Okay, lets see if you want to tackle this.

I have a employee directory that is PHP accessing a MSSQL database. Now that directory resides in the com_wrapper on my intranet site.
Do you think you can create a searchbot that can query that database for names and return the results within the regular Joomla search results page with all the rest of the results ( I want the employee search and site search results melded together as they were when I started with community builder)

?? Think you could do that ?? I have a feeling it could be done, it's just beyond my skills.

Well, before I say yes or no, I really need some information...

Does the employee information reside in the same database as Joomla? Using the same database makes the process a lot easier to complete.

I recently considered using some piggyback techniques to pull search results from another search system and format the data for Joomla and return the results with the rest of the Joomla results. For example, this method could allow you to include Google search results in the Joomla format on your website.

In the past, this type of piggybacking has run into problems when used too long or too many times since the the donor site may block access or change the parameters of their search system.

This would be a highly specialized SearchBot that I wouldn't be able to distribute to anyone but you. The idea of the free SearchBots is to drive traffic to this website and that traffic translates into income. Would you be willing pay a small fee for such a SearchBot?

vujsa

Thanks for the quick reply!

I was thinking that this bot might be useful to others using Joomla as an intranet site for a company.
As others may be in the same situation that I am in.

• pre-existing employee database, so community builder cannot be used.
• a need to have the directory integrate into the joomla intranet site
• and be searchable other than on the actual directory page

So the bot would need some options that could be set from the admin area.
1. server address (assuming it's a DSN-less connection)
2. login info (username and pwd)
3. table or tables to search
4. **nice to have** drop down menus that let you order how the results will appear (ie.. name, ph #, email address, location..etc..)

I can see a bot like this being used for other things other than employee directories.. basically any site that also has data residing on an existing MSSQL db (or maybe give options for differnt DB types??) that they need to bring into Joomla. This bot should not suffer from the issue of loosing access or having access blocked since it will require certain credentials to make the connection.<br><br>Post edited by: ronrattie, at: 2007/11/09 15:26

If you don't want to undertake this bot, would you be able to give me some tips? advice?

I'm sorry for my absense.

Your post left me a bit bewildered at the time and I needed time to consider what you requested. Unfortunately, I forgot about the topic before I was able to sort through your suggestions.

It would seem that we are discussing to different things.

I write SearchBots for add on components for Joomla that don't have one available. The search results are processed and sent to the main search system of the Joomla CMS. Joomla then formats the raw data into the system specified template and displays the search results.

A SearchBot is created by either mimicking the search query used by the components build in search system or by creating an entirely new search query if the component does not have a built in search system. This allows any type of Joomla Component to be searched from the main Joomla search feature.

Every component has a very unique database structure including table names, field names, and data types. As a result, each component has a very unique query string needed to search the proper parts of the database for the relevant information.

This is what I meant when I said &quot;This would be a highly specialized SearchBot that I wouldn't be able to distribute to anyone but you.&quot; Unless there are other people using the same employee database system, you would literally be the only person that could use this. These SearchBot aren't plug-n-play. There are a specific script written to bridge the search data between two systems.

If many people are using the two systems and a SearchBot is required, then I am happy to develop one free of charge. However, it takes me a few days to analyze the database structure for the donor system and develop the required code for it. Then at least a day to test several parameters to check for bugs. I don't mind helping people when I can but this is just too much time to invest for the benefit of so few for no benefit to me.


---------------------------------------------------

Now as for what you requested.
It doesn't seem like you want an actual SearchBot. It seem more like you want a interface between Joomla and your employee database system. This would require the development of a component for your system. Basically either replace your current systems database interface with a new one or bridge the two systems together. The bridge is usually a little easier to do but tends to cause limitations in the interface. Creating a new component from scratch to replace the current system allows for what ever features you desire to be implemented but is much harder to develop. At this time, I cannot consider myself to be qualified to develop either of those options.

There is another option for you. Data migration. It might be possible to adapt your data for an existing component like Community Builder. Basically, the data in you database system is analyzed and compared to the data in a CB database. Your data is then copied and formated to the same structure as the CB system. By adding fields to the user table in CB, it could allow for nearly any data you have in the existing system. It really wouldn't be that difficult to do if I had the structure of your existing database. Basically, take data from her and place it to there script!

I must admit, I am not all that familiar with the CB database structure but I could investigate further. You may have better success by inquiring about data migration help at the Community Builder website.

Let me know what you think, I could have misunderstood your request.
vujsa