Reporter: aseerel4c26
[Submitted to the original trac issue database at 5.50pm, Thursday, 19th December 2013]

background: https://help.openstreetmap.org/questions/29190/whats-the-easiest-way-to-see-the-previous-position-of-a-node

[http://www.openstreetmap.org/node/418218760 test URL]

• Currently (in German interface): 49,9673353, 8,8385462
• Suggested (like in the English interface): 49.9673353, 8.8385462

In the current UI the decimal separator of the coordinates is a "," in German (maybe in other translations, too). While it is correct in principle (e.g. 123,45 ) it creates problems for the coordinate display here:

• Copy&Paste into data files or applications (e.g. URL parameters, .gpx files, .osm files) is harder because they usually expect a "." (decimal point) as separator.
• It is confusing to read because, at least currently, the lat-lon separator is also a "," (comma). This problem could also be solved by using another separator here (e.g. a ";" or "/") - which would create possibly even more usability problems.
• The German translation of JOSM does not translate the decimal separator (it is noted that the point input feature somehow seems to even understand the current version). The German interface of my (old) Garmin also does not translate the decimal separator.

Since the use of a translated decimal separator creates problems, I suggest to simply not translate it. Those users who use the node browse pages should be used to decimal separators in coordinates.

[https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/w/index.php?title=User:Aseerel4c26/osm.org_UI_fixes_by_JS&diff=974978&oldid=974966&rcid=&curid=118560 A JavaScript-based workaround] (having a better coordinate display while still being on the German interface)