Back to Basics - RETS is/and/or IDX?

[orion]

Hello all,

it's been a while since I was this stumped on something and I think it's because I'm completely missing the basics... This forum is the closest thing I've found for answers, and I'm grateful it's here and am excited to get the project going.

I have a client for whom I'm developing a site (in Canada). The MLS system does provide, as they have described it, RETS access or IDX access to its members.

To be clear, I want to transfer only a selected number of listings (under 300 at any time) and not the whole MLS.

The website is hosted on a shared server. I'll be concerned about that later, I understand it's not ideal but for under 300 listings and a relatively small market place I think we'll be okay.

My questions are:

1) Is RETS a form of IDX? Is it a language? Is it a connection script? So lost, my php/html expertise doesn't cover all of this stuff.

2) And is an 'RETS server' the original hosting, main MLS server (in this case with Filogix at MLS.ca)? Or is the RETS server something installed on the end website's (shared) server?

3)Once the data is in the local db (mySQL) can it be modified by a local admin tool (php) just for display on the local site (not spit back to MLS)?

4) Can REW provide a full solution, not using iFrames, not hosted elsewhere, not on a subscription basis, integrated within an already developed custom site? If not, where should I look to outsource the work (RETSbond, WolfNet, Open Realty)?

5) I see a lot of developers aren't keen on RETS, and when I understand the basics here I can determine if it will work for my own needs. But, is RETS a bad choice overall compared to other solutions?

I don't expect a full schooling on the history of IDX/RETS (really, I appreciate any info at all) I just wanted to have some one break it down for me.

Thanks for any input or advised reading. Please don't send me back to rets.org. I think my brain is leaking out of my left ear.

[cgmckeever]

1) Is RETS a form of IDX? Is it a language? Is it a connection script? So lost, my php/html expertise doesn't cover all of this stuff.

IDX is a policy not a format:
http://www.metalsoftware.com/idx-real-estate.html

RETS is a data exchange protocol

2) And is an 'RETS server' the original hosting, main MLS server (in this case with Filogix at MLS.ca)? Or is the RETS server something installed on the end website's (shared) server?

RETS can either be built right into the MLS database or sits as a separate server that acts as a bridge to the MLS database - either way, same end result.

For the website, RETS is a client program that connects to the RETS server and does the pull

3)Once the data is in the local db (mySQL) can it be modified by a local admin tool (php) just for display on the local site (not spit back to MLS)?

once it is in your DB you are free to do whatever you want - keeping in mind there are data usage policies and restrictions

[orion]

thanks for your reply cgmckeever, I appreciate your help.

I've continued with my research on this, and am still confused about the role of the RETS server.

My MLS states that they do "provide a RETS connection", but do not offer a RETS server.

Does this make sense? I understand the RETS client has to be built and hosted and integrated with the website on the website hosting server, but does that mean I have to have my own RETS server solution as well (REIL RETS,Rapattoni, Variman etc.) to connect to the MLS data?

Again, any answers welcome. Thank you.

[cgmckeever]

you do not need your own RETS server. You only need a RETS client.

Ask the MLS, if they do not provide a RETS server then what does your RETS client connect to? I'd also suggest going upstream and speaking with someone in their tech. side, as the answer they provided doesnt (as you have seen) make much sense.

[orion]

phew, ok now that I've heard from someone who knows what this stuff means I feel better about it - I really couldn't figure out how my client solution, whatever it ends up being, is connecting to the MLS without their providing a server. I'll speak with their tech people and see what comes of that.

Thanks again cgmckeever, I will post on this when I have further info (just in case it's not resolved).

[webmaster]

There are plenty open source RETS clients available to connect to a RETS server and access the data, although they are typically set up for properly integrated RETS servers, which regretably most RETS servers arent configured properly. Most of the time we end up writing our own client custom for accessing RETS data.

You had asked about REW's ability to handle this task, our IDX codebase is compatible with all forms of idx data transfer, however our code is proprietary (We bill for the labor to set it up) so it would have to be an iframe, or we would have to host the entire solution (IDX hosting is $30 per month)

You sound like a programmer, so this solution might not be ideal as our IDX agreements with the MLS boards (And for our own intellectual property protection) prevent us from providing any direct access to the MySQL database. So yes we can do it, but not the way you would want us to.