Last year when Google killed off their Classic Maps program and replaced it with a much less user-friendly option missing a bunch of key features, many of us were thrilled to discover Classy GMaps. This excellent program created by mapping enthusiast Barry Hunter used the Classic Maps API to provide many of the most popular features, like split-screen Street View, that had been removed from Google’s new version.
Then, a couple of weeks ago, readers alerted me to the fact that the page had been replaced with a notice that Barry had to remove the maps because of a notice from Google re. violation of their terms of service. We were all very sad to see this news. But then a few days ago, readers alerted me that the maps were back online again. Huzzah!
I reached out to Barry to find out what the situation is, i.e. is this a temporary solution that will go away again in the near future. He got back to me to let me know that to adhere to the terms of service, he did have to remove some features, like Directions and Business Search, so that his product isn’t considered a “replacement” for Google Maps. Fortunately, it does still have the splitscreen Street View option as well as other features that are still missing from the new Google Maps. (I also noticed the name Classy GMaps is now missing; I’m guessing that was part of the issue as well.)
Check out Barry’s new site here. >>
Download and Run the Maps from Your Own Computer
IMPORTANT: The following information is not being shared or endorsed by Barry and if you use it, you could be violating Google’s terms of service. Also, if enough people do it, Google may find a way to turn off the functionality altogether, so be forewarned.
Some readers have also alerted me to the fact that there’s still an old version of the Classy GMap code on github and if you save it to your computer, you can actually run the maps yourself—a good option in case something happens to Barry’s site again. To use this option, right-click on this link and save the file to your hard drive (don’t just click on it or you’ll see the raw code). Then find it on your computer and double-click it to launch the map in your browser. This version still has the Directions and other features Barry had to remove from his own site.
Note: Thanks to reader George for alerting me that you may need to change the extension from .html to .htm in some circumstances.
A Note about Google Maps
In case you haven’t been back to Google Maps since the change, they have added back two features that they had removed from the Classic Maps. The first is that you can now collapse the big information block on the left that was covering up so much of the actual map (click the arrow at the top right to collapse it). The second is that you can get the zoom slider back by holding your mouse over the zoom buttons for a second and a popup will appear that lets you show the slider again. UPDATE, 09/13/16: They’ve also added back the split-screen Street View. Woo-hoo!
I’d like to think that the noise we made last year played some part in bringing back these features and I hope there will be more fixes to come.
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Google Maps Brings Back Split-Screen Street View
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Comments
What is the oldest Mac OS X version and the oldest Firefox version that ClassyGmaps will run on? … if not with complete functionality, how much can be expected for, for instance, a Mac OS X 10.3.9 on a PowerPC “iMac” with Firefox 2.0.0.20?
Hi O.
I’m sorry for the delay in replying. I don’t know for sure, but I would expect it to support the same tech specs as Google Maps itself. If anyone reading this reply knows differently, please let us know!
– Elizabeth
Great saved the day for me. Love the UK road colour option as I have reported the need for this to Google forums for ages and never seen anything positive back. So useful if using Google Maps as a car sat nav on a phone.
Glad it’s working out for you, Andy. He really did a great job on this site… It’s been a real lifesaver for a lot of people! – Elizabeth
My post seems to have been lost (as have all previous posts for this page). In it, I explained how to tweak the saved file that Elizabeth explained above in order to make the map open directly at your home or work location, and also how to choose the scale you wish.
First, you drag the icon of the saved file to your browser’s favorites or bookmarks (this works with Firefox but I haven’t yet tested it with other browsers). This creates a shortcut to your previously saved file. Then you right-click the icon you have just created in your browser and select properties. Go to “Location”. Go to the end of the line. Here you can add your home or office location and your preferred scale.
For me, this is “#ll=50.612209,3.391192&z=16&t=r” (without the inverted commas).
∙ The location is represented by the two decimal numbers separated by a comma. You will find this on the top right-hand side of the ClassyGMaps window when you move your cursor to your home or office location.
∙ The scale is represented by the “&z=16”. A larger number gives a larger scale. A smaller number gives a smaller scale
∙ I don’t know what the “&t=r” represents.
Hope this is helpful.