cross-posted from: https://ponder.cat/post/1485960
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum wrote a letter asking Google to reject the U.S. decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America on its mapping service.
Google is not an authority, it’s a publisher. Like any publisher, it can decide which naming standard to follow in its publications.
But why? Does anyone know an instance where local Google Maps version doesn’t follow local naming? Why would Google change it in Mexican version of Maps? Is Mexican president a Lemmy user?
[edit]
Oh no, I just realised Americans think there’s one version of Google maps and that we’re all using theirs. Didn’t think there’d be so many on Lemmy.
Google still puts my map in miles and gives gas prices in gallons… I am in Canada where we use neither.
That sounds like a problem with your phone, not Google. It should absolutely be localized to c/ltr and kmph
Well its been doing this for the last 4 or so phones now. I think its more an issue of it geolocating me to the States sometimes. Its more an annoyance at this point.
Might be worth checking if you have this set to automatic and override if it still gives you trouble. I assume it could pulling your location imprecisely enough (due to border traffic as well) but that’s whole another issue without a good solution.
I change it, but then half the time when it updates I am back in the silly units. I should really look for another map program
Try organic maps! It’s based on open street map data and doesn’t track you.
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Google isn’t the de facto authority, they only have authority over their own maps. That said, mapmakers have always had influence (Amerigo Vespucci and Martin Waldseemüller, anyone?) It won’t change for people outside the US, much like the Sea of Japan shows different names for people accessing Google Maps from Japan or Korea.
Sorry Google. I don’t use any of your services at all, ever. It is the Gulf of Mexico and it will remain the Gulf of Mexico. just like fench fries are not freedom fries, they’re french fries and french toast is not Texas toast, it’s french toast. Google can take a long leap off of a very tall bridge.
I trust that others will maintain proper naming conventions when publishing maps and not buckle under the pressure of a thin skinned toddler and his cult followers.
Ok, but like, you know French toast and Texas toast are two entirely different things, right?
What is Texas toast? Because I’m curious now.
Texas toast is extra thick usually garlic buttered toast. It’s pretty friggin delicious.
Sounds pretty good. Gonna have to try it sometime.
I trust that others will maintain proper naming conventions when publishing maps and not buckle under the pressure of a thin skinned toddler and his cult followers.
Nah, they’ll delay it by a couple months and people will have forgotten
