OSM Finder is composed of a frontend and a backend. The frontend provides the simple and (hopefully) intuitive web interface where the user can draw and annotate a scene in an image. Based on the user’s visual description of the scene, the frontend provides a PostgreSQL query that can be copied and pasted into the backend. The backend is what actually does the geolocating for us, based on the query that’s provided by the frontend.

To help bring some order to this Wiki, a recommended sequence of pages to read is as follows:

1. (For advanced users) Learn how to create custom categories
2. Install the Backend
3. Install the Frontend or simply use the publicly hosted frontend here
4. Read over the usage instructions
5. Understand OSM Finder’s technical limitations

For a quick demonstration of how OSM Finder can be used, read part 1 of the Locating Spokane series on the blog.