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Has this site Improved or gotten worse?

  • 1.  Has this site Improved or gotten worse?

    Posted 11-15-2021 10:06
    Maybe need a training video. I have no clue what is going on.

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    Fred Schwartz
    Quality One Engravers Inc
    Rancho Cucamonga CA
    909.989.3898
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    Crystal Awards


  • 2.  RE: Has this site Improved or gotten worse?

    Posted 11-15-2021 11:10

    This format is 1,000% better than the previous.  I spent a little time discovering where things were at and how the core navigation worked.  I had it down in no time.  As a moderator I am able to easily start new discussions from the home page into any of the communities.  It is great that I am able to check in throughout the day to see everything that is new.   I haven't missed a thing since day one.  I couldn't say that with our previous format.

    Like any software you will need to take some time to learn it.  If you need more details there is some help in the FAQ section. https://m2mforum.awardspersonalization.org/faq 



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    David Takes
    Expressions Engraved
    Saint Joseph, MO
    816.344.9421
    ------------------------------

    Crystal Awards


  • 3.  RE: Has this site Improved or gotten worse?

    Posted 11-16-2021 10:13
    IMHO, it's a huge improvement! Whew!

    Not a bad idea for someone to put together a training video/webinar, though.

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    Jeanette Brewer-Richardson CRS
    Engraving Concepts LP
    Arlington TX
    817.460.8122
    www.engravingconcepts.com
    jeanette@engravingconcepts.com
    ------------------------------

    Crystal Awards


  • 4.  RE: Has this site Improved or gotten worse?

    Posted 11-17-2021 08:13
    Fred for a techie like yourself this should be a no brainer. There is a getting started guide right here, but just a little exploration should get you up and running in no time. This platform is night and day an improvement and we are thrilled with the overwhelming positive response.

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    Lisa Higginbotham CRM
    Owner
    FiveStar Awards & Engraving
    Cary NC
    919.954.1130
    fivestarawards.net
    lisah@fivestarawards.net
    ------------------------------

    Crystal Awards


  • 5.  RE: Has this site Improved or gotten worse?

    Posted 11-17-2021 10:56
    I do have to agree with Fred. For the moderators, you may have a little more time than some of us to play around on the site. (that is NOT meant to be offensive at all so please do not take it that way). I placed a post last month asking a question and to date, I cannot find my post to see if others replied. I only saw one reply a few days after it was posted. 
    I am a HUGE fan of being an APA member and how the forum has helped me in the past but the new forum is a little hard to navigate for someone that only has a few minutes to look.

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    DJ Brown
    Tacoma Trophy
    Lakewood WA
    253.302.5566
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    Crystal Awards


  • 6.  RE: Has this site Improved or gotten worse?

    Posted 11-17-2021 11:13
    i agree
    just can not adjust to the new set up

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    Terry Hall
    Larrys Trophies & Awards Inc
    Spartanburg SC
    864.582.0106
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    Crystal Awards


  • 7.  RE: Has this site Improved or gotten worse?

    Posted 11-17-2021 11:14
    If it was placed last month, that was in the forum that preceded this one. IIRC, we kicked off this new platform on Nov1.

    PS I don't believe we have access to the info from the former platform any longer so if you're still looking for that item, re-post it again and I think you'll see that those replies are much easier to find/see in this platform.


    Jeanette Brewer-Richardson, CRS
    Company Administrator at Engraving Concepts LP
    Phone  817-460-8122 Ext. 201 
    Email  jeanette@engravingconcepts.com 
    Website  http://www.engravingconcepts.com/ 
    Sign up for our newsletter here



    Crystal Awards


  • 8.  RE: Has this site Improved or gotten worse?

    Posted 11-17-2021 11:49
    Edited by David Takes 11-17-2021 11:54

    It really comes down to a person's willingness to learn where things are at.  It is no different than me learning Fusion 360 for product design and Vectric Aspire software to run a CNC machine.  If I want to get the most value out of the software I have to be willing to take the time to learn where things are at and how everything is interrelated.  The more I am willing to commit to learning the software the more valuable the software becomes to me and my business.

    I have to take a little offense to your comment because disclaimers don't always exempt a person from the impact of the words they choose to write.  Fortunately, I know you and we have had very friendly helpful conversations in the past.  I appreciate you very much.  As a moderator, it isn't that I have more time, it's that the forum is something I prioritize a little higher than others may.   Hang out with me for a week and you will re-evaluate how much work you are capable of getting done.  Heck, this might be a good discussion topic.  What is a realistic expectation for an employee's production?  Yesterday, I created 95 acrylic awards and etched two very expensive cut crystal trophies ($400 & $900).  Outside of that I answered every phone call, greeted every customer, returned all emails, entered the day's new inventory, entered invoices, then cut checks for the day, as I do every day, so at no point do I ever have an outstanding invoice.  With my free time I check in on the forum.  As my wife jokingly asks in the morning on occasion, "Are you going to have a pretty light day today?"  She knows better.



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    David Takes
    Expressions Engraved
    Saint Joseph, MO
    816.344.9421
    ------------------------------

    Crystal Awards


  • 9.  RE: Has this site Improved or gotten worse?

    Posted 12-02-2021 09:39
    DJs content

    I was able to click on your name and find all the content you've posted on this forum to date. 

    It wasn't terrible difficult on their mobile layout.  Imo everything is an adjustment.  

    I like how fast this forum loads and the features seem well suited for our industry.

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    Daniel Bencsik
    Bux-Mont Awards & Engraving Services
    Sellersville PA
    215.257.5432
    ------------------------------

    Crystal Awards


  • 10.  RE: Has this site Improved or gotten worse?

