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stanb17
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Oct 16, 2003, 11:29 AM
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Compare or Parking Lot feature for RM/AM
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HI,
I haven't been seeing much progress and getting many (any) replies to my direct post of this feature to folks, so I'm dishing it out for all to see.
As I was eating my Frosted Miniwheats and rasberries this morning, I came across a possible solution to everyone's desire to add a Parking Lot feature to RM and AM... but I need to run the idea past someone who knows what they are doing... Donna, Ben and Luke have not responded. 
On the _publish_listing and _publish_listing_index pages (or any for that matter), I would create a CHECKBOX with a value of $Ifield33$ (or whatever) the checkbox would be titled something like "Save for comparison"
After the visitor has selected (checked off) the homes or cars he/she wishes to compare, they click on a button that reads "Compare Selections". The button would be linked to a search query for all listings on the current displayed page with the $Ifield33$ check box selected to be displayed in a new template that compares the listings. This is where I think it falls apart. If the listings are on multiple pages, how would the information be retained after the new page is loaded?
I guess an alternative to this scenario would be to have a button that posts the selected listings to a file in the background that would used to generate a comparison page upon request.
I have seen this feature on sites like Best Buy and Sony and now sites using homes.com to host their real etstate sites. They charge something like $169/mo for the privilage.
So... I think we could be scratching the surface of possibilities here. I default to the PERL gurus to find a functional solution.
Thanks
StanTheMan
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osluk
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Oct 16, 2003, 12:54 PM
Post #2 of 17
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Re: [stanb17] Compare or Parking Lot feature for RM/AM
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Stan you are spot on.
I think we have entered into an area of politics. Let me explain. I have used the software to fulfil specific customer requirements in the past but have stopped short of pushing the products because of the never ending "end user" developer debate.
I said quite a lot at the time about being able to customised the look and feel. It seems this is now more possible. However there has to be some serious thought about is this an end user product or a product sold to designers / developers to integrate into a clients site.
As far as I can understand someone paid for the development of exactly this functionality. I have no problem with this and I would be happy to contribute towards thsi kind of project but I would be disappointed if each time a new version came out I had to pay again to rewrite my addon. Maybe I would hack the changes myself.
I dont know what commercial arrangements would be. I have already bought serveral multipacks.
Perhaps a developer membership fee paid annually with agreed scripts and updates to these.
I think at the moment the usage is being limited and someting needs to change the existing stalemate. We dare not add functionality in case the support costs are greater.
This is intended to be constructive so I hope the company dont go paranoid on me.
_______________________
Chris from Optima
"please always add logical keywords to help find items"
Optima Solutions Limited
http://www.osl.net
"technology for business"
Nominet member for .UK names and European hosting
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stanb17
User
Oct 16, 2003, 1:23 PM
Post #3 of 17
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Re: [osluk] Compare or Parking Lot feature for RM/AM
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Chris,
I see yer point. Perhaps we can ask if a listing of available programmers that can handle these requests would be OK with them. The bottom line should always be dictated by consumer requests and demands. These features requests are a direct reflection of what real flesh and bone clients want. If plug-ins that add functionality ala carte' is the way to go, then they should make them available for a price. The cost, a reflection of time put in and market demand.
I'm just a little freaked at why Interactive Tools has gone silent in the last few weeks. I know they have some Canadian Holidays and hockey season coming up... but two aspirin and ESPN should remedy the situation.
What do you think of my seedling of an idea?
Thanks
StanTheMan
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Luke
Staff
/ Moderator
Oct 16, 2003, 3:53 PM
Post #4 of 17
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Re: [stanb17] Compare or Parking Lot feature for RM/AM
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Hi Stan,
Thanks for the post! 
What exactly is it that you are asking for? I understand something about paid add-ons, a 3rd party developer list, but could you please be a little more specific as to what it is you're asking.
Also, what posts have we not responded to for you. If you could send me any links to your posts as we try to get back to all posts very quickly. If we missed any of your posts I'd like to know.
I look forward to your reply! 
Luke Holzken
Product Development
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stanb17
User
Oct 23, 2003, 6:37 AM
Post #5 of 17
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Re: [Luke] Compare or Parking Lot feature for RM/AM
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Luke,
Onward and upward. http://www.adworks.net/demo/publish/article_7.shtml
I have included the line <a href="http://www.adworks.net/cgi-bin/demo/exec/favorites.cgi?$art_name$" target="favorites" onClick="MM_openBrWindow('','favorites','scrollbars=yes,resizable=yes,width=500,height=400')">Add
To Favorites</a>
I've saved the favorites.cgi and fav-db.cgi to the cgi-bin/demo/exec/ directory with 755 permissions.
I'm getting an internal server error. What am I doing wrong?
Stan
PS. The upgrade to V1.33 went well.
StanTheMan
(This post was edited by stanb17 on Oct 23, 2003, 8:44 AM)
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Theo
Project Manager
/ Moderator
Oct 23, 2003, 5:14 PM
Post #6 of 17
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Re: [stanb17] Compare or Parking Lot feature for RM/AM
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Stan:
Was the favorites add-on working correctly prior to upgrading to version 1.33? Although the error that you're getting is typical of permissions errors or missing/broken CGI files, I have not done any testing of that particular script with the latest version of Article Manager.
I will do some testing of favorites.cgi and see if I experience similar errors.
