work around this in WME.

[enfcer74]

I think I may be in the minority on this one, but I completely understand why Waze did what they did. They have a business they are running, and by letting new AM's mess with area's that are high priority, and potentially messing them up, they could be messing with their business. It makes since to have your experienced editors making these changes. I do think level 3 & 4 AM's/CM's should be on the same lock level, and not be locked out by level 4's as the only real distinction is 4's have been granted Country Rights, at level 3 we all have enough edits under our belts to know what needs to be done.

Also we kinda brought this on ourselves as a whole, Waze staff included. We have been encouraging people to become AM's but have not provided proper guidance. Yes, there is the wiki, and the forums, but little has been done to make sure they have a good grasp on editing, or what is even in the wiki to help them.

I would propose that we do set up a vetting structure of sorts, to make sure that there is at least a basic understanding before granting someone editing rights. Some that have been spelled out recently in other forum listing include having someone show edits that they made, and such. This unfortunately is all too time consuming, and and be faked. Someone can go in and adjust a restriction, and then change it back and save it and it shows them as having done it. I would propose an exam of sorts. Just like a certification exam, develop a series of question who's answers are found in the wiki and forums. When someone wants to become an AM they request to Waze to become one. They state what country they are from so, any local adjustments can be added. The exam can be some what automated, and Waze can even set up different emails for different regions for AM's if that would make it easier. Once the question email is sent to the prospective new AM they have X amount of time to respond, and pass the exam by X %. Every few months 2 or 3, change the questions, and if anyone who did not pass the first set can re-apply when the new questions come out. This is at least make sure they have a basic understanding of things deemed important to Waze and the current AM's/CM's.

[rleejr79]

Well, I thought I would chime in. I am an AM in southwestern PA, south of Pittsburgh and north of the Morgantown WV. I have surpassed 120,000 edits and am a level 3 editor. Some of the statements previous are correct. When I have questions, I ask in the forums or Country Managers, preferably familiar with my area. I do make mistakes, though not intentional.

There are a good deal of editors that are threatening to quit over this. I think that Waze can't afford this, though we are all able to be replaced. I understand the change of permission as to not allow a new AM to make errors to a Country Manager's (CM) segments and landmarks. I agree that the level of editing prior to level 4 does not determine the editing ability. I am not anywhere near the best, but I learn every day. I try to perfect my area, as if you look in my edited areas, my street names and road segments are pretty clean.

I agree with other that with others that we need to look at the issue with AM full editing capabilities in his/her area. This will place an extra burden on CMs as they will be unlocking a great deal of segments vs editing as we need them to do. 100,000 edits is a long way to achieve leveling to 3 to achieve full editing capabilities as discussed previously in this thread. It may deter new editors or not, I am not sure.

Regardless, I feel that this should have been discussed thoroughly on the forums prior to implementation.


That is my 2 cents, which will only buy you two pieces of penny candy.

[gbrlhtclcq]

Hi,

I'm rather disappointed by the new policy about locked segments.

I'm an area manager since a few days, and I was in the process to fix all the roads of my areas. But since today, I cannot fix a lot of errors I encounter on the map, included some errors that are on main roads. While I certainly do not have the experience of a wazer with 100k+ edits, I think that I could fix these errors easily if the segments in my area weren't locked. But I can't now.

I don't understand the point of becoming an area manager if we can't manage the area completely.

I hope that in the future area managers will be able to edit all the segments of their area, like before.

Best regards.

[AlanOfTheBerg]

Also we kinda brought this on ourselves as a whole, Waze staff included. We have been encouraging people to become AM's but have not provided proper guidance. Yes, there is the wiki, and the forums, but little has been done to make sure they have a good grasp on editing, or what is even in the wiki to help them.

Many veteran editors do not actively encourage people to become AMs. Just the opposite, in fact.

[jasonh300]

I can see this is quickly turning into a huge pain in the ass.

As of right now, Waze needs to come up with a new admissions process for Area Managers. Come up with a comprehensive test to prevent AMs from coming in who don't know what they're doing. Do a massive purge of anyone who hasn't proven themselves to be an asset to the community (anyone who hasn't been active in 6 months, anyone who hasn't posted a certain number of posts over a certain period of time in the forums, etc.). Once the new admissions process has been implemented, all the new editors go on a probationary period...say a Level 1 AM with a small area. At the end of the probationary period, have the Champs check out the work, and if it's satisfactory, let them be Level 2 AMs, with permissions as Level 2s have always had. The level 2s would have an opportunity to expand their area, but would remain Level 2 until approved by peers to be Level 3, etc. Top out Level 4 as a state manager, and that's where they would stay unless they get appointed as a Waze Champ Country Manager.

[bedo2991]

Future request: "Select Entire street" selects all segments within a newly created roundabout.