Posted by Pupkin on 11/30/06 19:37

In article <Mn0bh.13$Xw2.3@newsfe06.lga>, no.one@example.com says...
>
> "Pupkin" <spamagnet@dorrk.com> wrote in message
> news:MPG.1fd6204510852de598978a@news.giganews.com...
> | Hey,
> |
> | Anyone know of a good PHP-based store/dealer locator app that can handle
> | international locations?
> |
> | We have a hand-built app from a previous programmer, but the thing is
> | always breaking (Javascript errors, stores not showing up inside their
> | own zip code).
> |
> | We'd like the user to be able to type in an address or zip code and be
> | shown a list of dealers within a certain radius. Integration with Google
> | maps would be ideal.
> |
> | I've found a few on Hotscripts, but most are US-centric. If anyone knows
> | of a tried and trusted app, links are welcome!
>
>
> don't know of any off hand.
>
> it shouldn't be that hard to do at all. all you need to do is have the user
> supply an address that you feed to google maps. using their object model,
> get the long/lat of that address. your store table would just need to have a
> column for long/lat. all you'd need to do from that point is query your
> stores where the top n stores are nearest the long/lat of the user supplied
> address. that shouldn't take more than about 10 lines of javascript code to
> return the long/lat of the user's address and about as many for the php code
> to query the stores. getting directions from google maps is a snap
> too...and, there are PLENTY of examples for getting directions from google
> maps (have a look at their api docs.). you can even implement getting
> directions from the original map that shows all n nearby stores, i.e. the
> user clicks one of the plot points representing a store.
>
> hth,
>
> me



You make it sound so easy. If only the original programmer could've
figured that out. His code is spread out in so many different functions
and includes, that piecing it back together to find the errors is a
nightmare.

He's already got the lon/lat in the database, and a script to fetch it
for new stores. I just need to get the front end in working order.

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