Search Sections
Search Help
Using the Wizard or Search Panel
There are two ways to search; the Wizard or the Search Panel; both will reveal the same
results. When you first launch Connect 211 the Search Wizard will appear on your screen.
Use it to conduct your search or click the "Close" icon to use the Search panel.
In the search panel, the categories and geography currently affecting your search are
displayed just below the Reset and Search buttons.
You can display the Search Wizard at any time by clicking the "Search Wizard" button
Keywords
Enter one or more search terms. The website will check all provider titles and descriptions for
any matches.
Near a Location
Enter an address to center your search at a specific location. You may enter a street address
or a zip code in this box.
Within a Distance / Within Miles
Use this slider to limit your search to the indicated radius around a location. You must
enter an address in the "Near a Location:" box before this slider will be available.
Categories
Click on the long button to show a list of categories. Use the checkboxes to select one or
more categories to narrow your search to providers with only those types of services.
Geography
Click on the long button to show several geographic types. Use the selection lists to narrow
your search to providers with addresses within that geographic area. If you select mutually
exclusive areas, no providers will match your selection.
Viewing Your Search Results
Connect offers you two ways to view the results of your search: -Provider List-
a text list or -Provider Map- a graphical, dynamic map. You can navigate between
the list view and map view of your results by clicking the tabs on the left above your results.
The Provider List
The Provider List displays contact information for each provider that matches your search
criteria. This table will only display a few results at a time.
Total Results
Displayed just above the contact information are the current number of results displayed
and the total number of results returned by your search
Near a Location
Enter an address to center your search at a specific location. You may enter a street address
or a zip code in this box.
Viewing Previous and Next Matches
Use the left arrow image to view the previous group within the returned matches. Use the right
arrow image to view the next group within the returned matches.
Changing How Many Matches are Displayed
Change the selection to the right of the Previous/Next arrow images to change how many matches
are displayed in the table. Your choices are 10, 20 or 50 matches.
Sorting the Matches
Click on any of the table headers to sort all returned matches by that column. By default,
all searches are sorted by Name. If you have included a radius criteria, your search results
will be sorted by distance; closest first.
Changing the Map Size
Click-and-drag the bar between the small map and the provider details to change the map
size. Changing the map size will not change the information displayed in the provider list or provider detail
areas.
The Provider Map
Clicking on the Provider Map tab will display a large map of your search results. If your
result count is very large, the map may take a moment to load.
Locations with One Provider
Locations with one provider are shown by using a category icon. You can match the icons
to their categories by clicking the large Refine Categories button.
Locations with Multiple Providers
Locations with many providers are shown by a blue circle of varying size. Large circles have
more providers than small circles. Hover your mouse over a circle to show the number of
providers at that location.
Viewing More Information
Click on any category icon or blue circle on the map to display some information about the
provider(s) at that location. If there are multiple providers, left and right arrow icons
will be available to switch between these provider's details.
Map Options
Use this button to add more information to the map display.
Using the Map
Navigating in the Map
Click-and-drag the map with your mouse to move around the map. You can also use the up, down,
left and right arrows in the upper-left corner of the map to move a short distance.
Moving the map will not cause the map to reload.
Zooming In and Out
When you zoom in or out, the map will reload. Large circles may split into two or more
smaller circles and small circles may split into individual category icons.
If your mouse has a wheel, you can scroll the mouse wheel up and down to zoom in and out.
The map will stay centered at your mouse's location.
You can use the plus and minus icons and the slider bar to the left side of the map to
zoom in and out.
In addition to giving you details on vital services, Connect allows you to locate them
and organize a trip around multiple locations.
Adding Providers to the Trip List
Only providers with an address can be added to a trip.
From the Provider List, click on a provider to view their detailed information. At the
top of the information area, click the button "Add to Trip". This provider's address will
automatically be added to your Trip List.
From the Provider Map, click on a circle or category icon to view the provider's information.
Use the "Add to Trip" link at the bottom of this information to automatically add the provider
to your Trip List.
Adding an Address to the Trip List
Click on "Plan Your Trip" above the Search Panel. Enter an address or zip code in the box
at the bottom of the Trip List and click the "Add" button. If we find more than one match
for the location you typed, you will be asked to select a match from a list.
Changing the Provider Order in the Trip List
Click-and-drag a provider or address up or down with your mouse. When you let go, the list
will reorder itself.
Getting Directions
Two or more providers or addresses must be in the location list before you can create
directions for your trip. If you only want one provider in the list, enter your home or
work address to provide a starting point.
Click on the "Plan Your Trip" button, then click on the "Create Trip" button. A new
window will open with directions and a map for your trip. From here you can reverse the
directions, change between driving and walking directions and hide or show the map. If you
have a printer, you can print this page for your reference.