[OpenLayers-Users] 'Markers layer' ... is this possible?

[nick@hogweed.org]

Hello, 

Am playing around with OpenLayers. I have something I would like to do and am 
wondering whether it's possible in OpenLayers as it stands.

I am wanting to develop a 'mash-up' application of sorts which uses a 
scrolling OpenLayers map which gets tiles from a WMS based on OpenStreetMap. 
I would like users to annotate the map with markers (not too difficult) but I 
would like to implement persistence for the markers, whereby the markers 
(with accompanying text) are saved in a database on the server (via AJAX) to 
be retrieved the next time the user visits the site. The application I have 
in mind is one designed for walkers (hikers) to share information on the 
condition of paths, good views, etc.

What I am interested in though is retrieving the markers next time the user 
visits the site. Does OpenLayers have any automated way to retrieve a 
'markers layer' as you scroll the map? i.e. as you scroll around, the markers 
on each tile are retrieved as well as the underlying map? Or do I need to 
implement it myself with AJAX?

Thanks,
Nick