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davidrat
User

Feb 6, 2008, 11:33 AM

Post #26 of 48 (5669 views)
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Re: [ross] Tutorial: Google Maps [In reply to]	Can't Post

My map has stopped displaying SOME listings... actually I think it won't display those that are outside of the default map view, it appears. Is this normal?

I can add a listing that would appear in the default center and level map and it will show up. As a test, if I edit the listing to another set of coordinates, it will not show up on the map. This appears to be new behavior, as I could see all my listings previously. Any clue what's going on here?

Edit: Now I see what's going on here: it's the perpage thing.

(This post was edited by davidrat on Feb 7, 2008, 10:09 AM)

MikeB
Staff / Moderator

Feb 7, 2008, 1:21 PM

Post #27 of 48 (5635 views)
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Re: [davidrat] Tutorial: Google Maps [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi ,

Thanks for the post and the update!

I'm glad to hear that you've managed to get to the bottom of this and hopefully you now have your Google Map up and running and displaying your listings as you expected.

If you do have any other questions or comments, just let me know! Smile

Cheers,
Mike Briggs - Product Specialist
support@interactivetools.com

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Scotsman
User

Feb 11, 2008, 5:13 AM

Post #28 of 48 (5580 views)
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Re: Tutorial: Google Maps [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hello

Just to ask a basic question:

I have a client estate agent site built with listings manager. The estate agent is here in the UK. I'd like to be able to impliment a google map page displaying properties. Is there a way to get this to work with UK postcodes? The girls in the office enter the details into LM for each property, but I think adding coordinates would be too confusing and time-consuming for them. Any ideas? Thankyou in advance. Scotsman

Jake
Staff / Moderator

Feb 12, 2008, 11:38 AM

Post #29 of 48 (5532 views)
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Re: [Scotsman] Tutorial: Google Maps [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Scotsman,

Thanks for posting! Smile

I've had a look into this for you and I'd suggest using our second Google Maps tutorial here:

http://www.interactivetools.com/products/realtymanager/tutorials/google_maps2.html

Google has updated the API for the maps to allow for it's "geocoding" to work outside of North America. This means that providing the map with the address and postcode of a UK property should allow it to display in the Google Map without you having to enter in coordinates for each listing.

I hope this helps! Smile

-----------------------------------------------------------
Cheers,
Jake Swanson - Product Specialist
support@interactivetools.com

Scotsman
User

Feb 27, 2008, 7:13 AM

Post #30 of 48 (4925 views)
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Re: [Jake] Tutorial: Google Maps [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi again,

I appreciate your help with this. I seem to have the google map working with UK postcodes, but for some reason its not showing all the listings. there are about 40 properties, all with postcodes, and its showing about 15 on the google maps page.

Its not visible to the public yet, but the map page is online.

http://www.scottishhighland.com/property-map-search.htm

Do you know why this would be happening?

regards

Stewart

Jake
Staff / Moderator

Feb 28, 2008, 1:40 PM

Post #31 of 48 (4884 views)
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Re: [Scotsman] Tutorial: Google Maps [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Stewart,

I asked Ross about this earlier today as he originally wrote the tutorial, and he informed me that Google Maps changed the way that they handle the map data passed to it recently, which has caused this problem. We're looking at ways to get around this, but I couldn't really guarantee any kind of result for you. Ross did let me know though that the other method of using the longitude and latitude coordinates should still work, but I realize that this is less than ideal in your situation.

Let us know if you have any other questions. Smile

-----------------------------------------------------------
Cheers,
Jake Swanson - Product Specialist
support@interactivetools.com

Scotsman
User

Feb 29, 2008, 2:26 AM

Post #32 of 48 (4872 views)
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Re: [Jake] Tutorial: Google Maps [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hello Jake,

Thanks for getting back to me. I understand what you're saying, sounds like its out of our hands. Is there a way to place a goodle map on each individual listing instead, say a popup from a button? This would be a suitable replacement for a maps page.

I agree with Ross on the coordinates thing, but frankly, i just dont think it would go down well with his office. If I could replace a general map page (where all properties are marked on same map) with a map for each property, he should be happy. Either way he wants maps! :)

I appreciate your help.

All the best

Stewart

MikeB
Staff / Moderator

Feb 29, 2008, 3:13 PM

Post #33 of 48 (4856 views)
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Re: [Scotsman] Tutorial: Google Maps [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Stewart,

Thanks for the post!

I've had a look into this issue and it seems there is a work around that you can use if you'd like to list all of your properties on one map.

Basically the work around involves using a different template that has a built-in delay that will ensure that all of the listings are able to be appropriately geocoded and displayed. The only drawback with this method is that there is a delay so rather than all of the listings popping up on the map at once, you'll see them come up one at a time. A delay that seems to work well is about 300ms meaning that even if you have 100 listings you shouldn't be waiting any longer than a minute or so for all of the listings to come up.

If this sounds like something that'll work for you (or something you'd like to try out) just let me know and I'll provide you with that template.

Otherwise, just let me know and I can provide you with some details on how to add the map right onto your listing pages so you'll have a Google Map on each listing page that shows a marker for only that one property.

