GeoNames Forum

Hei, thanks for a splendid data source! I want to contribute by correcting places, and adding new ones, at least from the region where I'm from (in Norway). Anyways, i noticed that the already present data tend to have a large offset, 200-300 meters or so. I realize that this is probably due to conversions from a old and 'proprietary' datum to WGS84. Hopefully some day the authorities will release their updated namebase under 'open source' so that better data can be integrated. My question is; is it right to correct the existing data? I.e. is the google.maps view providing koordinates that are more correct?

The offset you observe is due to a rounding to 30'' in a data set we are using for many country where we could not found more accurate information.
The google maps display is certainly more accurate than the rounded data.

Cheers

Marc