Mastodawn

#BoycottGoogle #FCKGoogle #BoycottGoogleMaps

True story:
Having recently been compelled to use #GoogleMaps for once, I wanted it to take me to the beach; however, it decided to lead me straight into a military checkpoint - AT GUNPOINT 🪖!

Thank you, #Google... 😅

When I pointed to Google Maps, they nodded in understanding and let me go ;)

Google just thought it would be a nice idea to take a shortcut through a completely off-limits military zone.

Emmanuelle Baud vidéaste Feb 11, 2025

Blort™ 🐀Ⓥ🥋☣️Feb 16, 2025

It would be useful to check if that military based is marked on #OpenStreetMap so at least the people using #FLOSS maps applications don't run into the same thing...

#OSM #GoogleMaps

#BoycottGoogle #FCKGoogle #BoycottGoogleMaps #Maps #Map

🗺️ Warning:
If you try to boycott #GoogleMaps, don't use #Waze as an alternative.

Waze = Google

"In June 2013, Waze Mobile was acquired by Google for US$1.3 billion."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waze

Waze - Wikipedia

Brother Soul Feb 13, 2025

@madeindex WHY does everyone sell out? Like every good thing, always gets sold out. It's annoying.

Big up's for sharing the info.

Brother

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenAI#2019:_Transition_from_non-profit

@brothersoul
Glad you like it Soul Brother :)

😭 It's insane that not even #nonprofits are untouched, as illustrated by #OpenAI 🤯

#Microsoft #nonprofit

OpenAI - Wikipedia

Claude Flammang Feb 13, 2025

@brothersoul @madeindex
I think the answer in this case is 1.3billion?

Full Metal Accountant Feb 11, 2025

@madeindex
Currently using WeGo and am pretty happy with it. Using it mainly for avoiding traffic backups on regular commute. Don't need fancy stuff. Not great , but pretty good.

@ordrad Pretty good is still better than #Google 😂

Spencer Feb 11, 2025

@madeindex Apple Maps still says GOM

Altbot Feb 11, 2025

@spencer A map of the United States, Mexico, and Central America. The map shows the locations of major cities, including Chicago, Kansas City, Dallas, Houston, Mexico City, and Guatemala City. The Gulf of Mexico is also visible, as is the Tropic of Cancer. The phone's time is 7:40 AM. The bottom of the image shows a search bar that says "Search Maps".

Provided by @altbot, generated using Gemini

bruno caldas vianna Feb 11, 2025

@madeindex facilmap.org

@brunovianna Seems like a great alternative! https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/FacilMap

FacilMap - OpenStreetMap Wiki

RejZoR Feb 11, 2025

@madeindex I've replaced Google Maps with HERE WeGo like 10 years ago and never looked back.

I keep OrganicMaps and TomTom AmiGo as backup options, but I haven't needed them yet.

Eric Schutte Feb 11, 2025

@madeindex
Thanks !!!
I’m trying to get rid of everything Google.

@ericschutte Happy it's helpful to you :)

Good! #FCKGoogle

EMC2 Feb 11, 2025

@ericschutte @madeindex
Same Same... but some of the non-profit organizations we collaborate with still use google drive to share docs and sheets. Any suggestions?

@ErinMC2

You can try the 5GB free #Proton cloud storage: https://proton.me/drive/pricing.

Is there something specific you are looking for? :)

@ericschutte

Proton Drive cloud storage pricing and plans | Proton

Explore and compare Proton Drive cloud storage pricing. Protect your files, photos, and documents with flexible, affordable cloud storage plans.

Proton

EMC2 Feb 12, 2025

@madeindex l
Thank you! I've started using Proton email and calendar and will dive into the drive now! 👍

Nik | Klampfradler 🎸🚲Feb 11, 2025

Heads up: mapcarta.com includes Google tracking!

Damon L. Wakes Feb 11, 2025

@madeindex Organic Maps is FANTASTIC for getting around on foot. It doesn't do public transport routes, but the level of detail - down to tiny things like benches and sculptures - is amazing. Google Maps won't even show you half the footpaths that are there. #OrganicMaps

@DamonWakes That's great to hear! I'll use it for my next walk :)

frpz Feb 11, 2025

@madeindex any alternative with traffic information? This is the number 1 feature for many

Andy Wootton Feb 11, 2025

@madeindex Is it worth me pointing out that osmand is an Android app which uses the osm maps. That's the one I use but there are others. See OSM for a list.
https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/

OpenStreetMap Wiki

Cyril Feb 11, 2025

@madeindex
1. Why are ppl angry at #googlemaps ? Like is there a moral reason or is it just because they are terrible for tourists?(Ps I wouldn't use them for walking never ever)
2. I can only recommend #mapycz made by #seznam_cz . I have never seen a map so accurate and telling about the landscape so much.

