Thread

I have a brief for a new site where they want to have a member directory.  That’s fine, but they want their site visitors to be able to search for the nearest member.  Is Geocoding what I need to make that happen? Does EE have a plugin/module for such a search?

Yes, I am an EE n00b 😊

thanks,

Nick

Hi Nick -

We have developed a custom module for a client that is similar to what you’re asking for. Basically, we used zip code as a custom member field in conjunction with a 3rd party zip code database to allow a search for the closest member on their site.

We have been working to get this module ready for prime time, but it’s not quite there yet. What is your timeframe?

Lydia

I am at the pre-quote phase with this project, I could do with an idea of time/money before I can quote accurately for this feature 😊

How finished is your module? Would it work with UK postcodes?

thanks,

Nick

Our module is in production on a client site, but it has not been fully genericized. We used the zip code database available at http://www.zip-codes.com/ as well, and it doesn’t look like they have a UK postcode version. I think the module could be tweaked pretty easily though if we found (or you have) a UK postcode database that contains latitute and longitude coordinates.

Let me talk with my team here and figure out some more specifics along with how far off we are from releasing the module, and I can get back to you with more info.

Hope this helps 😊
Lydia

Yes it’s great to hear that somebody else is doing something similar! I have enough on my plate learning EE, never mind making custom modules 😊

thanks,

Nick

Here’s a few links for you 😊

UK Postcodes

Postcode Lookup Example

UK Geocoding

UK Geocoders

Don’t know if they can help anyone or not though?

Best wishes,

Mark

This one also :

UK Postcodes (CSV File)

😊

Best wishes,

Mark

Thanks for the links Mark, i’m sure they will come in very handy 😛

Hi Nick,

No problems.

If you ever get anything up and running then do let us all see it won’t you? 😊

Best wishes,

Mark

Ok, I got a quote from a developer today to create an EE friendly Geocoding system.  It is all very doable, and he has done it before on a site, so hopefully my client will accept the quote and I can get it developed for EE 😊

Nick

Hi Nick,

Would love to be kept informed if you ever get this anywhere. Would be interested in it if it ever gets up and running. How much would you be charging for it?

Best wishes,

Mark

Hi Mark,

It’s hard to say until it has been coded! If the project gets the green light, I will investigate making it into a module so it can be inserted in to EE 😊

Nick

Hi Mark,

It’s hard to say until it has been coded! If the project gets the green light, I will investigate making it into a module so it can be inserted in to EE 😊

Nick

Hi Nick,

No problems. Will wait patiently and see what they come up with.

Best wishes,

Mark

Hi Again -

We are shooting for one month from now to have an official module ready for US zip-codes and miles. It would not take too much more effort to use one of the databases that Mark referenced and provide a distance in kilometers option.

If you need something sooner than this, I would be happy to provide a quote for your specific implementation.

No hard promises, but we plan to be offering this module somewhere in the US$50 range, but we are also finalizing the costs of including/excluding the zip code database licensing, so this is subject to change.

We’ll try to get the documentation and demo published on our site before releasing the module so you can see all the capabilities.

Module features will include:
- Can use member data or other db table for source table.
- Can specify zip code/post code database tables.
- Easy import and periodic updates of zip code database.
- Return results based on user or parameter specified distance (e.g. look for members within 25 miles of particular zip)
- Results can show either all member profile data associated with the results (including custom member tags) or all data in other db table.
- Results will show the distance in miles or kilometers.
- ‘No Results’ tags.

Also - if any of you out there are also looking for something like this and have additional feature requests, please let me know!!

Thanks,
Lydia

Lydia, since you are making this public information and seeking suggestions, you might consider posting this last post separately in the Modules forum…. sounds like a pretty nifty module, though!

Once it’s live, I hope you’ll add it to our wiki modules page, as well. =)