Modernize look of map

[jancborchardt]

Compared to stuff like Google Maps, Mapbox and Maps.me, the map style we use looks pretty old. :)

Is there a way we can modify this, with MapCSS for example?

Or is this difficult because we only get the tiles? If so, can we get nicer tiles?

cc @Henni @v1r0x

[Henni]

Using MapCSS won't work because we don't render the tiles ourselves.
But we could probably use another tileserver.

[hitam4450]

@janborchardt: I agree! 👍

[DJaeger]

Why not using the Mapnik tiles?

[Alafazam]

If somehow we can get vector tiles, then maybe we can also have different map-themes. Like mapbox does.

[Henni]

@DJaeger we spoke about own tile servers in #69.
I would love to see this implemented, but isn't a generic solution as most users won't know what a tile server is or even be able to set up their own.

@Alafazam I believe OpenStreetMap is not designed to work with vector tiles.
There are things like GeoJSON, but they are meant for overlays and not the base map layer.
@Alafazam do you have experience with this?

Alternative open/free providers i found (both aren't really useful):
http://maps.stamen.com/
https://cartodb.com/basemaps/

You might also want to take a look at https://leaflet-extras.github.io/leaflet-providers/preview/index.html, where you can try some providers supported by leaflet (or maps-js-library)

[jancborchardt]

@Henni from https://leaflet-extras.github.io/leaflet-providers/preview/index.html, MapBox is the best one, followed by OpenStreetMap.HOT

[Alafazam]

@Henni No I don't have much experience with Vector Tile servers, but I have some experience with gnome-maps which uses OSM. I would love to help(as much as I can).
See this too,
https://github.com/mapzen/vector-datasource/wiki/Mapzen-Vector-Tile-Service

[jancborchardt]

Talked to @freenerd of Mapbox about this as well. As said in the related issue »Run your own simple tile server in ownCloud?« #69, the best plan of action is probably to have a means for admins to define their own tile provider with the ability to put in an API key.