Quick Search Widget Available

[Amol B]

The Quick Search Widget has been provisioned in the iCarpool-RideshareOnline platform. The quick search widget allows a user to search for available matches in the system without having to create an account and login to the system. The widget takes input in terms of the Origin and Destination of the user and displays available matches in the system. The widget displays summary information of available matches – in order to view full information of the matched users, the user is required to login to the site and view the matchlist. Optionally, a map view with push pins representing the matches may be displayed by setting "iCarpoolWidgetShowMap" to “true” in the widget code. If the map view is enabled, the map size can be controlled by setting "iCarpoolWidgetMapWidth" and "iCarpoolWidgetMapHeight". The widget displays all matches in the system – the network from which the widget code is generated is of no consequence for the matching.

Just a reminder that for widget deployment on external sites, while the individual elements can be styled, it is critical for the different elements and tags to be present with their IDs as generated by the widget code.

Here are the steps needed for the widget:

• Login to the administration application and navigate to the Widgets link under the Settings menu. 
• Enter the host name (the domain name of the website that will host the widget). For example, if the site where you want to host the widget is http://abc.com or http://www.abc.com, enter abc.com in the host name field.
• Generate the widget code. 
• Copy the generated code and paste it in the appropriate web page that resides in the external site.

I've hosted a sample of the quick search widget here: http://www.icarpool.com/?page_id=1525.

Happy quick searching.

[Mark Messinger]

Can anyone confirm whether the Quick Search Widget specifically excludes School networks?

We'd like to know whether the widget includes schools or school network users in the match results returned with the widget.

[Amol B]

Users in school networks can post SchoolPool trips (for SchoolPool matching) or regular commute trips (for Commute Matching). Commute trips are not associated with the school network. The Quick Search Widget does not include SchoolPool trips in its results. However if a parent in a school network posts a commute trip for their commute matching - that commute trip is included in the results of the Quick Search Widget.

[Mark Messinger]

Thank you for your reply, Amol.

So, SchoolPool trips are not included in the results from the Quick Start Widget.

I was somewhat confused by the presence of the Widgets link, on the SchoolPool Settings screen. Of the widgets available, it seems as though only the Emission Savings widget would be of any possible use.

SchoolPool trips aren't part of the Quick Search results. A SchoolPool wouldn't operate a Vanpool. Events are not available to school networks. Therefore, there seems to be no use, in a SchoolPool network, to the Quick Search, Vanpool Seat Finder, or Events widget.

[Mark Messinger]

The sample widget at http://www.icarpool.com/?page_id=1525 is not presently returning results in a map.

Is there still an option to return results which are displayed on a map?

Unless the widget has been changed - unless the widget can no longer return results in the form of a map - I would prefer the sample widget include that map display.

It's important to be able to direct webmasters to fully-operational samples of the iCarpool widgets. Webmasters need to be able to see how these widgets operate - including how the space taken up by the widget changes, with the addition of a map to display the results.

[Emily Nutsch]

Sample Widgets are up, and have the map view active:

 

Quick Search Sample: http://www.icarpool.com/?page_id=1525

Event Widget Sample: http://www.icarpool.com/?page_id=1577

 

Remember that map size (and whether it shows) is configurable.  A good thing to note depending on population density.

 

Also, the Event Widget will hide itself if there are no events, so in the future, if the sample disappears, that is likely the case.

[Amy O'Brien]

A new manual chapter (9) is now available that describes the function, installation, and use of all four iCarpool widgets now available.  Hope this helps.

[Mark Messinger]

Thanks for the new manual. I'll check it out.