Import desert means that datasets were imported (especially the TIGER dataset in the US) which prevented local communities of mappers to grow. Fixing up broken import data isn't so nice for beginners.
If you want to help you can just register on openstreetmap.org and begin editing things in your area you know are missing/incorrect. There's also a beginner's guide in the openstreetmap wiki: http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Beginners%27_guide
If you want to help you can just register on openstreetmap.org and begin editing things in your area you know are missing/incorrect. There's also a beginner's guide in the openstreetmap wiki: http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Beginners%27_guide