Filtering Results on showlistings.tpl

[rockabilly +]

What version of 68 Classifieds are you running?
Example: V4.2.0 Designer

What template are you using?
Default

Please describe in detail the issue you are having:

I have several extra drop down fields, and I would like to place one or two of these over the table on the showlistings.tpl to filter the results. For example, if I have a drop down with various colors, and a person selects blue, then the results would refresh and return the ads with "blue".
Is there a way to do this?

Thank you....

[seymourjames +]

You are going to have to be clearer on this one. In effect, the only filtering done is by the search function where extrafields can be made searchable or not. The listing filter that TemplateCodes supplies will also filter listings but only on one extra field. If you are actually talking about a filtering capability on extrafields within the showlistings itself then the answer is I think this will be very difficult and I would not have a clue where to start on that one.

[rockabilly +]

Thanks for your reply. I was hoping there was code associated with the field ID that I could put above the table in the showlistings template so people can refine the search results with extra field drop downs.
I'll attach an example to this message.

Originally Posted by seymourjames

You are going to have to be clearer on this one. In effect, the only filtering done is by the search function where extrafields can be made searchable or not. The listing filter that TemplateCodes supplies will also filter listings but only on one extra field. If you are actually talking about a filtering capability on extrafields within the showlistings itself then the answer is I think this will bevery difficult and I would not have a clue where to start on that one.

[seymourjames +]

I don't think this is a realistic development to undertake without a considerable budget available to develop a complex filtering module. You would need to find a skilled php developer to do it. This one would not be for the faint hearted. I see no easy way to do it exactly as you are implying from your picture.

The only thing I can think of which gets some of the way would be to put the advanced search function on the showlisitings page (many core file changes) or if you wish to avoid that we do have a global search module (avoids playing with core files). Then set it up so it is pre populated with the category. Then the extra fields could be selected, the button pressed on the search function and the page is returned back as a page of search results. This would only work for category listings as you have shown and not if you started with a page of search results or you would then need to pre populate with several variables. Seems all rather complex for little gain. I also see search engine optimization and indexing issues if it were done the way you imply because the url would not be changing.

[rockabilly +]

Thanks for all of the information, I appreciate it. I had been mistakenly indicating that I have the designer version in my posts instead of the developer version, which I do have. I don't know if that would make a difference in having the ability to add these drop downs. I'll take a look at the global search module that you referred to.

Thanks again....

Originally Posted by seymourjames

I don't think this is a realistic development to undertake without a considerable budget available to develop a complex filtering module. You would need to find a skilled php developer to do it. This one would not be for the faint hearted. I see no easy way to do it exactly as you are implying from your picture.

The only thing I can think of which gets some of the way would be to put the advanced search function on the showlisitings page (many core file changes) or if you wish to avoid that we do have a global search module (avoids playing with core files). Then set it up so it is pre populated with the category. Then the extra fields could be selected, the button pressed on the search function and the page is returned back as a page of search results. This would only work for category listings as you have shown and not if you started with a page of search results or you would then need to pre populate with several variables. Seems all rather complex for little gain. I also see search engine optimization and indexing issues if it were done the way you imply because the url would not be changing.

[seymourjames +]

I was speaking to mikentosh earlier and he may have something that will do what you are seeking to do. The global search module module is no longer sold or supported although it could be used as a basis for what you are seeking to do. It is not really the solution you are looking for. Best to contact mikentosh about this one.

[rockabilly +]

Thank you. I'll contact Mike about this. I was hoping that it could as easy as inserting code like this on the page, but code that would call up the value of the extra field ID (such as a drop down or text field, whatever the extra field may be) and the specific category ID that it was place over. I use custom cats, so if this can be done, I could insert this on a page like noprice.tpl and have a different template for each category I place this over.

Thank you....





<form id="searchform" method="get" action="searchresults.php">
<input type="text" name="searchtext" class="search_input" size="15" value="Keyword Search!" onfocus="if (this.value==this.defaultValue) this.value='';" />
<input type="image" value="Submit" src="templates/deepsea/images/searchbar.png" />
</form>

Originally Posted by seymourjames

I was speaking to mikentosh earlier and he may have something that will do what you are seeking to do. The global search module module is no longer sold or supported although it could be used as a basis for what you are seeking to do. It is not really the solution you are looking for. Best to contact mikentosh about this one.

[business +]

A filter/refine search feature would be very useful. But given the way extra fields are structured in 68C, it seems to be a major development that would cost money and put extra load on the server.