What's up with Google?

[admin]

For the first time ever, Google seems to be losing its knack for making good decisions. First, the horrible color change on maps that makes them so difficult to use that I'm going back to using paper maps when I travel. And now they've redesigned YouTube in such a disgusting way that it makes you sick. Are they actively trying to drive away customers? And why would they do that? Thanks for any insights.

[matewo]

Hi All,

related to that, please check also "Google pur: Suchergebnisse ohne KI-Text, dafür weniger Werbung" (heise.de), [1]. Unfortunately only in german, but maybe Google translate might help

Best regards, Markus

[1]: https://heise.de/-9729005
https://www.heise.de/ratgeber/Google-pu ... 29005.html

[admin]

Nicht schlecht, danke!

[admin]

And now they've redesigned YouTube in such a disgusting way that it makes you sick.

Ah, they took it back. Thanks, YouTube!

[admin]

And now they've redesigned YouTube in such a disgusting way that it makes you sick.

Ah, they took it back. Thanks, YouTube!

Fuck, it's back to kindergarden mode. :\

[eil]

Big corps always convinced they know better what you like and that you demand smth new, even if you don't and totally like how it already is.

[GreetingsFromPoland]

ha! what is this google you speak of ?

i do my absolute best to avoid/block/etc. any of the alphabet companies, e.g. GAFAM. for browsing i use firefox w/ublock origin plus adguard (desktop) with all social media blocks, annoyances and GAFAM domain in place. i don't use nor will ever use social media. in the rare event i need to watch a YT video, it is automatically routed through yt-dlp.exe and downloaded as an MKV w/SponsorBlock sections removed. i have also never needed a "smart"phone as my flip phone works very well (and is very, very inexpensive). no subscription services or software, no streaming packages, no cable or antenna TV. any store loyalty cards that i have for coupons, etc. are created using fake information and discarded once i obtain the barcode to scan at the store.

i am attempting to transition to a linux main and doing testing on that. for now it is a heavily locked down, feature-removed windows 10 with the TPM head removed so i "fail" the windows 11 upgrade.

this all makes the internet and life in general much more pleasant and enjoyable.

[admin]

haha! to each his own

It's important for me to keep up with the times, like it or not. Gotta stay in touch. YouTube was always a joy, now it's less so and I use it less. Which is also a good thing. There are some books on the shelf waiting to be read.

[admin]

And now they've redesigned YouTube in such a disgusting way that it makes you sick.

Ah, they took it back. Thanks, YouTube!

And they took it back, again!

I'll use this thread to document YouTube's desperate maneuvers in search of ... traffic?

[GreetingsFromPoland]

hi! as i mentioned, i don't use YT directly and route/download all videos through yt-dlp (saved as mkv for offline watching in VLC); however, for those that still use YT directly i have been recommending an option that does work really well - redirect to embed.

this way, all you see if the video with none of the garbage to the top, left, right and bottom of it (similar to fullscreen, without losing access to your other open tabs or windows).

in firefox, you can use the extension Redirector (but any URL rewrite would work). here is an example of the redirect :

Image-002.png (10.63 KiB) Viewed 1256 times

after enabled, any YT video you click will get redirected into an embed. NOTE : if you have it set so your links don't open in a new tab, you'll need to middle-mouse click the link or right-click, open in new tab (the new tab forces the redirect, not when used in an existing tab).

[admin]

Thanks. If they break it again there's an option now. Although a started to like the other option: books.

[mussor]

...as for maps, you might be interested in this czech alternative
https://mapy.cz/zakladni?x=6.9201993&y=50.9494187&z=9

it is available also as smartphone app

[admin]

Impressive. Beats Google.