Open Realty

Open Realty is a php/open source application which is described by the creators as a:

… free web based listing management application. It is intended to be both easy to setup and use. Written in PHP, Open-Realty® is designed to be a fast and flexible tool for your website.

I originally started using it for a rentals-based website because I needed a database-driven sorting and listing system, but hadn’t a clue how to do it.

The software download is available via Fantastico for free which means that although it uses MySQL and php, you can get around the technical issues with a one-click install.

A web host such as Heart Internet, which is who I use, will allow you to install the script easily enough, though it is slightly more complex than using Fantastico as you have to create your own MySQL database first.

The advantages of Open Realty

I’ve grown to really likethis software, and having had a lot of time to experiment with it now, I’ve found it extremely adaptable and capable of much more than just sorting a list of properties.

It’s fully customizable, in that you can add any elements to your listings that you please.

You can customize user information, add galleries and slideshows and adjust listings templates to include adverts.

It also allows you to add Multimap links to pages … it’s as simple as entering the postcode in a listing when it’s first made.

The interface is extremely straightfoward too, as you can see from the screen grab below.

In the past, I’ve also adapted Open Realty beyond its basic use as a property listing site and have used it for scrap-yard listings, local shop listings and local business listings.

I reckon the possibilities are endless with this software … if you want to list something and be able to sort it by size, location, price or some other factor, it’s well worth a try.

Open Realty extras

I’ve also made frequent use of the Open Realty support forum, which is superb.

I’ve had many a technical problem very swiftly answered on this forum, so make sure you sign up and use it if you opt for Open Realty for your website.

What's wrong with it?

I'm a big fan of this open source software as you can tell, but there are a few points to note before you dive in and start to try it out:

# I find that the regular upgrades that come out often cause annoying technical glitches and when you go on the forums to find out what's happening, you get a pretty technical response.

# You need to make sure that you back up any changed files before you upgrade, or else you'll find that you've lost all your hard work.

# Occasionally I experience some annoying problems with the WYSIWYG editor and find myself having to make changes directly in the MySQL database ... which will be much more technical than many people can cope with.

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