GeoNames Forum

A lot of geonames users are asking for points of interest. Point of Interest are a geographical point of reference and are important for search.
A first step to improve the geonames data base in this respect is a data set based on landmarks kindly donated to geonames by hotels.com (more on hotels later)

The data set is still missing the geonames feature codes. In order to add feature codes for this data set I have set up an online spread sheet on the editgrid platform :
http://www.editgrid.com/user/geonames/landmark
The data set will be integrated into the main geonames database as soon as we have enough feature codes for the landmarks.

Help needed :
If you are interested in Points of Interest of if you just want to help geonames, you can help us add feature codes. Just add the missing feature codes in the spread sheet for cities or countries you know well. You can also change other fields in the spread sheet and correct misspellers or entirely delete a landmark if it is completely wrong.
The full list of feature codes is available here http://www.geonames.org/export/codes.html

Some common feature codes you might need are :
S.MKT = market
S.SQR = square
S.CSTL = castle
S.BLDG = building(s), a structure built for permanent use, as a house, factory, etc.
S.MNMT = monument

L.PRK = park
S.GDN = garden(s)

R.PRMN = promenade, a place for public walking, usually along a beach front
R.ST = street

I have also introduced two new feature codes :
S.OPRA = opera
S.THTR = theatre

Some feature codes in the spread sheet have been added automatically. All features with 'City centre' in the name became a P.PPLX, features with 'Museum' in their name became S.MUS, and so on.
Features from the US have been deleted as we already have comprehensive data for the US.

Links :

POI Spread Sheet :
http://www.editgrid.com/user/geonames/landmark

Feature Codes
http://www.geonames.org/export/codes.html

I'm OK with helping updating this file. But to save, you need to login. Is it the same login as the general geonames login?

The file is hosted on the editgrid platform. If you have a login there you can use this or you can update as anonymous user. There is no save button. At least I don't see one. It seems to be using an autosave mechanism.
Here the history of the file :
http://www.editgrid.com/property/history/list/350617
At the moment it is just a simple online spreadsheet file and has nothing to do with the geonames database. Once we have enough updates I will take the file and insert the features into the geonames database. It is kind of an experiment to see whether it is efficient to work with an online spreadsheet in this way.

Marc

OK - autosave indeed. Cool.