Strange error box re Maps API from "Contact Us" page
When I clicked on the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of the page, a strange-looking box (long and skinny white rectangle with small type) popped up just as the Contact Us page was loading. This is what is said:
"Google has disabled use of the Maps API for this application. The provided key is not a valid Google API Key, or it is not authorized for the Google Maps Javascript API v2 on this site. If you are the owner of this application, you can learn about obtaining a valid key here: http://code.google.com/apis/maps/documentation/javascript/v2/introduction.html#Obtaining_Key"
I understand this is an issue to take up with Google, however when I went to the URL provided in the error message I landed on some Help page for web developers. I am nothing close to web developer (!). I have no idea what "Maps API" means, or what an "API Key" is. And what does the first sentence mean, where it talks about about "this application"? What application? How or why would I be considered the "owner" of an application? I don't know where to turn about this ... thank you in advance for any direction, insights, feedback, etc.
Vsi odgovori (4)
hello, this message is directed to the operator of the website (=application) on which the embedded google maps are running. as an end-user you don't have to care about it, though you could contact the website in question and report the issue, so that they can sort it out with google...
Hi, thank you so much for your quick reply! I feel relieved but still a bit confused ... would the "website in question" be Firefox? (since the box popped up while the Firefox Contact Us page was loading)? And, I'm wondering why the error message popped up on my computer if it wasn't directed to me. Thanks again for your help ... I'm not tech savvy at all when it comes to issues beyond the everyday stuff!
ok, if it was on mozilla's own https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/about/contact.html site on the part of the page where the office locations are displayed in an embedded google map, then it's probably something that isn't supposed to happen (personally i cannot reproduce it)...
personally i'd just take it as a one-time-glitch and don't follow up on it (as i've said the message was in no way directed at you) - thanks for bringing it up though!
if you're bothered by it you could try some steps at Websites look wrong or appear differently than they should. in case the page is still not properly working afterwards, i could try to find an appropriate place at mozilla's website operations where this can be reported to...
Thanks so much, Phillip! I feel much better now. I'll take your suggestion and not worry about it for now ... but if anything similar happens again I'll refer back to this thread and click on the "Websites look wrong" link you provided.
In the meantime, if you think it would be a good idea for me to report this to Mozilla's website operations I'd appreciate your help finding the right contact information ... Or, if it's easier for you to report it on your end, that's fine too.
Thanks again for your help with this! - Maureen