Convert Polyline to MultiGeometry

[shannon9585]

I have a shapefile that consists of polylines. I want to convert them
into KML using <MultiGeometry> so that there is only one <Placemark>
for each feature. I also want to be able to create a customized
information balloon using the <ExtendedData> element. Are there any
free shapefile to KML converters that do this? Or, is there some
other easy way to do this?

I like the Export To KML ArcScript for creating customized information
balloons, but it creates a KML without <MultiGeometry> (so each
segment of each polyline is a different <Placemark>, which isn't what
I want). I've also used the Shp2KML tool from zonums to create KMLs
using <MultiGeometry> and have manually edited the code to customize
the balloons, but for some reason this tool isn't working for me now
and the download isn't working on their website.

Any ideas?

[jmatthews]

Is there maybe a way to convert the shp to some other format where you
can open the new format, read it, and program via php or some other
language to translate it to kml? I write kml files using php
regularly, and it is very easy.

I assume the shp file has the data in it, such as coordinates. It's
just a matter of getting them out in any way you can read them.

[jmatthews]

Here is the information necessary to convert the shp file for anyone
who is ambitious enough to write us all a replacement for the now-
seemingly-deceased shp2kml: http://www.esri.com/library/whitepapers/pdfs/shapefile.pdf

[shannon9585]

Are there any resources you can suggest on writing kml using php?
I've never worked with php before but may give it a try.