Description

Have a look at the discussion here. Users will frequently upload shapefiles with insane resolutions, making them very large. However it is difficult to just say "Don't upload a file that is larger than XX" because it all depends what is in it. Polylines (road network, train lines) are much smaller than polygons (land use, boundaries), and individual GPS points are even smaller.

This task is about writing up a good instruction document around how users can evaluate the file size of their shapefile and reduce it if it is too detailed. I suggest browsing existing shapefiles to find some that are nice and small, as inspiration but also to start making guidelines for different types. Please add quite some screenshots and samples to the document. Also play around with tools like QGIS or mapshaper to understand how you can reduce the resolution and thus the size.

If you are comfortable working with shapefiles, then this task should be doable, even if you are not too familiar with our system. If you are not too familiar with shapefiles but you want to learn all ins and outs, then this could be an opportunity to get your feet wet (do watch our instruction video on shapefiles).

General instructions