Google maps not loading properly on CLOG pages

[bekateen]

Hi Jools,

I was just looking at the occurrence maps for a few species and I'm getting an error saying that the maps are not displaying properly.

I tested this on 2 or 3 spp. of Dekeyseria and again on some other plecos. Here's an example (pic).

Cheers, Eric

[Jools]

Meh. Well, thankfully I had some time at the computer tonight. Good news, it's now all fixed. Bad news, I have to pay google for using maps at scale. They give me $200 worth of free usage a month and if we go past that, I pay.

So, some programming, security config (stop other sites using my keys / $) and a credit card registration with google later we have lift off.

Cheers,

Jools
PS This has also made me change a thing I've been meaning to change for years which is to make the maps automatically appear. Ironically, this might be backed out if I start getting a new monthly bill!

[bekateen]

Hi Jools,

Google Maps is doing this thing again, saying it's "for development purposes only" and shadowed out. Seems like we hit our monthly quota.

Cheers, Eric

[jeremybasch]

I also experienced this same issue. I have been doing some research planning for next year's trip to Colombia when I noticed this.

[Jools]

Yeah, it's maxed out the quota. I'm looking into it.

Jools

[Jools]

We will have to figure out how this works. I think google "gives" me $200 per month in credit. Maps cost $7.00 USD per 1000, we use about 5000 a day...

So, I might need to go back to the old click to see the map design. Unless I can figure out how to cache maps or similar.

Boo.

Jools

[Jools]

OK, so what I've done is make it only show the map if you're logged in. This will reduce usage and I'll catch the £12/day until the end of the month to see how usage pans out.

Jools

[bekateen]

OK, so what I've done is make it only show the map if you're logged in. This will reduce usage and I'll catch the £12/day until the end of the month to see how usage pans out.

Thanks Jools.

For what it's worth, personally, I never minded clicking the button to expand the map. One positive effect was that the hidden map kept the screen size in control (reduced) for me when viewing on my phone (which I do a lot). I like it either way, but if it's so costly, I wouldn't be hurt if you reset the map to be revealed by clicking on icon as it was for years.

That's my 2 cents anyway - I'll take it as is or as was. But 2 cents doesn't go very far towards £12 so of course, please do as you see fit.

Cheers, Eric

[Jools]

Ha, very good! So, what's in my mind is that when I re-design the page to be more responsive (work better on small screens like phones) then the map will be a click to view. 50% of site traffic is from such screens. That's quite low generally, but Planet has atypical users.

Seems to have reduced usage to within what google provides for free, so looks good so far...

Cheers,

Jools