Theo Wiersma
Project Manager
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stanb17
User
Oct 23, 2003, 6:26 PM
Post #7 of 17
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Re: [Theo] Compare or Parking Lot feature for RM/AM
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Theo,
No. It was an addition after the upgrade. I'm actually using it as a test bed for eventual addition to www.bragdonrealestate.com
I just need to make sure it works and I know how to make it work, before I go and charge my client for my time.
If you need Username and Password to frisk the site via FTP, let me know (Luke knows).
Thanks
Stan
StanTheMan
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Cliff
Staff
Oct 24, 2003, 2:58 PM
Post #8 of 17
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Re: [stanb17] Compare or Parking Lot feature for RM/AM
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Hi Stan,
Thanks for posting,
Luke is currently looking into the problem so we will continue with our testing and email you when we have found a solution.
In the meanwhile if you have any questions please don't hesitate to post again
Regards,
Cliff Stefanuk - Customer Service Manager
support@interactivetools.com
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Theo
Project Manager
/ Moderator
Oct 24, 2003, 5:45 PM
Post #9 of 17
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Re: [Cliff] Compare or Parking Lot feature for RM/AM
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Stan:
Although we don't have plans to continue maintaining this script, I'm going to have it upgraded to work with the new filelocking protocols, meaning it should be compatible with any Article Manager version from 1.28 to 1.33. But I won't be able to guarantee any forward compatibility. :)
I'll send the files to you on Monday, Stan.
Theo Wiersma
Project Manager
(This post was edited by Theo on Oct 27, 2003, 9:08 AM)
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stanb17
User
Oct 25, 2003, 12:34 PM
Post #10 of 17
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Re: [Theo] Compare or Parking Lot feature for RM/AM
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Thanks Theo,
I'm actually using it in Art Man at the AdWorks site as a demonstration/test to see if I can get it to work before implementing it with RM at www.bragdonrealestate.com. In RM I'll also have to work up a custom favs-template to accumulate the results in a side-byside table for comparison and printing. I'll make all this stuff available to your other Art Man and RM clients. It's actualy MORE valuable to RM clients as they can compare and contrast prospective listings side-by-side.
Thanks for your efforts. Have a nice weekend.
Stan
StanTheMan
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stanb17
User
Oct 30, 2003, 6:43 AM
Post #11 of 17
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Re: [Theo] Compare or Parking Lot feature for RM/AM
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Boo!
Hey Theo... any word/progress on those files? It appears that I am very close to getting it functional. Happy Halloween.
 STan
StanTheMan
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Theo
Project Manager
/ Moderator
Oct 30, 2003, 1:21 PM
Post #12 of 17
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Re: [stanb17] Compare or Parking Lot feature for RM/AM
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En route to you now, Stan.
Theo Wiersma
Project Manager
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osluk
User
Nov 26, 2003, 11:42 AM
Post #13 of 17
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Re: [Theo] Compare or Parking Lot feature for RM/AM
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Theo I hope I havent got this wrong but the script in question was paid for by a consultancy client? Why is there such a big deal about it being updated.
Do a few of us have to say we will buy exclusive rights to it and then you will keep it up to date and supported. But only available for use by this exclusive script sponsor club. Or is it not well engineered enought for general use.
The functionality is going to benefit everyone, extra interest extra sales or maybe it should be an optional extra cost item. Total admin nightmare - just tell me what the issue is.
Does the existing version work with listings manager.
Please explain.
_______________________
Chris from Optima
"please always add logical keywords to help find items"
Optima Solutions Limited
http://www.osl.net
"technology for business"
Nominet member for .UK names and European hosting
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osluk
User
Nov 26, 2003, 6:27 PM
Post #15 of 17
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Re: [Theo] Compare or Parking Lot feature for RM/AM
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Perhaps I am playing devils advocate here but how satisifed would you be if the consultancy you paid for was only valid for 48 hours during the life of version 2.5 but was killed by changes in 2.51 Even Microsoft say that the new version of blah is not backwardly compatible with blah blah at least I know then.
Actually it just seemed the file locking issues messed things up. The key issue is technically is it compatible or another way of asking the same question is there a reson it should not work.
I think there is a danger that it is more time consuming not supporting this than actually supporting it. These products are great but you dont make it easy to get the most form them ;-) in my opinion.
_______________________
Chris from Optima
"please always add logical keywords to help find items"
Optima Solutions Limited
http://www.osl.net
"technology for business"
Nominet member for .UK names and European hosting
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osluk
User
Nov 26, 2003, 6:36 PM
Post #16 of 17
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Re: [osluk] Compare or Parking Lot feature for RM/AM
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This "favourite list" or "interested in" list could be a major enhancement. Please send the current version. Is the idea that this functionality will be added if enough people ask?
_______________________
Chris from Optima
"please always add logical keywords to help find items"
Optima Solutions Limited
http://www.osl.net
"technology for business"
Nominet member for .UK names and European hosting
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Theo
Project Manager
/ Moderator
Nov 27, 2003, 10:27 AM
Post #17 of 17
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Re: [osluk] Compare or Parking Lot feature for RM/AM
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Custom work is always done on an "as is" basis, and add-on scripts as well. A program that worked with Windows 95 might not work with Windows 2003. Your custom exhaust built in 1973 isn't going to get added to your 2003 Mustang, and probably won't fit. :)
Add-ons were meant to be free things, provided "as-is", and we'd hoped that they would provide benefits to our users, but they have actually impeded our ability to develop new features for our software.
We'll continue to provide you with the existing add-ons, but not if there are any expectations that go along with them.
Theo Wiersma
Project Manager
(This post was edited by Theo on Nov 27, 2003, 11:04 AM)
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