#apple maps

Just for fun, enjoy a customizable map where you can exclude fake geographic names.

People are cackling after the mapping company MapQuest announced it has no intentions of changing the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America"—and instead has created a "Gulf Map Generator" that allows people to troll President Donald Trump by renaming the body of water however they'd like. [ ... ] Typically, changing a geographic name involves a lengthy process, taking at least six months as the U.S. Board on Geographic Names consults with states, tribes, mapmakers, and other stakeholders. However, Trump’s order called for the change to take effect within just 30 days.

For more fun, print out a hard copy version of your customized map and physically mail it to Google or Apple.

So you heard or saw the fuckery regarding the "renaming" of the Gulf of Mexico and want to tell Google to fix it's shit? Well you go to report the "error" but what's this? You can't??? Why, they've turned off the reporting function for the Gulf renaming idiocy! So you go to leave a scathing review as your next step. But lo, the review you left had been deleted!!! Absurdity at it's finest. Google won't listen to us, and won't accept criticism. So how about "Fuck Off Google" and go with a tried and true alternative?

Behold, I present to you ✨ MOZILLA'S FIREFOX ✨

Firefox has been around since the Browser Wars. And while Chrome was declared the supposed victor, Firefox still persists doing good work. Firefox has customizability like dark modes, syncing across devices, and loads of extensions, but a big plus is that Firefox also allows you to actually utilize ad blockers AND doesn't sell your information all over like Google does.

"But Wyrm, I have so many bookmarks and tabs open in Chrome" WORRY NOT, FRIENDS! Mozilla is aware of this and ready to help! They have a whole page with step-by-step processes on how to switch over and it's really easy. I did it myself years ago and they continue to update the page. You can access it here.

Also for search engines, Duck Duck Go is GREAT instead of Google

Duck Duck Go also values privacy and is very easy to use and it can easily be changed to Firefox's default search engine (or another search engine if you wish) following these steps here.

What about Google Maps and Apple Maps? (Unfortunately Apple is also renaming the Gulf it seems, so there goes using Apple too) While those navigation apps are really convenient (that's how Google and Apple have gotten so powerful. Well, that and reeeeeally good PR teams), there are options (not Waze unfortunately, that's owned by Google) but you can check out MapFactor (a bit clunky, but free and streamlined) or, for the really Olde Ones here, MapQuest is still alive and kicking (and even has an app on both Google Play AND the App Store and it works great! Only complaint I have is the ads, but a small thing to ignore so we can spite the monopolies in power) and it has the correct name for the Gulf of Mexico still.

Unfortunately Google owns a lot of shit, but it's still worth the effort to switch off where you can!

Alright, now you have some easy steps to tell Google (and Apple!) to fuck off massively without Google shutting you out. Shut Google out first!

I’m planning the timing/route for tomorrow’s regularly scheduled trip to the vet. This lovely adventure will take at least two hours one way minus added traffic, accidents, or road construction. So not only do I have to use a calendar for the date and time of the appointment, a mapping app to figure out the route….

But then I have to go scour MODOT as well because in this day and age no one has figured out how to put the option of avoiding construction in a mapping app!!! You can avoid highways and tolls and ferries…. But for the love of all things fluffy the people who program maps obviously do not drive or they would understand the need to avoid construction zones!!! Nothing like going from 70mph to 15mph or less…