Latest Contributions by OwenGeo

Bonnie, Ah, ok -- you could simulate that by embedding a map using the simple embed app URL that's shown when you share a web map (rather than browsing and picking a map as you normally would). Just replace the webmapID in the URL with the ID of your web map and in your Map Journal section configuration make sure the "Unload this content when the reader navigates away" option is ON. Whenever someone goes to another section and then back to that section that app will reload and give you the original extent. https://www.arcgis.com/apps/Embed/index.html?webmap=272b375db27d494e9decb5f75fe5db81&disable_scroll=true  You can allow someone to change the basemap by using one of the other configurable app templates (like Basic Viewer or Web AppBuilder) to create an app that has a basemap picker and then embedding that app in your story map. Just make sure to 1) use an https link when for the app when you paste the URL into your Map Journal, and 2) share the app and the map and layers in it the same as your story map. If you don't people may not be able to see all of your story. Also, be sure that your audience will truly appreciate being able to change the basemap on their own and won't be confused by the options. Often if you are creating a story for a general audience it can be better to simply create a main stage action that switches the basemap for them in the context of the story rather than require them to figure out how/where the basemap switcher works/is. Owen ... View more

Hi Susan, Thanks for your question about Cascade. In most cases I would not recommend embedding a full website like an Open Data site in a Cascade story. Often this can create an awkward experience for readers. Since Cascade is a scrolling format it can be difficult for readers to figure out how to interact with both a scrolling story and a scrolling website. Additionally, there can be web security issues that do not permit content to be displayed in some situations, as you've encountered. The best practice would be to talk about the website and why it's important to your audience in your story and include a hyperlink to the website so it opens in another browser tab. You can also include a screenshot of the website or part of the website, if you think it looks good in your story. That way your readers get a good experience inside your story map and they can use the Open Data site as it was meant to be used, in a full browser window. Web content that works best embedded live in a story map are simple elements like an interactive chart or dashboard, a video, or basic web mapping application. We've got a blog with more information and tips about embedding websites in story maps here that you may find useful: Embedding apps and websites in Story Maps | ArcGIS Blog  Owen ... View more

Hi Ann, If you download and host the application code for one of the story map apps that app still needs to point to either ArcGIS Online or an instance of Portal for ArcGIS to load the story configuration as well as any maps, scenes, or uploaded images that appear in the story. You can run the builder from your own server to edit the story configuration stored on ArcGIS Online. The GitHub repository Saroj pointed to has all the information on how to deploy and configure the Map Series app. Let me know if you still have additional questions. Owen ... View more

Micaella, I checked with a colleague and there is an enforced limit of 101 sections in a Map Journal. However, when creating a very long story map like the one you are planning be sure to monitor the performance of the story. If your side panel sections are mostly text-based with a few images here and there then I wouldn't anticipate any issues, but if you have many images and videos per section in the side panel you may start to see performance issues. If you run into this situation you can try breaking your story up into several Map Journals and link to the next story from the last section of the previous one. Also, from a practical point of view, be sure that a 75-section story is something your intended audience will be interested in reading! 😉 You might consider publishing a simpler/summary version of your story for a general audience in addition to the full version for a specific target audience. Owen ... View more

Hi Amy, Sorry you are having that issue with your story map. In this situation, I'd recommend making a single web map with all the layers you want to show in your story as opposed to using a different map for each section. See this article for how to do this and some reasons why this will likely provide a better experience for your readers: ArcWatch | Less Can Be More  Let me know if you have any questions. Owen ... View more

Adam, Unfortunately, we don't support that style of text entry at the moment. Could you provide a bit more information about how you'd use text formatted in that way in your story so I can understand your use case and requirements? You also may want to submit your idea to ArcGIS Ideas so that others can upvote it if they would find it useful. You could try using the H1 or H2 heading formats in situations where you only have a few words on each line. There will still be spaces between the lines, but it may look better with the larger text size. Owen ... View more

Hi William, We've got two blogs on the mechanics of collaborating on Story Maps. The information in these blogs applies to all types of story maps as well as other configurable apps like Basic Viewer, etc. Enable colleagues to update your maps and apps | ArcGIS Blog  More ways to collaborate on maps and apps | ArcGIS Blog  You might also find this blog that describes the people/skills that make a good story maps production team a useful resource. Assembling a Story Maps Production Team | ArcGIS Blog  As for your second question, an administrator in your organization can transfer stories from one member to another, so just ask an admin to transfer the story map item to someone else. While it's not necessary for the story to work, you also may want to consider transferring any maps and layers that are used in the story to the other member's account as well so that all the story materials are kept together. Owen ... View more

Bruce, Sorry you were affected by this situation, but we had to remove support for Facebook from story maps in Sept 2016 due to technical reasons. The change did affect existing stories, and you can see a bit of additional information on our FAQ here. Keep in mind that if you host photos on your own website it's best if you optimize the images for web display and create a thumbnail image. We've also got some information about managing images for Map Tours on our FAQ here. Owen ... View more

Hi Elsa, Sorry you are having an issue with your Cascade story. It looks like you have a KML layer in that map that is not shared publicly. Can you try sharing that and then checking again? Owen ... View more