Hello,
I've been using Geolocation and drupal6 for quite some time (although I don't consider myself an expert at all), first using Location+GMAP, after (with better results) using OL+OL Geocoder. I was quite happy with the coice, since it covered my needs pretty well. But nows it comes Drupal7 and my problems start. Although there's a D7 version of OpenLayers, there isn't of other useful companion modules like openlayers geocoder or Openlayers CCK widget. And the worst is that not only there won't be any D7 version of those modules (see here) but it seems that "OpenLayers CCK has been popular but it's architecturally weak and CCK is not a very good API to build anything serious upon." according to tmcw's words here, who in turn announced that DevelpmentSeed will no longer continue working on drupal and thus, OpenLayers and all related modules. Not only that, he added that "The OpenLayers project seemed like the only option at the time, but it isn't, and it isn't the best option either. OpenLayers is a massive codebase that has gone far too long between rewrites (as in, it has never had one). It makes configuration an unnecessary nightmare, one that the module goes to lengths to patch together.". And that scared me. It scared me specially because I am not a developer and I have to rely on what experts say, which sometimes is contradictory.
Then I read that location module, which was somewhat forgotten seems to be working again and now what seemed to be a bad approach seems to be a better one (better than wkt fields?). Additionally new modules appeared, such as Gelocation which seems to promising but lacks quite a lot of features that OL CCK Widget had (whether its architecture is better or not I do not know). And it confused me. Even more.
So, summing up. Which do you think is the best combination of modules for Geolocation in Drupal7 today? Will it change in the near future? And what about the mid-future?
Thanks

Comments
No comments yet?
I don't know the answer, but the Geospatial Modules Assessment page looks like a good starting point, quite up to date, although I don't personally know about all modules listed there. I see here are some more thoughts, though just as many open questions...
I found http://drupal.org/project/geofield looking very interesting. Too bad nothing is happening with Geo at the moment, although the majority of the D7 upgrade is supposed to be done already.
It looks like there is massive duplication in the Geo/Location for D7 area. I would also really appreciate some thoughts from the experts.
Thank you very much! I didn't
Thank you very much!
I didn't know any of the links you provided. Geo seems to be a good option, but as you say there's much work to be done yet and there are some features duplication.
Geofield ?
As to the original question, I am on my first D7 site and I do not think there is yet a proximity option equivalent to OL Proximity in D6.
Those links are helpful, Geofield does like look it is the first out of the gate for D7 with a WKT option. And there is a recently added co-maintainer.
http://drupal.org/node/1206464
So when I am ready to try proximity for D7 I suppose that will be my first try.
D7 mapping and proximity now
D7 mapping and proximity now seem to be working fine.
Address Field - Inputting Address - http://drupal.org/project/addressfield
Geofield - Storing Lat / Long - http://drupal.org/project/geofield
Geocode - Converting Address to Lat / Long - http://drupal.org/node/1093402
Openlayers - Create Map - http://drupal.org/project/openlayers
Proximity - http://drupal.org/node/1013450
Location module, compare to other options?
There are a plethora of geolocation and mapping modules, where does the Location module come in? https://drupal.org/project/location
I'm currently using the Address Field module for a custom content type, each location would be its own node of the custom content type with the Address Field, I'd like to map each node using that address data (distances, proximity, IP geolocation etc.), is the Location module what I need?
It seems awful popular with 60k+ installs.
Location module is fine, if a little tired
My personal favorite is Geofield + Geocoder + AddressField
For the actual multi-marker maps use Views in combination with Google, Leaflet or OpenLayers as the map rendering engine.
"IP Geolocation Views & Maps" works all of these as well as both Location and Geofield modules for coordinates storage.
See the IPGV&M project page for more references, module comparisons etc.
Rik
I will look into those you've suggested - mobile app
I will look into those you've suggested.
Could you please explain what you mean by "tired." Are you saying using Location fields now will mean they will be incompatible or no longer used in the future? Is you're preferred approach more along the lines of Drupal's geolocation approach for the future?
I'd like to be able to use a user's IP to suggest/filter nodes/content geotagged within a specified distance of them, and automatically if possible. Will Location or the three modules you suggested be able to accomplish this along with the IPVG&M module?
Are there any considerations I need to make if I intend for my website to either be the basis of a mobile app or at least be used on mobile devices/responsive, in the future?
Thanks