I look forward to hearing from you Stewart! Smile

Cheers,
Mike Briggs - Product Specialist
support@interactivetools.com

Scotsman
User

Mar 3, 2008, 4:38 AM

Post #34 of 48 (4740 views)
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Re: [MikeB] Tutorial: Google Maps [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hello Jake

I would definitely be interested int he template. A short delay wont really matter as they never have more than 50 or 60 properties for sale at one time.

If you could let me know the details for the template or what I have to do, that would be great. Smile

regards

Stewart

Scotsman
User

Mar 3, 2008, 4:39 AM

Post #35 of 48 (4739 views)
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Re: [Scotsman] Tutorial: Google Maps [In reply to]	Can't Post

Sorry Mike I thought it was Jake replying! Blush

Yes I'd like the template please!

Stewart

davidrat
User

Mar 3, 2008, 1:58 PM

Post #36 of 48 (4713 views)
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Re: [ross] Tutorial: Google Maps [In reply to]	Can't Post

I, too, am eager to get a single-listing map to display on my listing pages. I am adapting the generic templates for something that should be really cool, if a ton of work, and this is a key piece of the puzzle.

Are you still offering up that special template by support ticket???

MikeB
Staff / Moderator

Mar 4, 2008, 11:22 AM

Post #37 of 48 (4670 views)
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Re: [Scotsman] Tutorial: Google Maps [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Stewart,

Thanks for the post! Smile

I've attached the _google_map2_delay.html file to my post here and I'll give you a bit of detail about this:

Similar to the existing tutorial (http://www.interactivetools.com/products/realtymanager/tutorials/google_maps2.html) there are a few items that you'll need to change in this template to set everything up on your site.

In the original tutorial, steps 2 and 3 should be the same and you'll just modify those couple of lines of code that are referenced (adding your own Google Map API key and setting up the center/zoom).

Regarding point 4 (Template Cells - popup bubbles) the code here just looks a little bit different now. In each of your templatecells you should see two lines of code that you'll want to modify:

addresses[count]="$lfield1$ $lfield3$ $lfield4$";
messages[count]="HTML CODE HERE";

The first line is the address field and you'll just need to pass the appropriate values that make up an address (number, street name, city, state/province, country, etc.) by using the "lfield" details from your admin program. The second line is the HTML code that will show up in the pop-up bubble with the details about your property. In your case because you had already filled out these details when you followed the original tutorial, you can just copy the HTML code and the address fields and paste them into this template.

From there, the rest of the tutorial should work the same and you'll create the search query in an iframe the same way you did with the old template.

I hope this helps Stewart and if you have any other questions or comments, just let me know! Smile

Cheers,
Mike Briggs - Product Specialist
support@interactivetools.com

Attachments:

_google_map2_delay.html (5.33 KB)

MikeB
Staff / Moderator

Mar 4, 2008, 11:31 AM

Post #38 of 48 (4666 views)
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Re: [davidrat] Tutorial: Google Maps [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi davidrat,

Thanks for the post! Smile

If you're hoping to display just one listing on a Google Map on each of your individual listing pages this should involve just one quick tweak to the existing tutorial.

You'll want to follow this tutorial on our site here:

http://www.interactivetools.com/products/realtymanager/tutorials/google_maps2.html

The only different is that when you get to step 5, you'll want to place the Iframe code right on your _publish_listing.html page. The other difference is the Iframe code itself and instead of using what you see in the tutorial, you'll want to use something like this:

<iframe src="/cgi-bin/listman/exec/search.cgi?search=1&template=_google_map2.html&lfield1_match=$lfield1$" width=500 height=515></iframe>

The key here is that I added this bit of code:

lfield1_match=$lfield1$

The intention is that lfield1 would be your address field so if you're using a different field for the address you'll want to replace these references to lifeld1 with the field you're actually using. One other thing I'll mention is that if you do have any other "unique" fields (property ID number, MLS number, etc.) you could use those instead of the address.

The idea here is that when you're on an individual listing page, if you do a search for all of the properties that have the same address (or ID number) you should only get 1 result. This means that on your individual listing page you should see a Google Map with just that one listing on it.

I hope this helps and if you have any questions about this, just let me know! Smile

Cheers,
Mike Briggs - Product Specialist
support@interactivetools.com

davidrat
User

Mar 4, 2008, 2:36 PM

Post #39 of 48 (4657 views)
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Re: [MikeB] Tutorial: Google Maps [In reply to]	Can't Post

Excellent! Works like a charm. Now if anyone has a clue about how to modify the _google_map.html template to recenter* on that single marker, I'd appreciate a clue. The Google Maps API forum is making my head spin.

*and I mean without me having to hard-code all the lat. and long. coordinates!

