[Matt Magill]

I may be goofy, but wasn’t there an option to switch the map view to a satellite view before? I’m almost positive there was, and now after the last update I no longer see it in the map window. Is there a toggle choice for it somewhere now?

Thanks–

[Steven Zahm]

@ Matt

Because Google now requires and API key with a valid billing address and payment method many users wanted a free mapping solution. This necessitated switching to a multiple mapping service provider library that I can use to switch mapping providers.

Since Google Maps is no longer natively being used, its controls such as zoom and layer type (road, satellite) do not exist. The controls on the maps being presented by this library and not Google.

All that said, yes, the satellite layer control had existed before the last update. More control over the map provider and layer controls will come in further updates.

Hope this helps!

[Matt Magill]

Steven,

Thanks for the response.

Well I do have a valid API key with a payment method on file with Google for just this purpose. Is this change universal for all of your users or can I as a single user be placed back on the Google Maps provider?

Or is that what you intend for the further update?

Matt

[Steven Zahm]

@ Matt

RE: Is this change universal for all of your users or can I as a single user be placed back on the Google Maps provider?

The change is universal to all users.

You are using the Google Maps provider, if you were not, you would see maps being provided by Wikimedia and not Google. It defaults to displaying maps from Wikimedia, unless, the Google Map API keys have been setup.

The library that I am building on top of is providing the ability to utilize multiple map providers. It uses its own map controls and not the “native” controls of the provider. I have not as of yet added the ability to switch map layers (road, satellite, etc. ).

New features have already been added. If an entry has more than one address, all address will now have markers and the map zoom will auto adjust to display all markers. The markers now have a popup which displays the address. And the maps now “lazy load” (load on demand) which allows the page to load quicker.

This is a more flexible, by far, solution… control over the map provider and layer controls as other map related features will come in future updates.

I do understand that the satellite layer control is an important feature for you and I do apologize for it absence and any trouble this may cause you.

[Matt Magill]

Well it sounds like the end result will be a nice enhancement, so I don’t think it will be a problem hanging on for the new changes awhile. I may very be the only person that ever used the extra views…who knows!

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