Need a search and compare script- not for pricing though

Discussion in 'Programming' started by Maestroc, Jul 4, 2007.

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  1. #1
    I am toying with the idea of incorporating a search script on my site that would allow users to search for a keyword on a specific set of related niche sites (with those site's permission).

    The search would be returned via my web site and the user can then click through to the remote site if the search returns something they find of use. The returned search results would have to be reworded to include affiliate tracking code so I can get credit for any sales.

    I assume there is a product like this out there already? Any suggestions?

    Sincerely,
    MaestroC
     
    Maestroc, Jul 4, 2007 IP
  2. ProgrammersTalk

    ProgrammersTalk Peon

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    #2
    can you please clarify of what you're trying to make? because it's really unclear to me somehow.. at least for me.. :-/
     
    ProgrammersTalk, Jul 4, 2007 IP
  3. AstarothSolutions

    AstarothSolutions Peon

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    #3
    So you want a limited search engine then?
     
    AstarothSolutions, Jul 5, 2007 IP
  4. Maestroc

    Maestroc Well-Known Member

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    #4
    Guess I wasn't clear enough... Let me try again.
    Essentially I want a script that will search four to five specific web sites (including mine) for the user's search phrase such as:

    "Star Spangled Banner MIDI"

    The script would go out and search for those terms from the five sites and return a list to the user such as:

    StarSpangledBanner.MID available from xyz.com
    StarSpangledBannerTrumpet.MID available from pdq.com
    The Star Spangled Banner MIDI music available from abc.com

    Does this make any more sense? As I said, it is essentially a shopping comparison script but the items it will search for do not have a UPC code, ISBN number, or any other type of standard identifier that would be the same on all web sites.
     
    Maestroc, Jul 5, 2007 IP
  5. AstarothSolutions

    AstarothSolutions Peon

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    #5
    You wouldnt want it to "go out" and check as this would be exceptionally slow.

    As per my previous suggestion you effectively need a mini search engine creating or a price comparison site.

    A search engine would periodically "spider" the 5 sites and try to pick up all the key information and store it in a database for searching against

    A price comparison would pick up XML feeds at regular intervals the 5 sites give out and store the details in the database

    In either case your search then queries your database and displays the results.

    Option 2 is better but is dependant on the 5 sites having XML feeds available. Option 1 requires no efforts on the other sites owners end but is less reliable in terms of results
     
    AstarothSolutions, Jul 6, 2007 IP