Hello all, I am looking for some advice and direction.

I feel confident that I have made the transition from plain vanilla asp/html to solely using DNN for hosting a couple web sites.  I have washed my hands of the ‘old’ way of web hosting and barely touch Dreamweaver and notepad anymore.  I do not want to go back.

Now that I have an attractive DNN web site, I need to get it to ‘do things’.  But I am NOT a developer and must use off the shelf modules and creativity.

My first goal is for a real estate application.  There are NO IDX applications for DNN.  So I need to scrap something together.  An IDX application is the local MLS records presented at one’s website for the public to search for a home based on multiple criteria.

I am considering downloading the MLS records, in ASCII format with jpg photos, from my local real estate association to my local computer.

After I get the ok from them to do that, I need to figure out how to process that data on my local machine.  I want to parse the data into multiple pools based on different criteria.

Then I have to get that data up to my website for public viewing, again in some pre-formatted method.

Now, I’m somewhat of an MS Access geek from way back, so I think I’ll be able to build some sort of macro procedure to scrub and parse the local data into some format that is DNN/web ready.

It’s just from that point on I have NO idea what to do.

I don’t know if the data needs to go into the SQL db.

I don’t know how to get it there.

I don’t know what module to use to format and present the data.

I did buy XMod a while back and used it a little to help format some *manually* entered records, but my knowledge on it is way limited.  That’s really the only thing that I would think could handle the task, but I really have no clue how or even if it could.

I would really appreciate any and all comments on this task as I really am a DNN novice user.

Thanks!

Scott

We use an IDX application as well... From what I have found out the IDX data is formatted differenty for each MLS system and is not standardized.  So the tables that we would download would be a little different from another MLS system.  There are a few major developers of MLS system software so you might could make generic "parsers" for each developer that pulls the basic info out of the databases.  For example, our MLS system is called Paragon and is is fairly popular...http://www.fidelitymlssolutions.com/mambo/  (heh its a Mambo site ) So maybe all the Paragon MLS systems would have common tables for the basic info, and so on for each of the major developers.  I am guessing there are maybe 5 or so major ones here in the US.

This whole topic is kinda long so I'll try to be brief.  If you want or care for more info/clarification, just ask.

IDX, as it applies to real estate applications over the internet = Internet Data Exchange.  An IDX website is what I am trying to put together.  This is where the general public can conduct searches of available listings in my local market.  I am going to receive ALL the MLS listings for my market via FTP from my association.  Then I need to scrub it and I can display all listings (allowing visitors to search by specific criteria) OR I can display only ones that meet my criteria - such as only homes that are newer than 1998 and over $500,000 in a certain area.

These listings belong to other agents/brokers.  Since we belong to the same association, we have a reciprocal agreement that we can display each others listings.  Think of it as a mini version of realtor.com.  One little catch, each association can have varying rules for how the data can be displayed at ones website, so a little application flexibility is required.

IDX vendors are all over - but you won't find any DNN and they typically force you to host through them, you give up all control and you usually get to work from lame templates that all look similar.

Some vendors are http://www.idxpro.com/ & http://www.planetidx.com/

Scott - The application we have been asking you for is completely seperate from this.  You are (hopefully) working on the mambo type application you showed on another post.  That is for our site as well, but that would be our own, private listings, if you will.  The local MLS allows us to input only limited information and a limited amount of pictures.  Whereas your application will allow us to really showcase a property to its fullest.

Both applications are important.  The MLS allows me to get wide exposure but if someone wants more info on a property, they can visit my website and see much more than in the MLS.

Let me know if I can help in any way.
Scott

Posted By manalive on 11/10/2005 1:29 AM
just curious, but, what kind of download will you be getting access to? cause neither of the sites listed there have a non-hosted version of the software. whether through frames or other "sub-hosting". just wondering

I will have access to plain text and jpg pictures for ALL listings in my market via FTP.  This is NOT the normal level of access for agents.  I had to sign a data recipient agreement with my association and with my broker to get consent.  My broker really does not care what I do as long as I don't break any rules.  This is not for their website, just trying to get this data up to mine.

You will NOT find a non-hosted version anywhere.  Nobody is going to hand off their code.  They want all the helpless agents to host through them - just another money pit.  I'm not cheap, I just want it done my way.

ok, ftp is not so bad and xmod is a FANTASTIC software system. due to limitation of the GoodDogs Repository, I was forced to use XMod Remote Data (from LucasLabs at www.snowcovered.com  in combination with some custom javascript and my own aspx page to recreate the downloader control! i then used a FormView module with XURLP to build the edit and upload features.

anyhoo.....i am doubting that you will find any pre-built IDX functionality for DNN, HOWEVER.......there are a few real-estate modules out there and you could certainly look! if not, my next move would be to hire someone to build it for you. something along the lines of an auto-synch ftp bot or something....let me know!