Upgrade To Google Maps Version 3

Upgrade To Google Maps Version 3

Since its inception, Voyager has been built on top of Version 2 of the Google Maps JavaScript API. Because this version has been deprecated and support will end later this year, all components of Voyager have now been migrated to Google Maps Version 3, “especially designed to be faster and more applicable to mobile devices, as well as traditional desktop browser applications.”

Voyager Screenshot

While many things have changed behind the scenes from a developer’s perspective, we have worked hard to minimize any loss or change in Voyager’s overall functionality. With the following few exceptions and some minor stylistic changes, everything should work the same as before (if a little faster):

  • Places of public interest are now clickable (parks, gardens, hospitals, etc.).
  • The “Terrain” map type is now a clickable option underneath the “Map” button.
  • Options listed underneath the “More…” button have changed: while support has been removed for the Wikipedia and webcam overlays (vote here to add them back!), they have added traffic, public transit, and bicycle paths.

In conjunction with the above, we have also upgraded our underlying jQuery libraries, fixing dynamic page elements such as the overlay opacity sliders that were previously broken in some versions of Internet Explorer. These house-keeping activities, as well as ongoing maintenance and upgrades to our PacIOOS data servers, bring Voyager up to date and ready for more data to climb aboard. With the Google Maps upgrade completed, we can focus again on incorporating additional overlays. As always, we welcome your feedback: please e-mail any bug reports or enhancement requests using the “Contact” tab of this window. Mahalo!

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PacIOOS is the first regional association that was certified as a Regional Information Coordination Entity (RICE) by the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS). Certification provides NOAA and its interagency partners a means to verify that a regional association’s organizational and operational practices, including data management, meet recognized and established standards set by NOAA.