Dynamic sortable/filterable map with Drupal/Openlayers - how? -

Dynamic sortable/filterable map with Drupal/Openlayers - how? -

we in process of converting our site on drupal (6.2.8 now) static/custom jsp site. lastly year, had dynamic map (see here: http://archive.summer.harvard.edu/help/directions.jsp )

key behavior when selected 1 dropdown other filtered show 'legal' values, , updated map show selected building. directions plus, not planned drupal version.

my data/view structured so: have building content type contains building name, type, lat/lng, , location data. have 2 openlayers views - 1 map data, accepts nid argument , filters against building node, , has exposed filters type , name. map view set utilize 'exposed filter in block' , accepts nid argument.

i've been able pretty close using openlayers , views, have found stumbling blocks along way. specifically, if utilize exposed filters type , building dropdowns, need submit form , reload page in order refresh map.

i hoping i'd able maintain ajaxy behavior old map in transition drupal. i've thought of options, none working great yet:

since map view takes nid argument, maybe don't need filter @ all. if made different view had select inputs in it, each of had kind of onselect sent nid map? (i build them w/ jquery ui autocompletes using view json datasource, instance)

maybe there's kind of way utilize panels pass arguments between views? (but can dynamically without reloading page?)

am going wrong, should go custom-coding map clientside?

drupal drupal-modules drupal-views openlayers