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How can I set a map program in Firefox that is independent of the search progam (e.g., Google)?

  • 6 replies
  • 3 have this problem
  • 67 views
  • Last reply by McCoy

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I like using Google for internet searches, but can't stand the latest version of Google Maps (which is almost impossible to read). It seems that there is no separate selection in Firefox Options to specify the map program that I want, separate from the search program. For example, if I want to use Windows Maps, I have to set the default search program to Bing. If I set the search program to Google, the system defaults to Google maps.

I like using Google for internet searches, but can't stand the latest version of Google Maps (which is almost impossible to read). It seems that there is no separate selection in Firefox Options to specify the map program that I want, separate from the search program. For example, if I want to use Windows Maps, I have to set the default search program to Bing. If I set the search program to Google, the system defaults to Google maps.

All Replies (6)

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Hello bobfw,

I'm not sure if any of the alternatives mentioned here is what you are looking for, but would you please take a look at this article and scroll down to the section Google Maps Alternative

Also see : https://www.reddit.com/r/privacytoolsIO/comments/96i96j/google_map_alternative/

Any good  ?

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Hello McCoy. Thanks for your response. However, it's not another map program I'm looking for. I realize my question should have been better explained. This issue occurs when I do a Google search on my Windows PC (not on my iPad or iPhone). Say I'm searching for a business. The results of my Google search could be a webpage with a map glyph showing the location of the business. To get all the map details, I click on the glyph and it jumps me into the map program so I can see the details of the business location and how to get there. My problem is that it uses Google Maps to do this. The current version of Google Maps is virtually useless to navigate with, because the roads are almost completely faded out (an innovation that others have complained about in other online forums). So, I'd like to be able to jump into another map program, not Google Maps. This is not a problem on my Ipad or Iphone, because they automatically jump into the Ipad or Iphone Maps program, not Google maps, even though I use Google to do my searching on them.

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bobfw said

However, it's not another map program I'm looking for.

And then you say :

So, I'd like to be able to jump into another map program, not Google Maps.

You've lost me ......

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If you want to link from Google search results to a different company's maps, I think you will need an add-on or a user script that modifies your Google results page with custom links. Does that exist? I have no idea.

Otherwise, you could do your searches on Bing when you expect to be using a map.

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To McCoy: Sorry, I don't know how else to explain it. But thanks for your help.

To jscher2000: Ah yes, an add-on that modifies the Google results page with a custom link to the map program I want. That would be great. Maybe Mozilla could do this. It's what Apple seems to have done on the iPad and iPhone. Thanks for clarifying that this is the type of solution I'd need. In the meantime, I'll take your suggestion about using Bing when I expect to use a map. Thanks for your help.

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bobfw said

To McCoy: Sorry, I don't know how else to explain it. But thanks for your help.

As you say in your original post :

"I like using Google for internet searches, but can't stand the latest version of Google Maps (which is almost impossible to read)."

And also mentioned having to use Bing (which I thought is not something you wanted to do) I went looking for an alternative for Google Maps.

Apparantly not one of my brightest moments ......

Would you be so kind as to mark jscher2000's post as Chosen Solution  ? ("Solved the problem" button to the right)

Thank you in advance  !

Modified by McCoy