Map Tour Side Panel layout is buggy?

Question

I really like the new side panel map tour and I'm so disappointed to find out how buggy it is!

After I created my initial map tour using the new side panel format, I am having all sorts of issues going back and making what should be minor edits. I did not have a file to upload, or content in Flickr, so I uploaded the photos one at a time and keyed in the title and caption.  It was fine the first time around.  However, as I've had to go back and make changes, those changes do not stick!  Both the name and the caption may migrate to an adjacent photo.  One case it randomly copied it to two others!  Each minor change is causing me to have to copy and paste all the content for most of my photos and they all shift around!  This was supposed to be easy, and I've spent hours fixing work I've already done more than once.

I am using HTML format for my descriptions if that makes any difference.  I am very frustrated.  I have done the same story map many times now.

TracySchloss · Answer

Yes, guided tours in particular.  The lack of having an option for our own web map is what led me to using a classic story map in the first place for our map tour.  I assumed you would be adding that in at some point.  I look forward to the time I don't have to pop back and forth between old and new.  It gets pretty complicated to manage content when you have to keep track of how each is going to behave.

oevans_storymaps · Answer

Tracy -- Are you referring specifically to a guided tour? You can already add any web map or web scene you like to a story map. There are, however, currently limited options for basemaps specifically for guided tours and express maps.

In a few weeks we'll be expanding these basemap options, and later this summer we plan to add the ability for you to use any web map in these situations. Stay tuned!

One of Esri's link redirect services is having a temporary issue, so that's why the feedback link on the GeoNet page is not working. The feedback link in the story builder header is always available as well and works via email.

TracySchloss · Answer

One of the main "deal breakers" for us, is the need to have the option to use our own web map in a story. That was pretty common for the classic map, but it's been hit or miss for the newer ones.   It's not that we aren't using the Esri base maps, but time after time we get asked to focus the map just to our state.  Either we need to add a heavier outline, or a mask to filter as an overlay onto the Esri gray canvas.  This gives just enough contrast that we stand out a bit from our neighbors.

We tend to not use the newer templates when we can't substitute our own web map.  I was going to put this as feedback, but then your feedback link was broken!