RPLS.com Conversion Update

Hey everyone!  

I just wanted to provide a status update on the upcoming conversion from SurveyorConnect to the new RPLS.com.

Most of the work thus far has been configuring the new website and preparing for the import of forums and user accounts. We’re being careful to cross every T and dot every I. We will initially convert all of the forums and users (using a custom script) from a staging website so that we can keep the live site up and running. This will then allow us to check, re-check, and check everything again, then test and troubleshoot to make sure things are working as expected. Once that is all done and we are ready to launch, we’ll schedule a final conversion day, where we’ll convert the remaining forums and users that were created or changed since the staging site was created. That’s when we’ll have a little bit of down time, since we don’t want new activity to occur during this final conversion.

As of right now, it’s looking like we’ll be able to start converting from the staging site within the next few days or so. I’m hopeful that it won’t be much more than a few days after that before we make the final push. With any luck, we may be doing that next weekend.

The screencast I provided in a previous update is still pretty accurate. A few things have changed a little bit from that preview, but nothing significant. Most of the work since then has not been cosmetic, so there’s not much to show in that regard. It’s mostly been backend work.

Anyway, I didn’t want you to think things were stagnating — it’s quite the opposite. Work is progressing and the new site is going to be amazing!

Some of the exciting features will be as follows (many of which you may already know about):

• Discussion Forums: Duh, we have to keep those around! They are the heart of the website. But I’m including forums in this list because they will be different, i.e. simpler. You may notice at first that a couple features are missing, but once we launch, we’ll be working on implementing some of those missing features.
• Social Groups: Don’t let the “social” part of it scare you. These are basically specialized groups where discussions, photos, videos, documents and other information can be shared. Remember when the old rpls.com had special forums just for certain manufacturers? Groups can work a lot like that but with more features now.
• Groups for Associations: We will have the ability to provide access to associations or societies that want their own RPLS.com group, with access available only to their members. This can allow any association to have their own place to discuss and share among their members (same features as Groups above) — but also including private forums and even Zoom integration for virtual meetings and/or webinars.
• Spaces: Spaces will allow vendors to create their own business pages right on RPLS.com. Think Facebook business pages to give you an idea of the concept. This will give our vendors and advertisers a whole new way to communicate with customers and potential customers in addition to the web banner options we already provide.
• Activity Feed: This will essentially be the homepage. Activities that occur in other areas of the website will be reported here. For example, when a new forum topic is posted, or a new event is added, etc. there will be an entry in the Activity Feed for it. But you can also post new entries directly into the Activity Feed and interact with them. Think Facebook but without all the privacy concerns and other bullpoopoo.
• Private Messaging: The new PM systems is SO much better than the one that just crashed here.
• Member Profiles: These aren’t too much different in how they look, but they are far more powerful. Initially, they’ll be fairly basic like the current profiles system. Later on, we can make them better.
• Classifieds: Woo hoo! A real classified ads system!
• Jobs: Woo hoo! A real jobs manager!
• Events: Woo hoo! A real events manager!
• Memorials: We’ll still keep the RIP forum, but we’ll also be able to memorialize a member’s profile when they pass away. This will allow other members to revisit past discussions and even post new entries onto their timeline.
• Blocking/Reporting: Tired of hearing from a particular member at RPLS.com? You will be able to block them and even report them to admins. Additionally, you’ll be able to report discussions, activity, and other content, with a process where you can tell us WHY you are reporting it.
• Browser Notifications (aka “push” notifications): Want to be notified when your post gets a reply? You’ll be able to allow browser notifications, so you will know when something is going on at RPLS.com, even if you aren’t currently at the site.

Whew! There’s more, but that should be enough for now. 🙂