Re: Zipcode based query, how?

aaron.g@ix.netcom.com (Aaron D. Gross) wrote: >burzin@twinsun.com (Burzin Engineer) wrote: >>Hello, >> I am wondering if anyone has any ideas on zipcode based >>approximations for a list of addresses. The idea is that when a >>user types his zip, he gets a list of stores that are within a radius >>for him. Sounds simple but what happens when your zipcode does not match >>exactly? Which zipcode should you go to next? >>Seems like their should be a solution for this. Any pointers appreciated. >>Thanks. > >Zip Codes are a poor way to do distance-based searches. Many >zip codes gerrymander all over the place--that is, they are >irregularly shaped and often have appendages that would thwart >most techniques. Also, urban zip codes are densely packed and >rural zip codes are not. Extremely strange language, do you know what gerrymander means.... The Empire State building has its >own zip code, as does the Educational Testing Service, but there >are zip codes in Wyoming that are probably close to the size of >Rhode Island. > >If you can get zip+4, then there should be a way to get the latitude >and longitude values, and then apply a formula for calculating >distances between two lat./long. coordinates. > _/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ Gordon E. Hooker MACS PCP 25 Clarke Street Ripley Queensland Australia Phone 61-7-32940555 Email gordonh@acslink.net.au _/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ It is far far better to remain silent and appear a fool then to open ones mouth and remove all doubt. Anon.