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Topic: PowerSeek vs. Hyperseek and Links SQL |
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imno007 |
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Just want to know if anyone has experience with any of these others and would be willing to share your views on their relative worth. I'm gonna post to the forums for each of these and ask members their opinions, so please share with me why you think PowerSeek is better (or not) than these other two products.
Much appreciated!
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Total Posts: 74 | Joined:
Jun 4, 2003 - 8:38am | IP
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imno007 |
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Well, I have to say the lack of response isn't very encouraging. I've had 7 responses so far in the Links forums, and 0 here.
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Total Posts: 74 | Joined:
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GegaBit |
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Hi 007,
I would say one day is still too early for everyone that tested the other packages to respond.
I have tested those as well as many other packages that do the same more like 8 months ago, I do not remember too well what I disliked about them, but I know very well what attracted me to Focal's product, I am not sure they can be relevant to you, so here's my formula:
First off there must be a killer feature that you cannot do without, then follow the rest of other features, I am yet to see such wealth of features as in PSeek, or even TurboSeek (the older version) married with lack of complexity to setup and manage.
Then the most important issue (which is what I was sold on) was the Spirit of their support, not too many vendors will fix it when it is broken or not logical, and too many would waive you out saying that their product is not made for this purpose, or your request needs a special customization and end the matter there, the response time, as well as the tone of the current users is a good indicator.
I do not think the price should count as an important factor, for if it does, I personally think PSeek should sell at double its price  Focal guys I am kidding ! 
Good luck 007, its not easy I know, but you will have to start with a list of your own priorities and expectations.
Sorry for the long article of vendor selection.
GegaBit |
Total Posts: 168 | Joined:
Mar 17, 2003 - 12:28pm | IP
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imno007
Member
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Thanks, GegaBit. Here's a few things that bother me about PS, though, which you might want to address. I posted this elsewhere but you might not have seen it:
1) Lack of Plugins. Worried that Turbo was out so long and there's still so few plugins for it....
2) No globals system.
3) Templates-- you cannot use -include filename.txt or -if something -something endif. etc. Hope you understood that--the code doesn't post so....
Cheers!
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Total Posts: 74 | Joined:
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nsatguy
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Hey 007,
I too took my rounds with a variety of other packages and finally ended up settling for TSEEK as it was the easiest for someone just starting out to understand (litterally took me minutes to set up) and the most painlessly configurable.
Once I was invited to be a part of the beta test group, things only got better. I think the primary reason there were so few plug-ins for TSEEK was due to the Focal Team's efforts on making PSEEK a reality. After all, if I'm not mistaken, PSEEK was created from the many requests for features/functionality, etc. everyone had for TSEEK. With regards to PSEEK plug-ins, so far all plug-in requests by beta testers etc. have actually for the most part been implemented as features in PSEEK. I have never came across a vendor like Focal who actually listened so intently and worked so hard to add feature/functionality requests almost in real time, LOL...
In short as this is getting long winded, this is why I chose PSEEK :
1. Awesome support by Vendor and Users alike.
2. The only package that came "out of the box" with the features and functionality that I required. Sure others have plug-ins, mostly by third parties which may or may not cause you hours of unnecessary stress both trying to implement or repair after they crash! Again not supported by the original Vendor...
3. Promises of only better things to come. If you would like to see it added or may have a custom application - hell just ask!
4. Reliability - so far compared to other applications I am using such as forums etc., I just can't get over how reliable and easy it is to maintain PSEEK. Echoing what Gega stated, what other Vendor do you know of that is willing to take their time to personally access you site to help you through troubled times.
There are so many other reasons but simply put, I have to second Gega's input above!
Well done Focal Team 
- Bruce
http://getawaydestinations.com
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Total Posts: 72 | Joined:
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GegaBit |
Advanced Member
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Shouldn't we be getting like a comission or something for this ?
007 I rechecked my old installations, I don't seem to find your other packages on my home box, so sorry can't help you on those two, I must have thought they are not even worth keeping
Also do not worry about my earlier post of 15 suggestions, if you look on what's implemented they are more than plenty, never the less I see your points as valid. As well as Bruce's points and mine when you read Focal's response to those suggestions.
