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Which Google Maps alternative looks similar to (or can be made to look similar to) Google Maps? (piefed.world)
submitted 3 months ago by to c/android@lemmy.world
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I've installed and been fiddling around with OsmAnd~ for a few days now. And I have to say it is dense. It has way too many details and it feels overwhelming.

For all its faults, Google Maps works really well when it comes to showing information. More and more details are shown as you zoom in.

That's not the case with OsmAnd.

So much detail is on the screen when I'm looking to just get an idea of the region and I don't even know where to start.

How can I make it look like Google Maps? Maybe I'll be able to use that as a starting point and configure it further as needed?

Thanks.

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[+] -6 points 3 months ago (3 children)

Wow, blame the user?

It's missing a facility, a massive facility, that's been there since before OSM existed.

That's an example of the problem. Why would I bother with it if I have to start with Google maps because OSM doesn't have a major medical facility? May as well just use Google maps.

And your attitude is exactly what keeps new users away from stuff like this.

I happen to use six mapping apps on my phone, and the bottom line is they all suck compared to Google.

Now ask the average user - someone not like me - to use these handicapped apps.

I'm all for them - as I said I have six mapping apps. I've actually contributed to them. But you gotta go being an ass about it.

Pound sand.

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  • [–] 9 points 3 months ago

    There is no way open source software could possibly keep up with Google Maps unless it's community-backed by a lot of people. Sure, in a 1 on 1 competition, the one with a billion dollars has an advantage, but in a 10,000 to 1 competition, things start looking a little more even.

    That being said, it would be a better use of your energy to take the 5 minutes to add the facility in Open Street Maps rather than complain online about it. Maybe it would help 5 or 10 others with similar issues, and you can feel good about making a community contribution.

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  • [–] 5 points 3 months ago*

    My area lacked almost all detail 6 years ago. Over that time, myself and another user have mapped out my city, sometimes down to the micro mapping level. It's now better and more accurate than Google Maps, and I found a fun, new hobby which keeps me active.

    Even just doing StreetComplete does a lot, and takes little effort or time. It sounds like you just don't care and want a "free" platform without any effort. Trouble is, the "free" platform isn't truly free, you have to give your data to Google to get it. Go ahead and do that instead if you've got a problem with contributing to OSM.

    In the time that you took to write whatever your comment is, you could've added that facility for you and your neighbors. You could have even just dropped a note saying "x facility is missing here" and another mapper would've taken care of it for you. Instead, you chose to waste time bitching about it.

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