@Erwin_Schroedinger

1. Press on: #GoogleMaps, and you'll quickly see why! :)

2. That's great to hear, they even support #OSM: "Mapy.cz has been a long-time contributor of content to OpenStreetMap.[15] and, since 2024, a Silver Corporate Member of the OpenStreetMap Foundation."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mapy.cz

Mapy.cz - Wikipedia

SellaTheChemist Feb 11, 2025

@madeindex And worth mentioning that loads of Apps build on top of OpenStreetMap. Ironically, NOAA's GIS systems are built on it too…

@sellathechemist Agreed, almost all of them are build mostly on #OpenStreetMap :) Interesting!

SellaTheChemist Feb 11, 2025

@madeindex Gah! Stupid typo that mucked up my meaning. Apologies.

MadeInDex 📰🌎Feb 12, 2025

@sellathechemist I understood, nothing to apologize for! :)

Thibaultmol 🌈Feb 11, 2025

For added context:

Osmand and organic maps are both apps that are Openstreetmap based.

Mapcarta is as well

Mapy.cz and lokjo (hadn't heard of it till now) are also osm based.

And so are Komoot (best for cycling/walking) and magic earth (best for car) are also OSM based.

Mapquest is Here based

@thibaultmol 👍 It's incredible and awesome how dominant OSM data is! #OpenSource will eventually win!!!

trash panda qc Feb 11, 2025

@madeindex does anyone have similar recommendations that are good for local businesses and transit routes in Mexico? been at a dead end for those features, most of these feel heavily oriented towards hiking and driving in Europe

Blort™ 🐀Ⓥ🥋☣️Feb 11, 2025

Mapcarta looks fab! Thanks for sharing that!

I use #OrganicMaps (💕 !) and love it. Sometimes I need Google's surveillance machine for current traffic info, though. Do any of these options have traffic data?

Side note: I wonder how a FOSS style traffic service could exist financially. Streaming sats podcasting 2.0 style, or a monthly subscription? I love the idea of free, but doubt server costs could be covered by donations, given the need for frequent updates. 🤔

InsertUser Feb 12, 2025

@Blort Magic Earth has traffic data.

I don't think they say where they get it.

Blort™ 🐀Ⓥ🥋☣️Feb 12, 2025

@InsertUser @madeindex

Well, I'm sure however they're getting their data, and their behavior can't really be worse than Google, so I dare say it's an improvement... assuming they haven't renamed the Gulf of Mexico or similar.

Blort™ 🐀Ⓥ🥋☣️Feb 14, 2025

@InsertUser @madeindex

Do they have traffic speed or just traffic incidents?

InsertUser Feb 14, 2025

@Blort
They have some sort of indication of congestion and will sometimes update expected arrival time based on that, or suggest rerouting IIRC.

They also have road closures and you can report hazards.

I don't know how any of that is stored internally.

jdb Feb 12, 2025

@madeindex @jdb
Done !
Now it's time to learn to get rid of all this. All this and all the rest.
Personally, I use Osmand, full of features, sometimes it makes it complex. But it if a great tool.
For driving : waze

Danny Boling ☮️Feb 12, 2025

Thank you so much for your excellent post and the fantastically helpful comments it generated. I'm just starting to degoogle so replacing gmaps was on my to-do list. I installed four new navigation apps to test on my phone while I was reading the thread!

@IAmDannyBoling

I'm really happy to hear that! It's very motivating to know that others actually get motivated by these kinds of threads, if that makes sense :)

Danny Boling ☮️Feb 14, 2025

That totally makes sense!
The topic is timely because so many people are tired of putting up with google's crap. I've resisted because degoogling is a lot of work but threads like these light the way!

MadeInDex 📰🌎Feb 15, 2025

@IAmDannyBoling ✨ 😊

o_andras Feb 13, 2025

@madeindex there's also https://osmapp.org/ online, if you can edit the OP

OsmAPP

An open-source map of the world based on the OpenStreetMap database. Features a search, clickable points of interest, in-app map edits, and more!

OsmAPP

Adam Jacobs 🇺🇦Feb 13, 2025

@madeindex Thank you! Have just installed OsmAnd on my phone.

@statsguy 👍 +1 #Opensource -1 #Google 😀

Lokjo - a European online map Feb 13, 2025

Hey thanks for including us!

Ichiban Feb 17, 2025

@madeindex I'll never concede to dump trump, musk rat, or Facebook. Google must be added to the list of companies who've kissed the ring of DEI deniers. Besides what else are they gonna rename by capricious fiat...Canada, Ukraine, Mexico? No More!