• Google Maps query

    From chrisnd @ukrm@chrisnd@privacy.net to uk.rec.motorcycles on Tue Jul 7 12:50:26 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    I used to quite like Google Maps - but it seems to have got markedly
    worse in usability over the last year or so, with all the things I
    actually used being moved to 'less accessible areas' or disappeared completely!

    Firstly, when I reopen it, I expect it to go to where I last was - not
    invite me on (eg) a skiing holidy in the Alps!

    Secondly, wtf has the 'History' button gone? Some of my past history
    now pops up when I visit a new place (why?)

    Any help much appreciated.
    Alternatively (since I am looking seriously at de-Googling because of
    the sort of cr*p above and increasing intrudisness[Sp?]) recommendations welcome for other map sources. I do have Osmand on my phone, which,
    whilst it is useful and generally good, seems incredibly clunky!

    TIA, Chris
    --
    The Deuchars BBB#40 COFF#14
    Yamaha XV750SE & Suzuki GS550T
    https://www.Deuchars.org.uk

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  • From wessie@willnotwork@tesco.net to uk.rec.motorcycles on Tue Jul 7 13:44:03 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    "chrisnd @ukrm" <chrisnd@privacy.net> wrote in news:nb47g2F8ie1U2 @mid.individual.net:

    I used to quite like Google Maps - but it seems to have got markedly
    worse in usability over the last year or so, with all the things I
    actually used being moved to 'less accessible areas' or disappeared completely!

    Firstly, when I reopen it, I expect it to go to where I last was - not invite me on (eg) a skiing holidy in the Alps!

    Secondly, wtf has the 'History' button gone? Some of my past history
    now pops up when I visit a new place (why?)

    Any help much appreciated.
    Alternatively (since I am looking seriously at de-Googling because of
    the sort of cr*p above and increasing intrudisness[Sp?]) recommendations welcome for other map sources. I do have Osmand on my phone, which,
    whilst it is useful and generally good, seems incredibly clunky!

    TIA, Chris

    what device and operating system are you using when seeing this behaviour?

    some Apple shit I am guessing

    I do not see any of the above on my Windows laptop and Android phone
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Chris Deuchar@chrisnd@privacy.net to uk.rec.motorcycles on Tue Jul 7 15:40:12 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    On 07/07/2026 14:44, wessie wrote:
    "chrisnd @ukrm" <chrisnd@privacy.net> wrote in news:nb47g2F8ie1U2 >@mid.individual.net:

    I used to quite like Google Maps - but it seems to have got markedly
    worse in usability over the last year or so, with all the things I
    actually used being moved to 'less accessible areas' or disappeared
    completely!

    Firstly, when I reopen it, I expect it to go to where I last was - not
    invite me on (eg) a skiing holidy in the Alps!

    Secondly, wtf has the 'History' button gone? Some of my past history
    now pops up when I visit a new place (why?)

    Any help much appreciated.
    Alternatively (since I am looking seriously at de-Googling because of
    the sort of cr*p above and increasing intrudisness[Sp?]) recommendations
    welcome for other map sources. I do have Osmand on my phone, which,
    whilst it is useful and generally good, seems incredibly clunky!

    TIA, Chris

    what device and operating system are you using when seeing this behaviour?

    some Apple shit I am guessing

    I do not see any of the above on my Windows laptop and Android phone

    No apple shit here!
    Ubuntu linux on laptop and android on phone.
    I did wonder if its just me :-/

    Chris

    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Peter Fisher@nospam@nosspam.net to uk.rec.motorcycles on Tue Jul 7 19:04:45 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    On 07/07/2026 16:40, Chris Deuchar wrote:
    On 07/07/2026 14:44, wessie wrote:
    "chrisnd @ukrm" <chrisnd@privacy.net> wrote in news:nb47g2F8ie1U2
    @mid.individual.net:

    I used to quite like Google Maps - but it seems to have got markedly
    worse in usability over the last year or so, with all the things I
    actually used being moved to 'less accessible areas' or disappeared
    completely!

    Firstly, when I reopen it, I expect it to go to where I last was -
    not invite me on (eg) a skiing holidy in the Alps!

    Secondly, wtf has the 'History' button gone?-a Some of my past history
    now pops up when I visit a new place (why?)

    Any help much appreciated.
    Alternatively (since I am looking seriously at de-Googling because of
    the sort of cr*p above and increasing intrudisness[Sp?])
    recommendations welcome for other map sources.-a I do have Osmand on
    my phone, which, whilst it is useful and generally good, seems
    incredibly clunky!

