Dynamic content view

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groups: SoC 2008 · Search

garthee - Thu, 2008-03-20 08:12

I think the way information is presented and search results are displayed can be optionally enhanced. This somewhat related to the following discussions, however a new idea
1. http://groups.drupal.org/node/9934
2. http://groups.drupal.org/node/9946

A short description of what I would love to see with this module
1. When user searches, even if he is not sure about the article he is searching for (thus inappropriate keywords might be typed) but he is almost certain about the TARGET TYPE (node – and possibly the content type, user, file). Hence within the search box, we could allow him to choose (no need to go to advanced search) as in firefox search box, from a drop down menu.
2. Now search results are restricted to a TARGET TYPE.
a. We could present a TARGET type options in a side bar, which could be used to narrow down the search options. For instance node creation date, author for nodes and user location, date of birth for users.
b. Further, we could use timeline JS library (http://simile.mit.edu/timeline/), exhibit library (http://simile.mit.edu/exhibit/) and / or google maps to allow the user to pick location / time frame to further narrow down the search. thus improve user interaction.
c. All this are updated in real time through AJAX (I have become a real fan of ajax).
3. Although I used the word search and search box here it is not only restricted to that. Definitely I would love to see the firefox type search box with a side bar to narrow down as in Windows file search. However, we could use this in blogs, comments, views, events, date modules to rejuvenate spartan look they posses (wikiepedia gives a weight for the Spartan
look of drupal  ).
4. I would call this Dynacontent module which will improve the look / selection and traversal of any contents.

I have already proposed an idea for a permission module (restructuring user module), for which I have coded a skeleton module. Depending on how much it is welcomed among the community, I might have to choose this instead for GSOC, as this is commercially more appealing 

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The Faceted Search module

heyrocker - Sun, 2008-03-23 05:44

The Faceted Search module already contains a lot of the functionality you are proposing (content type, author, create date, etc.) However it also has an API for expansion so you may want to examine expanding that rather than starting for scratch. Use of the timeline module seems like it could present some interesting possibilities.

Crossposting to search group for more feedback.

To be accurate

garthee - Sun, 2008-03-23 12:13

Faceted Search, views, fast_search and ajax views all provide the back end to the idea. Actually I propose for a better usability form a non technical user where TIMELINE / LOCATION (maps) / CONTENT everything is integrated and presented aesthetically and dynamically.

http://simile.mit.edu/exhibit
Is an example of it, but without drupal support

Thanks for the feedback!