Map Broken?

[Joseph Cermak]

Is the google maps location pin feature not working for anyone else? I went to mark a location this morning and it shows the map with a "for development purposes" overlay and will not search locations or give a pin. Wasn't sure if this was just on my end or something on the site.

[TedG]

I just had a problem myself, although it said "could not load the page correctly". The workaround seemed to be to just type in the coordinates (in decimal format) in the box, even without having the pindrop.
/Ted

[bigbassloyd]

I guess after 4 months I could upload something and see if it works for me. I'll try it out tonight.

Loyd L.

[Mberry]

Exact same problem for me this morning.

[KevinM]

Yes, it is broken....Tango Uniform.

Got an odd message last night when I tried to pin the location of my latest submission. I tried it again this AM. Still not working.

[Joseph Cermak]

Well I guess that's better than it just being me....hopefully admin see this and can repair.

[Mberry]

Originally Posted by TedG

I just had a problem myself, although it said "could not load the page correctly". The workaround seemed to be to just type in the coordinates (in decimal format) in the box, even without having the pindrop.
/Ted

This worked for me, thanks.

[KevinM]

Originally Posted by TedG

I just had a problem myself, although it said "could not load the page correctly". The workaround seemed to be to just type in the coordinates (in decimal format) in the box, even without having the pindrop.
/Ted

I've never been a fan of the degrees and decimal degrees format, especially using negative numbers for west longitude. Perhaps it is popular now because Google Maps uses it. Otherwise, it would just be a major PITA. None of the GPS systems that I use in aircraft or vehicles use that format. It took me a couple of shots to get the format correct, but it does work. Obviously, it would be better to understand why the original process broke and see if it can be fixed. A lot of people don't geo-tag their photos here and I suspect the current situation won't increase the numbers.

Stuff like this is irritating. It's similar to when Microsoft suddenly downloads some "new and improved" version of Windows......and nothing looks like it used to. My approach to life is: If it works, don't mess with it!

[Flowing]

I just put up my first shot in months and also found the map feature not working. I tried entering the decimal coordinates, which were accepted, but the location pin isn't showing up - it just shows a zoomed out world view. As a geographer by trade, and hobby, I always have really enjoyed any photo-related map feature. The map service Flickr uses is much less accurate and user friendly than Google.

What is going on with map location? It is completely broken now. I can't add any location to my pictures.

[TedG]

Originally Posted by J-M Frybourg

What is going on with map location? It is completely broken now. I can't add any location to my pictures.

Even worse, take a look at your profile page--a blank map box, where you've gone to the effort to mark locations in the past. (Which is kind of weird, since my profile page shows a map and pins, but with a popup that says "This page can't load Google Maps correctly".)

Almost two weeks now and no fix! I even emailed ADMIN directly, in case no one happened across this thread.
/Ted

[Mgoldman]

And yet... the map feature still works, apparently, for some:

PhotoID: 755756 Photograph © Greg Grice

No luck on my end - and here I went to all the trouble to document both Monmouth Junction, NJ and Gap, PA - the midpoint of two of the longest stretches of track between stations (and consequently, photos) on their respective Corridors, lol.

Hope admin takes some time to look into this....

/Mitch

[Joseph Cermak]

Originally Posted by Mgoldman

And yet... the map feature still works, apparently, for some:

/Mitch

Interesting to see he got it to work....wonder if there is a work around that's possible. Either way, it should not be a hard fix for admin, I believe the Google Map plugin just needs to be updated or something of the sort, but they appear to not have acknowledged the issue yet.

[bigbassloyd]

Maybe the map option is now a special perk to being elite?

Loyd L.

[Joseph Cermak]

Originally Posted by bigbassloyd

Maybe the map option is now a special perk to being elite?

Loyd L.

Don't believe so....if it was it should still work for me...

[Mberry]

Originally Posted by Joseph Cermak

Interesting to see he got it to work....wonder if there is a work around that's possible. Either way, it should not be a hard fix for admin, I believe the Google Map plugin just needs to be updated or something of the sort, but they appear to not have acknowledged the issue yet.

