When did RCSC approve the web site redesign? DATES please. FACT not opinion. Dates Please When was a vendor commissioned to create new web site? FACT not opinion. Dates Please When contractually was the new web site to be delivered and functional?. NOT BETA. FACT – not opinion. DATES PLEASE. What is/was the Drop Dead Date for delivery and implementation of the new web site? FACT – NOT opinion. What are the penalties to the vendor for not meeting those dates? FACT – NOT opinion, Backed up by data. Where does the new web site stand today? What are the penalties for failure to meet contract?
Awesome!!! I have been asking same since May 2024 when our IT team "upgraded" the site and it was announced that a company had been hired for $300k to fix it.
SCR, I went to the posted minutes of the OCC and going back to January of this year, it’s noted the site was having issues, but additional updates were requested. Review/Amend Prior Meeting Summary: The December 19, 2024 Summary was accepted as presented. Discussion Items: Discussion on the usability of our new website. The joint meetings will continue till March due to some scheduling slippage. We’re also in the process of fixing some basic imbedded licensing issues for a few club issues on our current web site. We want some of the core functionalities of our current page back. Vendor Tallwave is helping us with that. A Technology Committee update. We’re working on making changes to handle the incoming higher speed bandwidth based on the new fiber feed and throughput from Cox. We need an in-house YouTube recording, editing, and posting skillset identified to record and post the upcoming new web site member training modules. We may have the skills in house already. The issue to discuss and decide upon is what is the right training video format. Most of our users use their cell phones to access our web site. We need to address all three known learning modes. We could foresee a self- learning intuitive web site as a solution. The first login by any member will use the member number and then learn and save your personal preferences from that point forward. We also want to make password change easier. Randy will show us some of his training modules work from his past to help with training It’s also noted there was a need for in-house support. Adding staff members will cause delays. There is no drop dead deadline as the need was so large in scope, the vendor has the ability to build, develop, integrate and amend as needed to meet the needs of the community. That is not fiction, but a fact. Please feel free to review the notes posted on the RCSC website for a concise discussion as to work performed.
In case you didn't see it above. I suggest contacting Director Nettesheim and/or Acting GM, Mike Dirmyer. Or, attend the Exchange next week and ask your question there. The answer will be taped and on UTube. Jean
Just a thought, but as a resident who pays an annual assessment fee why should we be the ones to call to find out information that should be reported to us on a regular basis? What does the communications department do? 15 months is a long time to be upgrading a website. I was told it's not an easy task due to the age of the current site and trying to incorporate new technology into the ancient system we have. I guess I don't understand why SCW has such an awesome interactive site and we have a dinosaur. Think I'll check some other SC websites.
You are correct, it should not take 15 months. Up[grading the existing web site is completely different than writing new code for a brand new web site. Excuses are being made for a vendors inability to deliver. Maybe they should contact SCW to see who their web site provider is. Our web site needs a complete new resdesign and implementation. 300k to try and make old technology work in the old web site is a waste of time. Higher speed bandwidth should have nothing to do with web site design and implementation. As a user with limited vision, cell phone access is totally useless. Not everyone uses a cell phone to access the web site. As a side note, Smart Phones have actually made us DUMBER. A Result of the lack of technology improvements in Sun City. If a web site is developed for 300k by a vendor, they should be responsible for all updates and maintenance. There should be no need for in-house IT professionals to maintain a site developed by an 300k vendor. So far I have had no responses on any of the above questions on the original post. Make all the excuses you want, but excuses are not getting it done. I will be submitting my questions to the current board members but fully expect NO ANSWERS.
I have suggested that many times. Someone said in another post: "Living in Sun City, do you feel like you are the owner of all we have and enjoy, or, do you feel like you/we are just paying the bills?" My answer to that question was just paying the bills. I am rethinking that answer. Where is the $300k and what am I paying for?
SCR From your original post, I posted information as it was written. Bill Pearson followed up with his information. Cox Communications brought in all new fiber optics to every center. This entails additional cabling, equipment upgrades, and installation of new peripherals. This vendor is not merely upgrading, but is building a new system to make the new website user friendly with better connectivity and interface improvements. The RCSC had NOTHING to upgrade, it’s taking a new product with its own language and functionality and making it work with TEG and import other applications needed for historical data. Again, this is new technology and functionality being added with addenda being developed to make the systems compatible. When developing and designing special applications for a particular application it takes time. The belief that having IT services is not necessarily is just not true. Every single software application needs attention to keep it current and meeting the need to be consistent with emerging technology and language development. These systems are dynamic, not static. Today’s software and technology demands focus to stay relevant, otherwise we end up where we were before.
Putting lipstick on a pig doesn’t make the pig any better. It will require more and more lipstick. ‘Discussion on the usability of our new website. The joint meetings will continue till March due to some scheduling slippage. We’re also in the process of fixing some basic imbedded licensing issues for a few club issues on our current web site. We want some of the core functionalities of our current page back. Vendor Tallwave is helping us with that.“ is the 300k giving us a completely new website? Facts please. If we have outdated apps those apps must be recreated to conform to today’s standards. I’ve sent my questions to the BOd and fully expect no response as the web site redo has languished Due to excuses. Excuses. Do Not get the issues resolved - they just cost us more money. You can make all the excuses you want, bur\t there is still no NEW website.
