Thread: Google Map -based searching

Google Map -based searching

Hey everyone - this is probably something a few people have been thinking about. Has anyone experimented with any of the following?

We want to offer three things:

1/ A map, that shows regions people can select from either click on or using a drop down menu, and then conduct a category-based search. I believe this can be achieved using a clickable, image-map graphic, and the 'Regions' field drop down field to search by (in combination with the category and search term)

2/ The ad result listings page, with a map showing each listing on the map as a 'flag/pin' with details of the ad. (See Renter's Den | Grandview-Woodland for a nice example).

3/ Searching by category like normal, then offering a radius-based search refinement based on a location entered in by the user.

I believe both 2 and 3 should be doable using the current data (city and state) and using the Google Maps api. 2 should be easy, 3 could be a little more challenging.

Of course if Classipress 3.1 was out, I'd know if I was trying to duplicate upcoming features. Even if they shared the specifics of the new search function!

Thanks for any ideas/suggestions here.
Luke