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= Geocoder

Geocoder is a simple plugin for Rails that provides object geocoding (via
Google Maps) and some utilities for working with geocoded objects. The code can
be used as a standalone method provider or included in a class to give objects
geographic awareness.

== Setup

Use the Rails plugin install script:

  script/plugin install git://github.com/alexreisner/geocoder.git

To add geocoding features to a class:

  include Geocoder

Be sure your class defines read/write attributes +latitude+ and +longitude+ as
well as a method called +location+ that returns a string suitable for passing
to a Google Maps search, for example:

  New York City
  714 Green St, Big Town, MO
  Dusseldorf, DE

If your model has +address+, +city+, +state+, and +country+ attributes your
+location+ method might look something like this:

  def location
    [address, city, state, country].compact.join(', ')
  end


== Examples

Look up coordinates of an object:

  obj.fetch_coordinates            # returns an array [lat, lon]
  obj.fetch_and_assign_coordinates # writes values to +latitude+ and +longitude+

Find distance between object and a point:

  obj.distance_to(40.71432, -100.23487)      # in miles
  obj.distance_to(40.71432, -100.23487, :km) # in kilometers

If you're using a MySQL database and you need to do a search for objects
within a given distance from a point, this method will generate a query for you:

  Geocoder.nearby_mysql_query('cities', 40.71432, -100.23487, 50)


Please see the code for more methods and detailed information about arguments.
  
  
Copyright (c) 2009 Alex Reisner, released under the MIT license