I am using Drupal 6.22 / module apacheSolr 1.5 / Java based Solr 3.1
I would like to extend the default solr search form to include location input and guided facets in an expanded state (displayed via AJAX as part of the form, before any search results are displayed):
1) Location input (postal code field and slider to set proximity range connects to Solr Geo-spatial)
http://wiki.apache.org/solr/SpatialSearch
http://thedrupalblog.com/geospatial-apache-solr-searching-drupal-6-upgra...
2) AJAX Guided facets - based on term user types, with autosuggest module enabled.
Once user either selects term/clicks button/hits enter > the search form expands to display relevant Facets and Counts (Vocabulary & Content Type) of the query term typed by the user.
For the Guided facets. Two different yet similar solutions both from evolvingweb.ca
The Drupal module apachesolr-ajax
Alternatively pure AJAX-SOLR (not drupal dependant) found at https://github.com/evolvingweb/ajax-solr/wiki
Perhaps there is an easier way using the existing facet filters (default solr blocks) and a bit of ajax to display them with the search form?
I also found a recipe (from drupalcon chicago 2011 session apache solr chops) for adding dropdown facets (category/group/content-type) to the search form with hook_form_FORM_ID_alter(). This is similar to the drupal.org search which expands (refine this search) and displays radio buttons. But both of these examples are static-form-filters not live-facet-counts.
If anyone has opinions about how to proceed, or ideas on an easier implementation route, it would be appreciated. thx in advance.