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How do I repair Map Bookmarks?

← Admin FAQ
Map Bookmarks are created and posted by SeaSketch users within project discussion forums. They can also be created and used to link to a map from another website, or when printing a map. When a user creates a Map Bookmark it stores the current map zoom level and location, and a list of all the layers that are visible. When another user visits the forum and views a message containing a Map Bookmark, they can see the map exactly as it was when the author posted it.

Map Bookmarks can be broken. They refer to specific layers in the table of contents for your project, and if those layers are removed then there is no way for SeaSketch to display the map as it was when those layers existed. Users will see a message in the lower left corner of the screen indicating when a bookmark refers to missing layers.

https://googledrive.com/host/0B502hedmM5ZiUjNycF8zLXZtWUk/

Avoid Breaking Existing Map Bookmarks


It's important to avoid breaking Map Bookmarks where possible. Map Bookmarks contain important context that may be needed to understand how a decision was made in the future, but if a long time has passed it may not be possible to remember or find missing data layers that were referenced. Follow the following tips to avoid creating a situation where bookmarks need to be repaired.
  • SeaSketch warns administrators when deleting an item in the data layer table of contents when Map Bookmarks reference it. Please heed these warnings
  • If a table of contents item refers to a data service that is out of date, or the location of a map service changes, don't delete that item. Rather, open the item's edit window and use the data source tools to pick a new data source. Existing Map Bookmarks will refer to the updated data.
  • If an item referenced by Map Bookmarks should no longer be in the table of contents, consider moving that item into a new folder set aside for just for retired layers so that users can refer to them in the future.

Fixing Broken Bookmarks


By heeding the warnings displayed by SeaSketch it should be possible in most cases to avoid breaking Map Bookmarks. Fortunately though if a mistake is made, these bookmarks can be repaired. Broken bookmarks are indicated by a prompt in the administrative tools under the data tab.

https://googledrive.com/host/0B502hedmM5ZiT05EVTE0U3RIMzg/

After clicking the link, a prompt will appear describing the state of each broken layer reference found within these bookmarks.

https://googledrive.com/host/0B502hedmM5Zidm4wdzhWVmVSNnc/

Options for Repairing Layer References


Once broken layer references are identified, you have several options for how to manage them.
  • If a layer exists in the table of contents but is down (offline),  use the data source tools to pick a new data source from within that table of contents editing interface.
  • If a layer is missing from the table of contents entirely, add a new data layer to the table of contents then edit open the edit window for that item. The editing interface can be used to link broken layer references within bookmarks to a table of contents item.
  • If a layer in the table of contents can be used as a replacement for a broken bookmarked layer, use the table of contents editing tool to associate that new layer with the old references.
  • If a missing layer cannot or should not be repaired, use the mark permanently unavailable button next to the layer in the Broken Map Bookmarks listing. Administrators will no longer see a warning, and users will no longer see an error message. If a user views the details of the Map Bookmark, the layer list will still include the missing layer but it will be marked as retired.
After associating broken Map Bookmark layer references with new items in the table of contents, be sure to publish the updated table of contents to  end users. The message alerting the administrator to broken bookmarks will not go away until end users have all the changes needed to display bookmarks.

Using the Edit Modal to Associate Table of Contents Items with Broken Layers


After adding back into the table of contents any existing layers, these items can be used to repair broken bookmark layers by following these steps.

1) Open the edit modal for the layer in question (you must use an item that refers to a data source, not a folder)

https://googledrive.com/host/0B502hedmM5ZiUWEwbUtEVExMSTA/

2) Scroll to the Map Bookmarks section and choose the broken layers that should now refer to this table of contents item.

https://googledrive.com/host/0B502hedmM5ZiMU9jOEphc3VTRXM/

3) After selecting all the appropriate layers, click assign these layers.

https://googledrive.com/host/0B502hedmM5ZiZ1J6Y0JGMV9yU28/

4) Be sure to publish any changes to the table of contents and the broken bookmark indicator should update or be hidden.


To view a video on repairing map bookmarks, go here. 

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