GegaBit
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Total Posts: 168 | Joined:
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imno007 |
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Well, thanks guys, I certainly have a lot to consider. Of course every where I go people are defending the product they are using and it's hard to sort valid points from personal bias sometimes.
There's no doubt that when I look at PS, it seems like something that would be much easier for me to work with out of the box, so to say, but I'm worried about how "expandable" it is if and when I want to change things. I don't want to be limited up the road in my choices. Links SQL doesn't look as user friendly and I'm a bit worried about the learning curve, but there seems to be a lot of ways to build on it.
If I want a better search engine for PS, is there one available that will be easy to install? If I want a different forum, is there another one available that will be easy for me to install? If I want a PPC system?
(I will say that I was happy when the FM people told me they would implement a tool for importing DMOZ categories in a month or two!)
Give me some more good news!
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Total Posts: 74 | Joined:
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nsatguy |
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Hey 007,
I think that it all boils down to what your application's immediate needs are and what you expect and feel comfortable you may be able to expand on down the road.
So far the Focal Team has completely satisfied my own immediate requirements and have to date been right there as a partner rather than someone looking to make a quick buck off the net. Again, having said that, simply look at the posts I, or other users have made in this forum along with the prompt responses we have recieved and try to make a decision that is best for you. Trying to remain unbiased, review the version/build history and see how well the Focal Team has done at implementing features and functionality. I'm sure you'll be surprised to see that in most cases it hasn't even come close to "months" of waiting around.
As for forums and other applications... (please don't take offence Focal Team)... I am still a firm believer that you should stick to applications that do the job and do it well. For example, I still am a big fan of what the YABB Team has accomplished for a forum application and use Yabb SE on my site. It has proven to be a very well put together app with more features, functionality and pluggins than you can shake a stick at. The only downfall is the number of so called third party pluggins that if you're not careful, can easily take down your boards if not written well. As for loyalty... hey if the Focal Team ever came out with another release for their Forum App that rivaled the features of YABB - hell, i'd switch in a minute. I guess what I'm trying to get out in a long winded way is that you don't necessaryily have to feel tied to one Vendor for all your sites needs. Use PSEEK for all it's glory, whichever forum you select for it's own... and if the apps are all they're cracked up to be, you should be able to seemlessly integrate them all into a complete solution.
Hope this helps,
- Bruce |
Total Posts: 72 | Joined:
Mar 13, 2003 - 7:01pm | IP
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nsatguy |
Member
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Hey 007,
I think that it all boils down to what your application's immediate needs are and what you expect and feel comfortable you may be able to expand on down the road.
So far the Focal Team has completely satisfied my own immediate requirements and have to date been right there as a partner rather than someone looking to make a quick buck off the net. Again, having said that, simply look at the posts I, or other users have made in this forum along with the prompt responses we have recieved and try to make a decision that is best for you. Trying to remain unbiased, review the version/build history and see how well the Focal Team has done at implementing features and functionality. I'm sure you'll be surprised to see that in most cases it hasn't even come close to "months" of waiting around.
As for forums and other applications... (please don't take offence Focal Team)... I am still a firm believer that you should stick to applications that do the job and do it well. For example, I still am a big fan of what the YABB Team has accomplished for a forum application and use Yabb SE on my site. It has proven to be a very well put together app with more features, functionality and pluggins than you can shake a stick at. The only downfall is the number of so called third party pluggins that if you're not careful, can easily take down your boards if not written well. As for loyalty... hey if the Focal Team ever came out with another release for their Forum App that rivaled the features of YABB - hell, i'd switch in a minute. I guess what I'm trying to get out in a long winded way is that you don't necessaryily have to feel tied to one Vendor for all your sites needs. Use PSEEK for all it's glory, whichever forum you select for it's own... and if the apps are all they're cracked up to be, you should be able to seemlessly integrate them all into a complete solution.
Hope this helps,
- Bruce |
Total Posts: 72 | Joined:
Mar 13, 2003 - 7:01pm | IP
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imno007 |
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Did you have any problems installing YaBB with PS? Any other 3rd party tools you use with PS?
Any good options for search engines? PPC?
Thanks, I appreciate the feedback.
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Total Posts: 74 | Joined:
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