User:Dmcrandall/Welcome-UT

Customize and send.

--- Hello <User Name>,

It’s nice to see a new editor in the area, welcome aboard! We can definitely use the help of more good local editors that know and drive the roads! I was new not that long ago and while I know there is a lot to learn at first, you’ll be up to speed in no time. ;) You may have already encountered some of these, but I thought I’d send you this message with a few important things to remember when starting (they helped me a lot).

- Remember not to delete or disconnect any roads. This one is really important, if roads are deleted or disconnected, valuable traffic data (past trips, speeds, etc.) is lost forever!

- Any edits you make will show up on the live app! This is also a big one, if you accidentally change a road with a turn restriction, Waze will route drivers around it, possibly adding a lot of time to someone’s commute!

- Changes or edits will have a real and direct effect on a lot of people! (and drivers get really grouchy if their GPS takes them down dead ends or routes them way around  :( )

- Be careful with existing intersections, even slight changes to the angles of roads can affect navigation guidance (keep right, turn right, etc.)

- Always check to make sure roads and nodes are actually connected (click on a segment and look for the arrows indicating where traffic can go at each end of the segment)

- Waze is primarily a navigation app. The main purpose is to help people get from A to B. If an edit helps that goal, add it, if it doesn’t, don’t. I remind myself this one all the time.

- Don’t add excessive parking lot roads… ;) most editors tend to do this when starting, but too many parking lot roads clutter the map and tend to confuse drivers instead of helping them.

- Ask around in chat, many experienced editors are ready and eager to help and provide assistance.

- Here is a link for some of the most common mistakes made as a new editor (a must read, I probably made all of these when starting :o ): [url=https://wiki.waze.com/wiki/Common_editing_mistakes]https://wiki.waze.com/wiki/Incorrect_edits[/url].

Anyway, I don’t want to overwhelm you, but I thought I’d share a few of the important things to know/remember. Also, check out this website for information on the Waze Map Editor interface and controls: [url=https://wiki.waze.com/wiki/Map_Editor_Interface_and_Controls]https://wiki.waze.com/wiki/Map_Editor_Interface_and_Controls[/url] and this website on good map editing practice: [url=https://wiki.waze.com/wiki/Best_map_editing_practice]Best Practices[/url]

I also recommend that you read the [url=https://wiki.waze.com/wiki/Utah]UT State Wiki[/url] page. This tells you what we do differently in Utah.

Let me know if you have any questions, I’d be happy to assist or help any time. Welcome to the editing team, we’re happy to have the help!

<Your Username & title>