What happened to our lovely forum site, Surveyor Connect?

We're still learning about the requirements for the server to make this new site run better. I've been tweaking the server for many days and it has been improving little by little.

I'm sorry you miss the old forum. But we had outgrown that software and it was painful to post or even view threads because it was beyond maxed out. Posting sometimes took 30 seconds for the post to actually submit.

Orange is a pretty standard color used in construction-related professions. This site actually uses considerably less orange than the old site. I understand what you are saying though, so I will take it under advisement, as well as any other comments that are made here in this context. I'm always open to feedback and constructive criticism.

I agree that the search system isn't the best. Once we get core issues ironed out a little more, I will be working on improving search. Searching is very taxing on the server and database, since it is having to scan 600k posts for the information you are trying to find. There are better ways than the current default -- which is why that is on the roadmap.

And then there's the costs associated with keeping this site online and running. We have to do something to increase revenue. With the old SC software being maxed out, we were spending several hundred dollars per month just for the server, security, software, etc. and I couldn't add new features without making things worse. At least now, with the same level of expense, we have the ability to introduce new features and offer membership levels (coming soon). Donations are great (and much appreciated!), but they only cover a tiny fraction of the actual expenses. I've been paying for 90% of everything out of my own pocket since 2010 simply because I love the surveying profession. This new website also allows for some great opportunities for vendors and advertisers.

All that said, this is the final try to make this something that can at least break even. I'm not looking to get rich or even make a living with RPLS.com -- I just want it to be viable in every aspect without being such a burden on my pocketbook. If it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out. But let's hope it does because I love this place and it would break my heart to see it go away.

I made my company logo orange and green. I guess this means I'll get angrier customers than normal? Haha

Not only angry, but jealous too!

Be prepared to take on all the angry locals, fighting with their neighbors, as your primary clients!

Orange is the colour of a hug from a sunrise that warms your soul with its embrace, whispering in your ear that today is going to be the best day of your life.

Orange is the colour of your friend noticing that you're feeling down and telling you that they love you, just because you need it.

The feeling of the morning sun, with the first coffee of the day in your hand gently steaming, as you look up with your eyes closed and feel the warmth of the new day on your face. With a deep breath, you embrace the possibilities of what's to come.

That said, I'm pretty sure that a brand new site of this size has got to have a settling period where all the gremlins are worked out. I'm so happy to have a resource like this that I'll do whatever I can to help all the staff do what they need to get things banging on all cylinders. I'm sure there's several people working on this.

When I first come to the site, I'm shown a page with all the latest happenings, not anything to do with purchasing anything. Maybe you're seeing something else? If you want to drop in on a specific page, you can make a shortcut for that page. I do that for a few sites I visit on the regular.

Wendell, not sure I wanted a 'social media' site, just discussion with other surveyors mostly on professional issues. Just hope it works out for the best of all. I don't do facebook or other social platforms and I do not want my information/cookies shared with someone I do not know or have a relationship with. Not sure how I fit in as a member of the current platform.

You are always welcome here. 🙂

We don't share your information with anyone nor do we sell it. It's no different than the SurveyorConnect site, in that regard. That will never change.

Furthermore, you are not required to use all of the features, i.e. if you just want to participate in forums, than you can focus there. There's certainly no requirement to use all the stuff just because it's there. 🤠

sometimes when I log in I am asked about cookies and toggles to opt out but only for certain vendors. How can I opt out of all vendors from having access to my information?

I have no problem if I click on something and the host gets credit.

How can I minimize my exposure? How can I be incognito except my user name?

Yeah, I didn't really like the privacy/cookies policy implementations so I changed them. It should be a little less daunting.

For more anonymity, you can also edit your profile to change who sees most fields. Under each field, it shows you who can see it... click the "change" link next to it to change it to something else. If you set it to "only me", then only you can see that particular field. You can adjust most of the fields in this way, then be sure to save your profile.

https://app.screencast.com/E1F4g1SVlOZHT

Not sure where to put this following question.

Does anyone here have a clue as to who these people are?

Wendell, Angel & Jr?

You are awesome!! Thank you for your dedication. I can understand outmoded code... run into it myself on occasion. Never got notified you had responded - got a notification today for something else - but I do (belatedly) appreciate your response, Wendell.

Namaste,

Su

I surveyed a large commercial site for a woman and her only comment was: Red, red, red. Too much red!

(I use red for my text in AutoCAD.)

Thanks, Wonder Woman! 🙂