Google Maps removes one of its most popular features after users abuse it: HumSub.TV
Google Maps removes one of its most popular features after users abuse it: HumSub.TV: Where would we be without Google Maps? Lost, mainly, but also deprived of an invaluable tool for interacting with the world around us.
The app allows users to plan travel routes, see satellite images, take virtual walks along streets and look up business details.
But now one of its most useful functions – Google Map Maker – is being ditched after users had too much fun with it.
The feature allows users to make suggestions for edits or modifications to the map database.
This led to people mapping out routes in rude shapes and rechristening roads with equally crude names – a fate that once befell Cambridge’s King’s Lane in February 2014.
Running between King’s Parade and Queens Lane, the road was renamed ‘Piss Alley’ on Google Maps website, in a nod to its reputation as a secluded location for drinkers to relieve themselves on a night out.
Introduced in 2008, the Map Maker function ensured that users could help keep Google Maps up to date with their local knowledge.
However, the open edit function meant that it got abused meaning all suggestions had to be moderated.
Given the sheer volume of suggestions, the task of moderating each one was enormous and proved to be too large.
Google itself is not adverse to seeing the humorous dimension of its hugely popular map programme.
The company is known for occasionally introducing hidden elements, or ‘Easter Eggs’, to its products – for example in 2014 it allowed users to calculate how long it would take to get around Cambridge in a punt.
In September 2016, its street view function, which blurs pedestrians’ faces and car number plates, inexplicably obscured the face of a cow near the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel and Scudamore’s Mill Lane punting station.
The company said at the time: “We thought you were pulling the udder one when we herd the moos, but it appears that our automatic face-blurring technology has been a little overzealous.
“Of course, we don’t begrudge this cow milking its five minutes of fame.”
Explaining its recent decision to remove the Map Maker function, Google said: “Since 2008, the Google Map Make community has edited and moderated millions of features to improve the Google Maps experience.
“To make it easier for all Google Maps users to contribute changes to the map, we’ve started to graduate functionality from Map Maker to Google Maps on both desktop and mobile.
“We’ll continue to add new editing features within Google Maps on an ongoing basis.
“To keep contributing your local knowledge to Google Maps and engage with a passionate community of like-minded individuals, we invite you to join the Local Guides program.”
Google Maps removes one of its most popular features after users abuse it: HumSub.TV. Google Maps removes one of its most popular features after users abuse it: HumSub.TV. Google Maps removes one of its most popular features after users abuse it: HumSub.TV.
About HumSub TV
Introduction
HumSub TV is Pakistan’s leading forwarding-thinking, edutainment channel, aimed at promoting and upholding peace, interfaith harmony and social responsibility within Pakistan through informative and insightful programmes and documentaries; analytical interviews on issues pertaining to social, economic, legal and environmental set-up; dedicated shows to canvass and thereby promote the culture and heritage of Pakistan and in-depth coverage of national and international news.
HumSub TV is the first channel and thus a pioneer within its own right that mainly focuses on emphasising the “Rights” as well as the “Obligations” of the citizens in light of the Constitution of Pakistan, numerous International declarations signed by the Government and various laws that have been promulgated over the years but are not in the knowledge of the common citizen.
HumSub TV also aims to enter into bilateral agreements with other countries to promote not only their culture, heritage and tourism, but also their educational and medical facilities.
Following the successful launch of HumSub TV’s head office in Blue Area, Islamabad; the bureau office has been set up in Lahore.
Vision
To project positive image building of Pakistan and inculcate nationalism, as per the vision of the founder of the nation, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
Mission
HumSub TV is resolute about the promotion of a pluralistic, inclusive and egalitarian society in Pakistan where all citizens are allowed to contribute to promote interfaith harmony, peace and collective wisdom in the social, political and economic development of Pakistan and to encourage critical and lateral thinking in the society. HumSub TV strives to make a positive contribution to this end.
HumSub TV’s Theme
HumSub TV, Pakistan’s first EDUTAINMENT Channel, has been set up for not only those audience residing in Pakistan or overseas but the international community on the whole. The vision of the channel is to project positive image building of Pakistan and inculcate nationalism as per the vision of the founder of the nation.
HumSub TV strives to make a positive contribution to this end by promoting pluralism, inclusiveness and egality in Pakistan and give voice to the suppressed. It endeavors to act as a positive catalyst for social change and Pakistani nationalism. It envisions providing a platform for airing critical and lateral thinking and collective wisdom by inviting positive minded intellectuals and opinion forming individuals for the promotion of interfaith harmony and peace in the social, political and economic development of Pakistan.
Whereas the channel airs upbeat edutainment programmes, it, nonetheless, has the primary objective of countering negative anti-Pakistan regional and international propaganda as well as advancing fundamental rights as encapsulated in the Constitution of Pakistan.
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