[OpenLayers-Users] Questions on using Protocol.HTTP and custom XML to load/edit features

[Stephen Woodbridge]

Hi all,

I am trying to implement a vector layer that will allow editing point 
data. The data is accessed via a PHP script that serves some arbitrary 
XML. The layer looks like this so far:

             vector = new OpenLayers.Layer.Vector("POI", {
                 maxResolution: 360.0/16777216/2, // zoom 15
                 styleMap: styleMap,
                 protocol: new OpenLayers.Protocol.HTTP({
                     url: "poi-server.php",
                     params: {
                         m: 'r',
                         srs: 'EPSG:4326'
                     },
                     format: new OpenLayers.Format.XML()
                 }),
                 strategies: [
                     new OpenLayers.Strategy.BBOX({ratio: 1}),
                     new OpenLayers.Strategy.Save({
                         auto: true//,
                         //save: function() { alert("Save called."); }
                     }),
                 ]
             });

This seems like it almost works. But has the following problems, so 
maybe I'm just taking the wrong approach all together. Here is a live 
example:

http://imaptools.com:8080/tilecache/test.html?zoom=17&lat=33.89595&lon=35.49935&layers=BT

Issue:

1) the feature request does not seem to load on page load, but fires if 
you pan the map slightly

2) when the features load, I get an error on line 128 of 
OpenLayers/Format/XML.js because test.indexOf() is not a method. This is 
because text is type Document not string?

3) I assume the the XML parser will parse the response into an 
appropriate tree object, then I need to add some code that reads the 
tree and constructs feature objects that I then add to the layer. So is 
the problem above because the text object passed to read IS my tree and 
I need to pass a my own read() function to some code to do that? Where 
do I do that?

4) If I add a point using the toolbar add point button, I get

Security error"  code: "1000
http://imaptools.com:8080/ol28/lib/OpenLayers/Format/XML.js
Line 198

data = serializer.serializeToString(node);

What is this error and why am I getting it? I assumed that a default 
serializer exists, I probably need to add my own it write the expected 
XML the the PHP needs. Where would I add this and what are the exected 
inputs and outputs?

5) I eventually need to issue the Ajax requests by sending XML documents 
to the server instead of issuing GET requests. So to do this I assume I 
need to a) write code to serialize some params into a document, then b) 
get HTTP protocol to send the document. How do I do this? The PHP code 
is only temporary for testing and developing in my environment.

I learned a lot today, just by reading lots of OL code but I still have 
a ways to go.

I would appreciate and help and guidance.

Thanks,
   -Steve