Do you have an example of a site that makes a new request when the user moves the map around? I think I know what you mean, but seeing it in action would make it clearer.
How do you expect this to work with the start marker, and the directions link? Is the start marker always moved to the middle of the map when the user moves around the map? The start marker is required for the directions to work, and that would make it tricky. I can detect where the center of the map is, but no guarantee it’s not in a lake.
I think the only solution is to make the ajax request based on the center of the map, leave the start marker on the last searched position the user made ( or the default start point ), and show the locations that fall within the radius that is set in the radius dropdown.
This results in the driving directions possibly starting a few screens back before the user started to move around the map, but at least you know 100% sure it starts on a road, and the user can always make a new search if he wants to see the driving directions from a closer start point.
I need to make a page where users can provide ideas and vote on it.
It’s idle curiosity which would have a visitor scroll to see who else is in an area. If they pan to a spot 25 miles East or North, and see no locations on the map, it’s a natural assumption to believe there is no location.
If the map is first displayed with no locations visible, it’s a natural assumption that _something_ must be around, and so a search is required.
I would not think this request is as relevant while providing directions, though if the map were recentered with current directions shown, perhaps any available locations would be displayed.
Agreed that voting page would be great. You could even build a full community around your wonderful plugin by using a copy of Discourse ( discourse.org ).
For myself, I think I will try to keep blocking scrolling, as my needs don’t even need to provide driving directions.