You must have missed TedG's post further up, which has a workaround which I've been using. Just get the coordinates from Google Maps, plug them in at the bottom and you're good.

PhotoID: 756032 Photograph © Michael Berry

[And it's been so long, I've forgotten how to get a direct link working here!]

[RobJor]

Originally Posted by Mberry

You must have missed TedG's post further up, which has a workaround which I've been using. Just get the coordinates from Google Maps, plug them in at the bottom and you're good.

https://www.railpictures.net/photo/756032/

[And it's been so long, I've forgotten how to get a direct link working here!]

If you forget, just quote a post that has a direct link and you can see the format.

Bob

[Mberry]

Originally Posted by RobJor

If you forget, just quote a post that has a direct link and you can see the format.

Bob

That worked, thanks!

[TedG]

Yep, the workaround I posted on 11/10/20 will handle the immediate need when you're submitting a photo. However, it doesn't do anything for the state of the User Photo Map on your personal profile page, which remains in shambles.
/Ted

[KevinM]

Originally Posted by TedG

Yep, the workaround I posted on 11/10/20 will handle the immediate need when you're submitting a photo. However, it doesn't do anything for the state of the User Photo Map on your personal profile page, which remains in shambles.
/Ted

Interestingly enough, if you go to your profile page, scroll to the map and let it sit for a while, the pins do come up and you can click on them and see the photos. The map still has "For Development Purposes Only" plastered all over it, but it does work.....sort of .

Yeah, unfortunately, the site does need a little attention. I'm thinking that Google Maps made some sort of change and that has resulted in a need to overhaul the site code to properly shake hands with it. I suspect that Admin probably looked at it and realized it wasn't going to be a 10 minute fix, so it's on the to-do list. These folks have day-jobs that command their priorities, just like many of us.

[TedG]

Originally Posted by KevinM

Interestingly enough, if you go to your profile page, scroll to the map and let it sit for a while, the pins do come up and you can click on them and see the photos. The map still has "For Development Purposes Only" plastered all over it, but it does work.....sort of .

Yeah, unfortunately, the site does need a little attention. I'm thinking that Google Maps made some sort of change and that has resulted in a need to overhaul the site code to properly shake hands with it. I suspect that Admin probably looked at it and realized it wasn't going to be a 10 minute fix, so it's on the to-do list. These folks have day-jobs that command their priorities, just like many of us.

Kevin,
I would concur with your forensic analysis of the situation. Getting the two to "shake hands" is a good way to put it.

I can't help but wonder though--if the system for automatic billing for elite membership renewal went down--would that system get repaired on a more timely basis? I suspect the answer is "yes".
/Ted

[Chris Kilroy]

Hi,


Thank you for bringing the map issue to our attention. On the programming side, RP is basically a one man show, and some of you who know me personally know that I make my primary living in online retail. As you can imagine, I don't have time to focus on much else this time of year. The holiday rush will calm down around New Year after everyone has spent their Amazon and eBay gift cards and I should then have time to try to figure out what in the world Google has done to break the maps feature.


Thanks for your patience, and Happy Holidays!

[TedG]

Thanks, Chris. At least now we know you're aware of the problem. So I, for one, will stop whining. At least until the second week of January.
/Ted

[Joseph Cermak]

Originally Posted by Chris Kilroy

Hi,


Thank you for bringing the map issue to our attention. On the programming side, RP is basically a one man show, and some of you who know me personally know that I make my primary living in online retail. As you can imagine, I don't have time to focus on much else this time of year. The holiday rush will calm down around New Year after everyone has spent their Amazon and eBay gift cards and I should then have time to try to figure out what in the world Google has done to break the maps feature.


Thanks for your patience, and Happy Holidays!

Thanks for the reply, look forward to the eventual fix after the holidays!

[Mberry]

Now all mapping info is completely gone.... hopefully a temporary thing.