I have the MLS listing data all set. Now I need to add photos to the listings.

I think there is 3 options ..

A) Import the images to added columns to each listing

B) Save the images to an image folder, and store the URL in added database columns.

C) Save the images to an image folder and scan the folder for images with matching mls# per search.

Im leaning towards (B), but ide like to hear your recommendations.

Also, whats the best way to read-in the images?

The image file name format is like this ..

example: 'E208871_401_12.jpg' .. which translates to: MLS#_IMAGE#01_IMAGECAT'

note: '01' always follows the image#, and 'IMAGECAT' reffers to 'exterior image', 'image of kitchen' .. ect ..

Option B is definitely best - do a count on the images and store that in your dB if you need to (Hopefully you don't) rename the images as you store them in your folder - that way you can use the count to anticipate image1-1 image1-2 etc

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Strep throat! - Yup tis the season - boooo if you are wondering why you haven't seen me as much it's because I had strep throat for a week, feeling better just playing catch up. Merry Ho Ho folks

Unzipping the image file with PHP. Whats the method for this? I have gotten the files copied to a folder on my server, but I need to unzip the file. Is their a php script for this. I found a 'system(unzip $file,$return_value)' command but doesnt work for me.

That call, system(), asks your hosting environment to run whatever is in the parentheses. If you do not have an 'unzip' on your hosting environment, this will not likely work. You might also be giving 'unzip' the wrong arguments. You might have to log into your host environment with a secure shell and fiddle around with some command line options of unzip to get things going. Once you have it working manually, copy that over into the system() call.

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Reed Botwright
IDX Coordinator
Real Estate Webmasters Staff
MLS Update Blog

Is the system() call the best option? I think I also seen a php unzip class somewhere? What do most people use?

Try checking out:

ca3(dot)php(dot)net/zip

Do a search on the page for 'unzip'. It's about a third of the way down the page.

__________________
Reed Botwright
IDX Coordinator
Real Estate Webmasters Staff
MLS Update Blog

Maybe its just me .. but this whole system seems flukey.

If I get the partial download of images .. than it seems there are many instances I will have inacurate data.

for instance ..

- Original listing has 3 photos ..
- Next day Agent removes the 3rd photo from the listing and changes the 1st.
- I get a partial update of the changed 1st photo.

PROBLEM: I never know about the 3rd image being deleted.

Unless your MLS provides a means to check this (e.g. a field with a list of appropriate image files) or specifically notifies you of a change, I don't believe it is your responsibility to manually check every listing against the MLS every time there is an update to see if you are showing the right images.

__________________
Reed Botwright
IDX Coordinator
Real Estate Webmasters Staff
MLS Update Blog

Its not that im worried about their requirements .. its just that I would like accurate information on my website. I guess everyone else's website is inaccurate also? or am I missing something?