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Re: Important Changes To Engineer Search
Sorry, it’s labelled as “Appliances” where you see it, I see it a little different in admin.
K.
Re: Important Changes To Engineer Search
Map changed, search getting updated.
We had to change to the new Google API so it now looks like the weather report. 😕
On the upside, it’s loads faster.
With the volume of entries it was getting slow, which ha been a problem for a lot of people and hence the API change.
Stay tuned, more to come. 😉
K.
Re: Important Changes To Engineer Search
It looks a bit wierd ATM, if I enter a basic Oldham post code OL2 the first entry is always a company in Burnley. 😥
Also on the map where Shaw is there is just a round blue disc with 2 in the middle, click on this and all you get is a totally blank, green screen with the blue disc in the middle. 😕
Jim.
Re: Important Changes To Engineer Search
Yes, it’s a bug in the Google API from what we can fathom. Hopefully one that will be resolved soon enough as it’s just a bit weird. That said, where it works it does work well.
Essentially it will display a “group” within the postcode district so, if you happen to have another map point in the same locale then it groups or clusters them together.
However, when you search, even although the clusters are displayed the same, the details displayed are correct.
Problem is we had no option but to switch as I expanded the database because the server load was just getting stupid, slowing down the entire site and taking too long to load up all the map points making the search, which is after all the primary function, slow and therefore cumbersome to use.
The code was trying to pull and load all 1700 or so repairers every time the page got a hit. That’s a lot of server power and you ended up with it loading chunks of data, slowly.
Apart from which, as a side note, it stops others from pinching my data. 😉
K.
Re: Important Changes To Engineer Search
I did try one or two other blue discs and some of those did work, still Rome wasn’t built in a day. 8)
And TBH , I don’t mind vanishing into a green haze, I am taking you know who with me. 😉
Re: Important Changes To Engineer Search
We’ll sort it, it’s just not exactly No1 on the to-do list right now.
On another note, I added some stuff today to the appliances bit.
K.
Re: Important Changes To Engineer Search
Ken, first off can I first offer my thanks and express my gratitude for the stalwart effort you have put into this venture. For virtually bu$$er all reward you have slaved over this amazing FREE facility of your own free will just so that us indies can benefit. Your efforts duly noted and applauded, and I for one thank you very much. 😀
Secondly, having paused for you to absorb the praise……. 8)
The new format works that’s for sure. At last I’m getting more feed-back from it (I know so ‘cos I ask each time a new customer calls me)… The thing is….I’ve been puzzling of late why I’m getting so so many calls for appliances I don’t fix (i.e fridges and gas stuff) and having interrogated a few callers have realised the reason for this..
…when they ‘Find An Engineer’ is shows ALL the brands and ALL the types of appliances from the list with all the green ticks. 🙁
Find An Engineer wrote:Please be aware that not all engineers will repair all products.
Yes indeed, they don’t read the small print do they? :rolls:
P.S If you check the search stats on my postcode areas I think fridges are the more popular service request. And there’s nobody around here I can recommend they contact either. Who the hell to give it to thats reliable is open to question. 😈
Re: Important Changes To Engineer Search
Thanks Martin.
I know, there’s a few things that aren’t just the way I want as yet but it’s a work in progress, probably always will be as you learn something new every day.
The trouble is that, if the customer doesn’t use the search and only uses the map we can’t really control what they do there. Of course, if they use the thing properly then it’s not an issue but, I can understand it if they don’t.
We’ve toyed with the idea of small symbols and all sorts but you’re limited as to just how much info you can put on the map “more info” thingy bob that pops up so it’s a bit of a pain ATM. I’m sure we’ll come up with something eventually though, just what at this point though, your guess is as good as mine.
K.
Re: Important Changes To Engineer Search
TBH Ken, and looking at it in the grand sheme of things, having all brands and all types of products listed and ticked is no bad thing. In fact in many ways it can be to everyones advantage to have everything listed in this way. At least then we all get new customer enquiries from it and can deal with them accordingly. OK it’s a bit of a fag telling folks I don’t fix fridges and stuff like that, but at least it shows that the engineer search works.
Well, works for me anyways, so again for that I thank you….now take the rest of the day off, why not, you’ve earned it. :clown:
Re: Important Changes To Engineer Search
I’ve added PAT Testing to the engineer search as a product/service as I know a number of us do offer this as a service.
To find out how to alter it, see this post:
viewtopic.php?f=23&t=66525&start=45#p328854
To find out how to get on there (as I keep getting asked because nobody reads the stuff that’s there to help ;)) see this post:
K.
Re: Important Changes To Engineer Search
Apart from some people missing loads of jobs, I just had to put this one up as it’s an instant classic…
Job sent to one of the guys for a Gorenje washing machine with the fault reported as: Wife not Know how to use please teach
😆
K.
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