OK, so I’m trying to use Dapper with all sorts of different non-profit databases. My stated goal is to generate a Google maps mashup out of databases built by non-profit organizations. Basically, the problem I’m having with Dapper is that many of these databases don’t use a single query URL like Google to return a result from or worse, they use a second script to create details or worst, their detail pages are generated as static HTML pages. It looks like the only way to really use Dapper is to be a developer. Next step for me: Creating another layer that rides on top of the original Dapp. The databases I’ve tried so far:
- Guidestar.org – uses separate details pages so that Dapper can’t be used in wizard mode properly. It’s easy to generate a details result on any one non-profit but it’s impossible to create a single page that has an entire results page on it.
- Charitynavigator.org – uses static HTML pages so queries are unique for each and every org and there’s no easy way to generate separate organization IDs
- nyc-arts.org – same problems as Guidestar.org
Don’t fret though — I’m going to see if I can make this work over time. I’d love to do a Google mashup out of those databases via Dapp. It’s complicated to do via the traditional way (housingmaps.com). If any of you out there are more facile with the Dapper API, I’d really like for you to teach me how to do this via Dapp.
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Eek! I hope you can do it! It would be a real shame if the only way to use Dapper is to be a developer. That sure isn’t the idea! Good luck, love your blog btw.
I’m trying… I’m trying…