Josie, You are familiar with the use of data hubs? They are usually designed and built for use for large networks requiring multiple network locations in order to provide the data services. I used to install them in buildings, long before the advent of wireless access and the reconfigured size of newer, more efficient devices. The RCSC has installed them at each center. Building the needed infrastructure for the network to work simultaneously at each location. And do it at 3G capacity while maintaining system integrity. Once installed, there’s a need to make sure the equipment and system works correctly and in harmony with the needs of the newly constructed website. The premier issues are the need to integrate the TEG system for golf and also import some proprietary information to the new system. As someone who has a degree in computer science, I can assure you, what I tell you is the best information to offer. When the RCSC abandoned the network in place, what was left was a skeleton of a system that truly needed replacing. It needed replacing when I was on the board, but placing technology on the table was not to be. This system has floundered for years, so when it was finally decided it’s time to do something, that something was to seek a solution with a new vendor who would take on the complete overhaul of an existing system. New network, new equipment, new software and designing software to bridge the old TEG system into a new and different language. I was one of the folks who was critical of the timeline and the delays. I also reviewed some of the systems being implemented and discovered the new language required and how it needed to work with new hardware installed. New fiber optic connections needed to be installed, creating new home runs for the network. Testing and retesting for verification of the data congruence. No, I wasn’t onsite, I know this from having done this type of work. I know how tedious it becomes to keep after the same data signal until it’s perfect. But most of all, I know all the this takes time. It requires manual and thorough analysis from a skilled programmer or two to make this all come together. No, not lipstick on a pig, just the truth of today’s technology and network management and connectivity. This is the result of not maintaining what you have and making sure it’s kept consistent with the current technology. Based upon my own experience in the telecommunications industry for 30 years.
So who is this new vendor that is bringing 21st century technology to the RCSC? Why only 3G? The entire nation is now at 5G and heading to 6G. The speed of the network backbone has nothing to do with the development of a NEW website. Designing new software to bridge an old and antiquated system (TEG) into a NEW website is neither cost efficient or recommended. It just promotes ongoing maintenance issues with an old system. Links in the new website to the OLD TEG system will suffice till a replacement is found for TEG. Again - where is the NEW 300k website?
I noted that the centers are now 3G. Any idea why? Could it be that the existing wiring in the walls is over 30 years old in some instances, and rewiring and retrofitting 10 and 12 gauge copper wiring to make it work like 6G is not practical? The new network is 5G compatible. 6G is not yet an industry standard, but with ongoing regular upgrades to the system, a maintained and monitored network can easily transition to the next generation of software system. I will reiterate my previous comment. TEG is the only vendor with software that accommodates 5somes. There were numerous upgrades needed to bring the software current, but in doing the needed upgrades to TEG, it became incompatible with the new technology. Hence, a retooling was needed to make it work. TEG remains the only solution for scheduling five-somes, so keeping up with the desires of the golf community, TEG is the only solution available for what the RCSC needs to deploy. To purchase additional software by another company to replace the TEG system is more expensive and not easily incorporated into the RCSC System. During the next TRI-Arc presentation, there will be live feed available to view and participate in the presentation. This is a very significant step forward in terms of quality and performance of the new technology. It’s also an exciting prospect for the release of the new website. Still can’t tell you a date for release, but I expect it to be soon and will be with great fanfare
Just an FYI. 3g, 4g, 5g, and 6g are all cellular technology speeds. As far as I know the RCSC does not own or rent cellular tower use. What new technology is/was TEG not compatible with? Instead of trying to make an antiquated system fit a NEW website, how about using the new vendor (whoever that is) to create new software that supports 5 somes. I'd be willing to bet that even TEG has no desire to rewrite their software. Web site coding practices still use the same way to code sites. HTML and 2 others I believe. They may support newer functions, but wed site coding has not really changed in the last 20 years. Fiber is the backbone of the network. Fiber was installed to provide greater transmission speeds between the centers. Has nothing to do with the creation of a new web site. Backbone speed is usually dependent on corporation size and need. How is a live feed (streaming) a prospect for the release of the new website? Also, I'll wait to see how that plays out and how members will be able to participate. A year and a half to create a web site with no completion date and at a cost of 300k is unacceptable. Can you tell me what the budget is for Technology? It appears that NO ONE can say when the new site will be available - unacceptable. Emailed all the directors with my questions above and no answers yet.
SCR I have provided true data with integrity and transparency. I have read the reports provided by both committees and offered this information on this site, delivered in a way to make it clear and accurate as possible. My network background helped me understand the issues and personal experience gave me the opportunity to share the information on this site in a readable and informative manner. I understand the network as I installed SS7 when it was first launched. I learned then taught others how to manage the network and program and monitor the SS7. That platform is still the primary source for data transmission, up to and including cellular connectivity. Their maybe T1’s and T3’s running through out the various network infrastructure but it still works on a unique backbone. The languages developed all eventually support the same outcome, user interface with appropriate connectivity. Please attend the meeting and ask your questions. I have done my best to read the committee reports and offer fact based answers and analysis. I also added personal experience into the mix to further illustrate the demands being made for the new website to come to fruition. My experience is not an anecdotal evidence but factual information based upon skills and abilities. The network in place today was built by those of us on the leading edge of the computer era. Placement of the equipment and integrating into the SS7 network was difficult and done over many years. Today, it’s usually referred to as the cloud. I will stop responding as I feel that no matter what I offer to you for information, you are still going to refer to me and my efforts as lipstick on a pig.
Personally, I think everybody should just hold their water. Stop the judgment, criticism and speculations and just wait to see the final product. Until we see what $300,000 has bought us we have no reason to complain. Just my opinion!
At the second last posted Technology minutes (04/17/25) The new web site is delayed till late May. Still no new web site. Still waiting to hear from the BOD. So much for transparency. Overused word.
FYI, maybe you should take your advice regarding the By-laws revision as you have been harping on this since the committee was chosen. You will have plenty of time to do a deep dive into the revisions. There should be plenty of time at both town halls to have any concerns addressed.
