[georss] [OWS-4-SWE] KML into OGC - OpenSearch for SWE

[Andrew Turner]

> From: Pat Cappelaere <pat at cappelaere.com>
>  Do we want the GIS search to be implicit or explicit?

It seems like any service should provide both. The implicit, user
friendly approach (as long as tips/guidelines are given). And the
explicit for exact queries by another service or expert user.


>  > To search spatially, use the format "Something" in "Somewhere".
>  This is very intriguing but not an obvious capability when you look at your
> template.  I actually like it very much.
>  Another issue is the reliance on a geonames-like service.  Especially for
> users in an intranet.

Depends on the level of detail desired. Essentially any gazetteer is
needed that can convert a name into a centroid/bbox. Metacarta I
believe supplies something like this, Google Enterprise geocoder
probably could, and even using TIGER or other data sources to supply
an internal gazetteer would work if necessary.


>  Could you also do : "something" within "bbox"?
>  How would we explain that capability to the users?

I doubt any user would type in bbox parameters :) Using a map
highlight seems to be the best for an extents explicit search.

>
> So how can this be specified in an OpenSearch template?
>

What were the thoughts on putting the georss in the Query?
<opensearch:Query role="request" searchTerms="New York History" startPage="1">
  <georss:box>42.943 -71.032 43.039 -69.856</georss:box>
</opensearch:Query>

Though actually, I believe a channel itself can have GeoRSS
parameters. Since the RSS feed is generated for within that, perhaps
it's just good enough to have the GeoRSS for the entire channel and
allow GeoRSS consumers to use that if so desired.

Using any of the elements from GeoRSS would allow for complex search
by polygon, or a point within a radius, and so on. I assume would also
want to add support of xCal or something for specifying if you wanted,
say, "real estate" in New York City between 1890 and 1912.

Andrew