[mapserver-users] Technology to combine with MapServer?

[Andy Colson]

On 6/18/2010 7:45 AM, Fia wrote:
>
> Hi!
>
> I run a MapServer application that reads data from a PostgreSQL database
> (with PostGIS) and plots them on a map. Now I want to make objects
> clickable, so I can for example click on a flag to get a popup with short
> info, together with a link. (Or the same popup by hovering over a flag with
> the cursor, either works.)
>
> What technology should I use? I have started using OpenLayers and I've
> managed to put up a WFS service through MapServer, but I don't know how to
> connect the two. Or should I even use some other, better technology? I've
> heard people talking about GeoExt, ExtJs, Mapfish, Geoserver and more, but
> I'm a a novice here and don't know what to choose. Programming PHP
> workarounds is also an option. But I need some guidance in this, I have no
> idea which solution is best (fast to accomplish/robust for large
> databases/performance wise etc)to choose an object from a map and present
> more information about it.
>
> Best regards,
> Sofia

I'm using PostGIS, OpenLayers and a little perl to do this.  Here is a 
sample of the site:

http://maps.camavision.com/?map=kossuthia&pin=2202456012

It looks for "interesting" things withing a buffer of the click point 
(so if you are close enough to a street, stream, railroad, etc it'll 
tell you what they are).

I dont use the Mapserver Query* stuff, I kinda wrote my own.  If this is 
the sort of thing you are looking for, and dont mind writing PG stored 
procedures and a little code, I'll describe how I did it.  This might be 
a little more low level... but it gives you lots of control.

Note that you cannot "select" an object.  You just get information about 
objects near where you click.

-Andy