If you search for a location on openstreetmap.org you'll probably miss some autocompletion. Autocompletion requires some server resources and when you have a normal SQL database (as it is the case for normal nominatim installation) this is nearly impossible. There is an Open Source solution called photon using the nominatim DB for feeding and for the search it uses Apache Solr. I highly recommend looking at this.

But if you just want to use nominatim I developed a bit JavaScript magic which displays the possible entries if you click the small triangle in the right corner of every input. And then if you hover the mouse over one entry it will immediately display the map. Test it here and sources are here - it stands under Apache License and requires jQuery Autocomplete.

BTW: Maybe you have some time to use this into the latest effort that wants to have routing on the main osm.org site? Check this fork!

I just blogged about it here

Today we’re releasing version 0.2 of our Open Source road routing engine GraphHopper written in 100% Java.

Faster!

• All algorithms are faster due to bug fixes and fine tuning
• A preparation is necessary for our optional speed-up technique called Contraction Hierarchy. This preparation is also faster.

Further!

• We finally fixed GPS-exact routing so you don’t have to workaround a junction-to-junction results

More exciting news will follow …

Have fun and try GraphHopper Maps with world wide coverage for pedestrians, cars and bicycles! You need support? Have a look at our enterprise options!

Notes:

• Get started!
• Download the source, the apk or the war file.
• If you have questions join our mailing list!
• See all fixed issues and the full list of changes for easier migration.

Graphhopper 0.1.1 is now available on maven central. Which means that you can include it as a dependency in your pom.xml without adding a repository. See the snippet on the website.

Also there are some minor bug fixes and better support for internationalization. E.g. GraphHopper Maps should now be able to detect your locale and apply the translation (de, en and es) automagically. Or you can force it with the locale parameter: http://graphhopper.com/maps/?point=berlin&point=madrid&locale=de_DE

PS: If you are in the USA (or use en_US) you'll see feet and miles, which I highly dislike but people are used to it.

See the full announcement here

Quick feature summary:

• It supports OpenStreetMap out of the box
• It is memory efficient and fast
• It is entirely written in Java
• It is Open Source (Apache License)

Trying out this blog here. English or German ... hmmh, at least linking to http://graphhopper.com ;)