    TIA, Chris

    what device and operating system are you using when seeing this
    behaviour?

    some Apple shit I am guessing

    I do not see any of the above on my Windows laptop and Android phone

    No apple shit here!
    Ubuntu linux on laptop and android on phone.
    I did wonder if its just me :-/

    Chris


    What browser. Opera on Ubuntu works for me. History 'button' is at the
    bottom of the Google Maps sidebar. Or use the 'Recents' button.

    MyMaps still exists if you use that - https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/
    --
    Moto Morini 2C/375
    Gilera 175 Sport, Husqvarna 401 Svartpilen
    Honda CB250RS (Not Waynetta!)
    "Do not adjust your mind, there is a fault in the reality"
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Theo@theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk to uk.rec.motorcycles on Tue Jul 7 23:17:58 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    chrisnd @ukrm <chrisnd@privacy.net> wrote:
    Alternatively (since I am looking seriously at de-Googling because of
    the sort of cr*p above and increasing intrudisness[Sp?]) recommendations welcome for other map sources. I do have Osmand on my phone, which,
    whilst it is useful and generally good, seems incredibly clunky!

    Try Organic Maps. It's open source, it uses OpenStreetMap data and seems
    like a normal mapping app. The idea is that you download maps in advance so
    it works offline, rather than streaming map updates in real time - when you zoom in it'll ask if you want to download a region.

    I've not used it for navigation but it'll do that. As it works offline it doesn't have live traffic. It also doesn't have a motorcycle mode (although there was talk of adding one, it doesn't seem to have gone anywhere).

    Another one that does is HERE WeGo, formerly owned by Nokia. It think it
    also has live traffic too. That's not open source.

    Theo
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From chrisnd @ukrm@chrisnd@privacy.net to uk.rec.motorcycles on Thu Jul 9 11:48:17 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    On 07/07/2026 19:04, Peter Fisher wrote:
    On 07/07/2026 16:40, Chris Deuchar wrote:
    On 07/07/2026 14:44, wessie wrote:
    "chrisnd @ukrm" <chrisnd@privacy.net> wrote in news:nb47g2F8ie1U2
    @mid.individual.net:

    I used to quite like Google Maps - but it seems to have got markedly
    worse in usability over the last year or so, with all the things I
    actually used being moved to 'less accessible areas' or disappeared
    completely!

    Firstly, when I reopen it, I expect it to go to where I last was -
    not invite me on (eg) a skiing holidy in the Alps!

    Secondly, wtf has the 'History' button gone?-a Some of my past
    history now pops up when I visit a new place (why?)

    Any help much appreciated.
    Alternatively (since I am looking seriously at de-Googling because
    of the sort of cr*p above and increasing intrudisness[Sp?])
    recommendations welcome for other map sources.-a I do have Osmand on
    my phone, which, whilst it is useful and generally good, seems
    incredibly clunky!

    TIA, Chris

    what device and operating system are you using when seeing this
    behaviour?

    some Apple shit I am guessing

    I do not see any of the above on my Windows laptop and Android phone

    No apple shit here!
    Ubuntu linux on laptop and android on phone.
    I did wonder if its just me :-/

    Chris


    What browser. Opera on Ubuntu works for me. History 'button' is at the bottom of the Google Maps sidebar. Or use the 'Recents' button.

    MyMaps still exists if you use that - https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/



    Vivaldi for me (an Opera spin off by some former Operaisti)

    Thanks for the pointers

    Chris
    --
    The Deuchars BBB#40 COFF#14
    Yamaha XV750SE & Suzuki GS550T
    https://www.Deuchars.org.uk
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From chrisnd @ukrm@chrisnd@privacy.net to uk.rec.motorcycles on Thu Jul 9 11:49:54 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.rec.motorcycles

    On 07/07/2026 23:17, Theo wrote:
    chrisnd @ukrm <chrisnd@privacy.net> wrote:
    Alternatively (since I am looking seriously at de-Googling because of
    the sort of cr*p above and increasing intrudisness[Sp?]) recommendations
    welcome for other map sources. I do have Osmand on my phone, which,
    whilst it is useful and generally good, seems incredibly clunky!

    Try Organic Maps. It's open source, it uses OpenStreetMap data and seems like a normal mapping app. The idea is that you download maps in advance so it works offline, rather than streaming map updates in real time - when you zoom in it'll ask if you want to download a region.

    I've not used it for navigation but it'll do that. As it works offline it doesn't have live traffic. It also doesn't have a motorcycle mode (although there was talk of adding one, it doesn't seem to have gone anywhere).

    Another one that does is HERE WeGo, formerly owned by Nokia. It think it also has live traffic too. That's not open source.

    Theo

    Thanks for the pointers

    Organic Maps look good - but I'll try both.

    Chris
    --
    The Deuchars BBB#40 COFF#14
    Yamaha XV750SE & Suzuki GS550T
    https://www.Deuchars.org.uk
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2