Hi,

I currently have Links 2.0 and am thinking of upgrading to Links SQL. Before I make the move, however, I need to clarify a few things:

It is mentioned in the product overview that Links SQL is capable of producing an XML version of the database which can then be fed to other sites. How flexible is this procedure, or more specifically, can I decide which categories I want to be included in the XML document and which ones to leave out? For example, can I produce a separate XML feed for each category?

What is the best way to display the XML data on the receiving sites? Ideally, I would like the resulting pages to be indexable by search engines.

Thanks!

Hi,

There is a free XML_Results plugin that allows you to publish your search results in XML. This allows you to server up any search you like (search within a category, search on a particular field, etc) in XML.

So you could flag links that you want as XML by adding a new field 'DisplayXML', and then make queries such as:

search.cgi?DisplayXML=Yes

to show all xml results, or to limit them to a specific category, you can pass in the category ID.

You could also create an XML template set, and use dynamic mode to serve up XML pages for any category.

There isn't anything built in for what other sites do with the data, although you may want to look at:

http://www.gossamer-threads.com/perl/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=199494

which has a sample script a person could put on their site which uses the XML plugin.

Hope that helps,

Alex
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Gossamer Threads Inc.

Hi Alex,

I downloaded the files from the thread you mentioned above, unfortunately remote_search.cgi returned the following error:

Missing right curly or square bracket at www/cgi-bin/remote_search.cgi line 84, at end of line
syntax error at www/cgi-bin/remote_search.cgi line 84, at EOF
www/cgi-bin/remote_search.cgi had compilation errors.

After having added a curly bracket I received the following msg:

Bareword "r" not allowed while "strict subs" in use at www/cgi-bin/remote_search.cgi line 84.

Any ideas what's wrong?

Hi,

Sorry about the late reply. Hmm, that's very strange, it seems to have been cut off half way through.

I'll have a quick look and try and pull up the code. I'll let you know when it's fixed.

Cheers,

Alex
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Gossamer Threads Inc.

Hi Alex, thanks for your reply! I already got the script running.