ezRETS is an ODBC driver that connects to RETS servers. It is licensed under an open-source license. It allows ODBC-aware applications, such as Microsoft Office (Excel, Word,) to easily load data from a RETS compliant server using those applications built-in wizards and other tools. Its cross platform and runs on Linux and Windows. OS X support is planned.
Right now, we only have a binary version for Windows, but that seems to be the most useful to the most people. For those who would like to see/edit/compile the source on Windows or Linux, the source is available via subversion as well as at the download page.
You can download it by visiting http://www.crt.realtors.org/project/rets/ezrets
Continue reading ‘ezRETS 1.2.0 released’
Here is a quick review of some of our more popular projects. All of these are cross-platform (Windows, OSX and Linux) Open Source projects so in addition to no licensing fee you have access to the underlying source code. There are licenses though. Please refer to the project page for each project and take the time to read the licenses.
- ezRETS - A RETS ODBC Driver that can be used by developers as well as REALTORS® to integrate RETS into you desktop applications. This project is currently at release 1.1 with 1.2 being imminent. Version 1.2 will support Microsoft’s DTS. Version 1.3 is expected by the end of February and will include image and prepared statement support.
- libRETS - A RETS client Library supporting many languages. Version 1.0 has been released with Version 1.1 anticipated before the end of February. Version 1.1 will support C#. If you are writing a RETS client, I wouldn’t even think about coding my own RETS code. This library allows you to focus on the application features, not the RETS protocol.
- PolicyPage - An internet display policy checking tool for Associations and MLS. Currently at release level 0.9.7 (BETA) with a a 0.9.8 version expected in February. Version 0.9.8 will include “batch” processing. If more organizations would join the testing efforts, PolicyPage would drive towards version 1.0 faster.
- Retriever - A PHP RETS client applicatin that generates HTML versions of listings. This project is currently at version 2.0 with no plans for major feature enhancements (unless there is a human outcry for MAP API support from the various search engine providers). The project is updated regularly with fixes for bugs though. If you are looking for RETS-based listing support for a website, I would recommend OpenRealty.
- VieleRETS - A PHP RETS downloader supporting RDB, XML, CSV and OpenRealty. Version 1.0 is about to be refreshed with Version 1.1 that supports “update only” fetches. The future direction is to replace the PHP RETS engine (stolen from the Retriever project) with libRETS. This would be an example of “eating our own dog food” and emphasizes the comment I make regarding libRETS and how crazy it is to write your own RETS protocol code
- Variman - A most excellent RETS server that is fast, free and able to support huge MLS operations. Version 2.1.8 was released this week and is used in production at MLS operations ranging from 8-45K members. It is also resold as part of a commercial product (not by NAR!). It is a natural for distributing listings to remote offices if you are a large brokerage.
New forms of communication are important to REALTORS®. NAR is keenly interested in new media channels and is therefore announcing that a dedicated room will be available to Real Estate bloggers during national meetings. The first meeting that this facility will be available for will be the 2006 Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo (May 15-20) in Washington, DC.
It is unfortunate that we could not react fast enough to the blogging phenomenon during 2005. The good news is that NAR will be supporting bloggers from this point forward.
The room will be operated by the staff of the Center for REALTOR® Technology (CRT) and you can expect power, internet connections and other comforts. If you would like to conduct interviews for your publication, drop us a line and arrangements will be made. There is one important point of differentiation between bloggers and the working press though, you must be registered for the conference.
Feel free to post other suggestions for the room to this forum. In particular, we would be interested in ideas related to special events, comforts and services that will make your activities easier during conventions.
