title: Calculating distance between two post codes
body: <p>I would like some help with how to go about calculating the distance between two post codes. Here is the setup that I wish to have, let me give you a scenario.</p>
  
  <p>A user logs into my website (they have provided their details, their postcode being one of them). That data is stored in the <code>users</code> table.</p>
  
  <p>I have another table with details about <code>locations</code>. I would like to display locations (and the distance) that are closest to the user.</p>
  
  <p>I know that there are certain methods that can be used, for example:</p>
  
  <p>Converting a postcode to a long-lat and using built in methods to calculate the distance, I think Google offer a free service. But I have no idea how I would implement such a thing. All the tutorials I have taken a look at seem too complicated and for the time being I want a very crude and simple solution upon which I can build and more importantly learn!</p>
  
  <p>I am fairly familiar with PHP and MySQL when it comes to basic input/output of data. But I am not sure of the best way to handle the information with regards to user data, and the locations of the 'businesses'.</p>
  
  <p>Any suggestions, comments will be more than appreciated.</p>