Support

First, let me say what a fantastic program/platform you all have developed. Second, my needs may not be inline with the target audience for Wild Apricot (not a non-profit). So far it looks like WA can handle almost all of the backend for any application I develop that requires user sign ups, and do that very well. It is great that the widgets/iframe allows this to be done with another website.  I would love to eventually use it for actual directory searches as well but right now the search options are too limited. What I would love to see are:

Advanced Search:

1. Pre-populate the advanced search with more than one field

2. The default search field that appears initially seems to have to be the first  field in the database. It would be fantastic to be able to change that since it does not always make sense it is also tied to the order of the questions asked on the membership application signup. It would be great to have control the order of both the application questions and the initial advanced search fields.

3. More parameter logic (not sure if I am using this term correctly) but more than just "is" and "contains"

4. Monthly billing option (not a huge issue, but it would be nice)

5. An API. I get the sense others have talked about this and it is in development but security issues are slowing it down. Totally understand, but let me just add my self to the group hoping to get this eventually. I would love to combine Wild Apricot with Deki Wiki, and an API would make this an extremely powerful CMS combination. In fact I am smiling just thinking about how powerful and EASY the two would be.

 I am sure I will think of other things, and I realize that a general program like this can not be all things to all people. Best of luck with the continued development. I can not wait to see what new and wonderful features you all build.
 

I left out my biggest wish of all:

To be able to differentiate the profiles that appear for different levels of membership. i.e. a paid member has access to more fields including pictures, directory listing information, ect.
 

This is very good to know as we have been mulling over about a feature like this for a while, but did not seem to have many clients explicitly asking for it.

We currently have two possible implementation ideas in mind:

1) In 'Customize member database fields' section have ability to define for each section that it only applies/should be visible to level X

2) Stop altogether explaining this to users in terms of database fields and instead allow to customize member application/profile form for each member level separately. Database fields will be generated automatically as needed.

Any comments?

 

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Dmitry Buterin, Chief Apricot

Hi, this is great feedback, very useful and timely as we are doing a quarterly review of the roadmap (we do it every few weeks but quarterly on a more global scale).

In fact, we will be going away from insisting that we are only for non-profits. We do have many non-profit clients - but also many other kinds of clubs, communities, membership websites etc.

Let me comment on your points:

1,2. yes, this is in the roadmap and your vote will count to move it up.

Order of the application questions -  you should be able to do it right now, simply drag-drop fields in 'Customize database fields' screen. Or am I missing something?

3. Noted. Anything specific you have in mind?

4. On the roadmap, we plan to release in Q4

5. On the roadmap. Most probably Q1-Q2 2008 but if we can define first simple step we might release this limited scope sooner. What kind of API would you need for DekiWiki? To check authorization ?

 

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Dmitry Buterin, Chief Apricot

Thanks for the quick response. Just commenting on these things you asked:

1. What I was referring to, and maybe I am missing something, is that it seems like I can change the order of the fields in the Customize database screen. However, the order that those are set determines the order for both the Advanced Search page (whichever field is first in the database is first in the Advanced search) and the online application. 
2. 
   
3. A parameter for dealing with dates (great than, less than).
4. Excellent
5. My understanding of Deki Wiki is pretty limited as we are still evaluating it. But it has great "live feeds" (I think that is what they are calling it) that basically enable the program to make calls to 3rd party applications. In this case the Deki platform would act as a CMS for everything except membership management which Wild Apricot does infinitely better than any major CMS program. I will send you a private message better explaining what I am talking about.
   

 

I think either option sounds good, though 2. sounds better. I don't know if this is that important to most organizations, but for our business model standing out in the directory is worth paying for, and having more ways to be "found" by someone searching is a big factor in someone signing up as well. But I think our needs are different than most in that we are using the directory for people who are looking for say a doctor, lawyer, banker, teacher, whatever. I understand that may not be really what the platform is designed for, and yet it is very close to being a great solution for just such a thing.
 

Thanks, makes total sense.

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Dmitry Buterin, Chief Apricot

1. OK, understood.

3. Yes, this is on our roadmap

5. sounds good.
 

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Dmitry Buterin, Chief Apricot

Moving to another forum - this addresses a number of questions and we try to keep each thread in Wishlist forum focused on specific enhancements (and there are separate threads for many items mentioned here).

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Dmitry Buterin, Chief Apricot