    Posted 12-03-2021 14:01
    believe the disconnect here might be that the post DJ is referencing was in our last forum. I'd recommend re-posting it here (in the new, as of 11/1, forum) if still needed, DJ.

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    Jeanette Brewer-Richardson CRS
    Engraving Concepts LP
    Arlington TX
    817.460.8122
    www.engravingconcepts.com
    jeanette@engravingconcepts.com
    ------------------------------

    Crystal Awards


  • 11.  RE: Has this site Improved or gotten worse?

    Posted 11-17-2021 12:36
    Edited by Debbie Susdorf 11-17-2021 12:36
    I think with any new change whether it's software, equipment or a process, it can be an adjustment at first. The more you log in and explore, the easier it becomes. I do feel like more people are logging in now, posting messages and receiving replies than the previous format. I'm definitely not an expert but try to log in every day as I'm able.

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    Debbie Susdorf
    Netsoft Studio, LLC
    Director of Sales & Marketing
    Carlsbad CA
    775.996.1343
    dsusdorf@bizwiziq.com
    ------------------------------

    Crystal Awards


  • 12.  RE: Has this site Improved or gotten worse?

    Posted 11-23-2021 09:41
    I do believe new software was necessary, however at what cost? 

    The way I understand it, the association just 'killed' the old forum.
    Poof, it's just gone, years of valuable, searchable information just gone. 

    That's just horrible to throw all that away. Was there no possible way to archive that info?




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    Mike Avena
    Avco Key
    East Northport NY
    631.261.6453
    ------------------------------

    Crystal Awards


  • 13.  RE: Has this site Improved or gotten worse?

    Posted 11-23-2021 11:23

    I am sure all of that data is still available.  As an Association, we have to decide if we want to invest in what would be required to put that data in a searchable format, then develop an effective tool that users can and will use to search the archives.  I personally believe that all of that information is still available right here on this new forum by simply asking the question.  I read every single post on our original forum.  To the extent of my ability to retain that information, I feel we can get all of the same questions answered here.  The benefit to that is that the information will be on our current software and also shared with new members in one place.



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    David Takes
    Expressions Engraved
    Saint Joseph, MO
    816.344.9421
    ------------------------------

    Crystal Awards


  • 14.  RE: Has this site Improved or gotten worse?

    Posted 12-06-2021 08:43
    I have given it a month to adjust. I'm out, it's impossible

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    Karl Scheife
    Competitor Awards and Engraving
    Hartland WI
    262.369.5800
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    Crystal Awards


  • 15.  RE: Has this site Improved or gotten worse?

    Posted 12-06-2021 11:05

    Karl,

    What is it that you are struggling with?  We would hate to see you abandon ship when I feel this software is so much easier to navigate then our previous one.    



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    David Takes
    Expressions Engraved
    Saint Joseph, MO
    816.344.9421
    ------------------------------

    Crystal Awards


  • 16.  RE: Has this site Improved or gotten worse?

    Posted 12-06-2021 11:31
    I can rarely find discusion posts.  When I go to the tab it shows a couple out of 61.  Still no supplier index that is useable.  I would need to know a name.  No supplier index that list suppliers by what they supply.  While I'm sure it is no longer complete, I still use my 2006 buyers guide for that.  That was the last year it was offered.  Biggest mistake you guys made, it was the most heavily used reference I ever used.  The biggest reason I am a member is to find suppliers, and what they offer.  Asking people on a forum is not even close to efficient.  Reason #2 to belong would be the show.  I don't think anyone there wants my unmasked, un vaccinated self there.  Last year was the first year since 1989 I did not attend.  Looks like this year is shaping up to be the same.​

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    Karl Scheife
    Competitor Awards and Engraving
    Hartland WI
    262.369.5800
    ------------------------------

    Crystal Awards


  • 17.  RE: Has this site Improved or gotten worse?

    Posted 12-10-2021 07:25

    Hey Karl, not sure the supplier search was ever part of the M2M Forum. There is a supplier / product search on the APA website, CLICK HERE for a link to the page.  

    As for additional posts in a community, at the bottom of the 4-5 post you see, there is a "more" button that you click to see all the post in the community you are in

    Hope that helps



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    Niels Norby
    775.996.1343 EXT1
    www.netsoftstudio.com
    ------------------------------

    Crystal Awards


  • 18.  RE: Has this site Improved or gotten worse?

    Posted 12-10-2021 14:15
    Hi Karl,
    The only way I have found to display the posts from all categories is to click on BROWSE at the very top of the page then click discussion posts. Here it will list all discussions in chronological order. After reading a post and replies however clicking back to discussions DOES NOT bring you back to the page that lists everything. Once again you need to click browse and discussions for the whole list to populate.

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    Kristine Petersen
    Lake Havasu City AZ
    928.855.0047
    ------------------------------

    Crystal Awards


  • 19.  RE: Has this site Improved or gotten worse?

    Posted 12-10-2021 15:05

    Kristine,

    I bookmarked this link.  https://m2mforum.awardspersonalization.org/browse/allrecentposts  That takes me directly to the browse page you referenced in your post.  You may have to click the login button the first time of the day or if your login eventually times out.  In thi sinstance you are able to read a thread then click the back button and it takes you back to the original list.



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    David Takes
    Expressions Engraved
    Saint Joseph, MO
    816.344.9421
    ------------------------------

    Crystal Awards


  • 20.  RE: Has this site Improved or gotten worse?

    Posted 12-17-2021 17:28
    Thanks. I am only answering to see if my signature comes over correctly.

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    Kristine Petersen
    Gold Star Engraving & Awards
    Lake Havasu City AZ
    928.855.0047
    sales@goldstarengraving.com
    ------------------------------

    Crystal Awards