(This post was edited by davidrat on Mar 4, 2008, 2:37 PM)

Scotsman
User

Mar 5, 2008, 3:43 AM

Post #40 of 48 (4606 views)
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Re: [MikeB] Tutorial: Google Maps [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hello Mike,

Unsure

I'm sorry for being a pain in the neck but Ive followed your instructions, and the page deploys but with a grey box.

http://www.scottishhighland.com/property-map-search.htm

Can you see what is causing it?

regards

Stewart

MikeB
Staff / Moderator

Mar 5, 2008, 10:45 AM

Post #41 of 48 (4588 views)
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Re: [Scotsman] Tutorial: Google Maps [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Stewart,

I've had a look at this and I'm actually able to see the Google Map coming up here. Hopefully this is something you've been able to sort out on your end but if not, just let me know what seems to be the issue and I'll have another look at this for you.

Thanks Stewart! Smile

Cheers,
Mike Briggs - Product Specialist
support@interactivetools.com

MikeB
Staff / Moderator

Mar 5, 2008, 1:10 PM

Post #42 of 48 (4585 views)
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Re: [davidrat] Tutorial: Google Maps [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi davidrat,

Thanks for the post!

I'm glad to hear that this is working for you on your individual listing pages. I've been having a look into this for you and I can't seem to find a good way of setting up the map to automatically center on this single point.

For now I'd say your best bet would be to zoom out a bit and have an overview that should cover the area you're posting listings in and allow visitors the ability to zoom in for that one specific listing.

Let me know if you have any other questions about this! Smile

Cheers,
Mike Briggs - Product Specialist
support@interactivetools.com

Scotsman
User

Mar 6, 2008, 3:04 AM

Post #43 of 48 (4511 views)
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Re: [MikeB] Tutorial: Google Maps [In reply to]	Can't Post

I have a grey box in ie (and yes i do have everything installed on ie) but i can see the map in firefox. However, the markers are out of place and most arnt appearing, and after consideration i dont think this method will work as this is a very busy website.

Is it possible to have a map on each listing like davidrat says but smaller so that it fits in with the listing, or better still in a popup window when a button is clicked?

I'm sorry about this mucking around but I'm trying to find the best solution for my client.

Crazy

kind regards

Stewart

davidrat
User

Mar 7, 2008, 12:18 PM

Post #44 of 48 (4437 views)
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Re: [MikeB] Tutorial: Google Maps [In reply to]	Can't Post

Uh-oh! Now, new listings are not showing up as markers on the Google map. I only see 12 markers on the map, and I have a presentation to brokers on Monday morning. I've been entering all the listings myself, so I don't think that there is any error there. The perpage is set to 999. What could be happening???

MikeB
Staff / Moderator

Mar 7, 2008, 1:35 PM

Post #45 of 48 (4432 views)
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Re: [Scotsman] Tutorial: Google Maps [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Stewart,

Thanks for the post!

I'm not quite sure how you'd go about getting the Google Map to show up nicely in a pop-up window but adding this to the individual listing page isn't a problem at all.

If you need to change the size of the map, you'll first just want to ensure that the Iframe you use has a smaller width/height and you can then modify this line of the _google_map2.html template:

<div id="map" style="width: 500px; height: 500px"></div>

You can tweak the width and height to suit your needs and match your design.

I hope this helps! Smile

Cheers,
Mike Briggs - Product Specialist
support@interactivetools.com

MikeB
Staff / Moderator

Mar 7, 2008, 1:38 PM

Post #46 of 48 (4431 views)
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Re: [davidrat] Tutorial: Google Maps [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi davidrat,

Thanks for posting!

If you're running into an issue with the map itself you may want to post a link or example of what is happening. It's a bit tough to see what might be happening without having a look at your site.

Also, on this map you mentioned are you adding the Lat/Lon values for each listing?

I look forward to hearing from you! Smile

Cheers,
Mike Briggs - Product Specialist
support@interactivetools.com

davidrat
User

Mar 7, 2008, 1:41 PM

Post #47 of 48 (4430 views)
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Re: [MikeB] Tutorial: Google Maps [In reply to]	Can't Post

Each listing has its lat/long coordinates, and they all look okay. I can set the iframe perpage to 2 and it will only show 2 listings. If I set it to say, 200, it still maxes out at 12.

Link: http://www.easthamptonstar.com/dnn/tabid/1058/Default.aspx

Edit: actually, I can change an older listing from "rental" to "sale" and the map will display a 13th marker.

(This post was edited by davidrat on Mar 7, 2008, 1:46 PM)

MikeB
Staff / Moderator

Mar 7, 2008, 1:58 PM

Post #48 of 48 (4426 views)
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Re: [davidrat] Tutorial: Google Maps [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi davidrat,

Thanks for the update!

I've had a look at this and played around with everything for you a bit and it seems that there are some listings that aren't showing up regardless of the search values I've set.

I'd suggest double checking the latitude and longitude for these listings that aren't showing up as it seems it might be an issue with these properties either not having values or having incorrect values.

Other than that, it's tough to see what could be happening without looking at these listings themselves. If you'd like me to have a closer look at this, just send me an email with your FTP details (mike@interactivetools.com) or send me a private message here on the forum with these details.

I look forward to hearing from you! Smile

Cheers,
Mike Briggs - Product Specialist
support@interactivetools.com

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