2.0 and 3.0 difference & Expanded Search?

[brandx]

I just installed 2.0 and have two questions

1. What are the differences between 2.0 and 3.0 (i.e. why would i upgrade and pay for 3.x version?)

2. Has someone developed or can some one develop and mod that can expand the search function so that a person can select from a drop down list the state and incorporate the city search into the existing free text search area.

I imagine this would involved adding two tables to the DB, state and city and and adding two fields to the listing table for the state and city id.

I'd rather not split the yahoo style directory layout by state or city as i think it gets messy and bulky.... this sounds like a good solution to me... any other suggestions?

Geary

[anon]

do you have all of your cities defined already?

yea, it can be made.

would take some modifications as the new search in 3.04 is more robust.

Rob

[brandx]

I plan on purchasing the latest version.

how much would it cost me to do that?

That question is open to anyone with the required PHP knowledge.

So.. the requirements would be..

1. The free text field would also search the "city" field.
2. There would be a drop down list populated with states that are defined in the backend (i.e. they have their own table)

So.... if a person clicked on say.... the "Flower Shop" category.... and there were over 200 flower shops listed.... they could either type in their city.... or select their state from the drop down list.. and filter the results.

3. They would also need to have the ability to enter their city and state during the submission.


Cheers,
Geary

[imranbaig]

This required a little change to the db, adding few more fields to it,.. If you want to have a professional do it for you, I recoment Anon...

[anon]

1. would the 'free text field' be searching for 'key word + 'city' by default? OR 'category' + city by default?
2. no problem.
2a. so the state would only apply and should appear 'after' the initial 'key word + 'city' search, right?

3. what if the listings do not provide a city and state in the title or description?
3. there would be nothing to filter
3b. that would mean that the submission form would also need modification as well, to accomodate your request.

it's a lot of work. coding, modifying and testing.

Rob

[brandx]

1. keyword, city and category .... all together

2a. No, they would be able to filter by state only if the wanted.

3. Good point... in some categories a state and city will not be necesary. What are some option? Make it mandatory during signup or Leave it as is, but in the state drop down box the default select is "All States" or something. If a person is searching for "Web Design Tips" and fiters by State they should probably head over the the "I need a physiatrist" category ;)

3a, that's correct

-------------------------
The problem is.... around half the the directory is location dependent and the other half isn't. For example... a Flower Shop as apposed to a Flower Blog. One you need to know where it is, the other you don't.

I'm open to suggestions anyone might have.

Geary

[anon]

1. - gotcha. clear now

2a. - it's like i said, by state would *only apply and be seen as a filter after the initial search(cat,city,key word) to minimize and pinpoint even further*

3. - see my 3b for answer.


Rob


(im currently working on my fsbo site, and another side job, so my response time may be delayed)

[brandx]

and the cost to do something like this?

[anon]

Well i'm glad we got this out of the way. :lol:

Rob

[David]

We get a lot of requests daily, and it is not possible to follow every one of them. Money does help. :)
anon or I can help give you an estimate if you like.

[anon]

I gave him an hourly rate.