RVillage - Social Networking For RVers - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Howard · Host

RVillage - Social Networking For RVers

cherylbrv · RV-Dreams Family Member

Chris and Cherie - this is really awesome!!! Thank you so much for creating this site. I hope it brings you in tons of money, and I truly look forward to using it and connecting with lots of fellow Dreamers!

Loretta · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks Chris, Cherie, Howard and Linda. Great site. I joined the site and am looking forward to getting together with others.

mpierce · RV-Dreams Family Member

Am VERY interested, we signed up.

I hope there will be a way to keep it up to date. What happens if I log in that I am in Orlando, FL, and then do not update for the next month, and by then I am really in TX?

Events, get to gathers also need to stay current. It is one thing to post an event on June 12, but does it get taken off June 13, so one is not going thru a bunch of outdated events?

I see a LOT of potential, but as in most things, the devil is in the details! I wish it all the luck in the world, as it could be a GREAT asset for the whole RV community.

Technomadia · RV-Dreams Family Member

First of all.. thank you Howard & Linda, your review and detailed article about RVillage has completely humbled us and the entire RVillage team! We are so thrilled at the reception this project is receiving in the RVing community, and it's so wonderful to be able to talk about this project that has been the focus of our lives for the past several months.

To answer mpierce's comments:

> I hope there will be a way to keep it up to date. What happens if I log in that I am in Orlando, FL, and then do not update for the next month, and by then I am really in TX?

Yes.. this is a concern of ours as well, and our development team is working on a way to handle this. The solution may range from poking you by e-mail every so often to make sure your location is current, or even having you set your expected 'check out' date when checking into a new location, and then reminding you to update your location. Our team is considering multiple approaches to this, and it is a high priority for us.

> Events, get to gathers also need to stay current. It is one thing to post an event on June 12, but does it get taken off June 13, so one is not going thru a bunch of outdated events?

The events already do automatically drop off once the date has passed. If you look now however, you do see an event for SXSW that has a date of March 5. This event is actually schedule for March 5-16, and the problem is that we're not displaying the full date range. The event IS current and will disappear after March 16 - and our development team has this display problem on their list to address.

We are super excited by the potential of RVillage. We ran extensive focus groups while we were in Cedar Key during a large convergence of fellow full timers, and ran a preview beta period (that Howard & Linda were part of) last month. We have tons of feedback we're still working through, and things will keep getting better by the day! Our team decided it was better to go ahead and open this up to the public now while we're still smoothing out the rough edges, and involve everyones feedback.

If you'd like to be part of the conversation and suggest features and report problems, be sure to join the 'RVillage Beta Feedback' group on RVillage - our team is listening!

And if you'd like more of the backstory on RVillage, and how we got involved, here's our big announcement about it from earlier this week:
www.technomadia.com/2014/03/introducing-rvillage-com-technomadias-secret-project/

Thank you again for your very warm and inviting reception to this exciting project!!

- Cherie

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

Something like this is a large undertaking. I have been involved with large software projects as a developer, quality assurance and testing (yes, I have ended up fixing many bugs I found myself) and as a manager. The fire hose of bug reports and requests will be strong for a while with the user base expanding so fast. I do not envy Cherie (and Chris) having to deal with those of us who might be a bit critical, but I applaud them. Anyway, RVillage has a lot of potential and as of a few minutes ago has almost 1600 members. That is about 10X the number when I joined. It really is the kind of site that needs lots of members, since connecting people is what it is all about.

Camper Chronicles · RV-Dreams Family Member

Signed up was really cool seeing where people were at.

Alie and Jims Carrilite · RV-Dreams Family Member

Joined today! Thanks guys, it looks to be a great way to find folks you that you have talked to on the web for years but never see in the campground!

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Looks like a great site! Was able to sign up the first day it was announced but site seemed a little buggy. Today I logged back in and things seemed to be working much better, so it's obvious that it is still a work in process but improving daily. Will be fun to see it continue to develop and grow!!

Working for a large IT company I've seen a lot of projects and have a good understanding of what it takes to get this done. I'm with Bill in applauding Cherie and Chris in this HUGE effort!!!

suse1023 · RV-Dreams Family Member

looks great---but i'm dense--where does one sign up?

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

suse1023 wrote:
looks great---but i'm dense--where does one sign up?

http://rvillage.com/ and then click "Join Network".

Penny and Paul · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'm diggin it a lot. Fills a specific niche that I think we can all appreciate. A virtual campfire!

jrzygrl64 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Bill and I are all signed up! Great site!

PIEERE · RV-Dreams Family Member

Signed up yesterday and did a little over-view!! Great site especially for travelers! Thanks Howard, Linda, Cherie and Chris!!!

canuck · RV-Dreams Family Member

Signed up yesterday. There are 8 members in this park already! This looks like a great beginning of a very useful site. I wish it every success in the roll out!

Scott

MarkS · RV-Dreams Family Member

This is a great idea and site.

LibertyLinda · RV-Dreams Family Member

I just got signed up. The site looks very promising. I can't wait for the Android app LOL.

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

I like the site....But it has that... Im Here..I signed up. ok now what feeling......they dont give you a reason to go back. or any instruction on using the site , you get more before you join and your viewing is cut down after as to members .....the map is great but Im with Linda....it would make a better App. so I wouldnt have to go to the site to use it. The site needs more functionality instead of 100 sites within itself.

I understand its in its Beta phase right now and this is what it takes to find what works....but it feels like a big movie set with nothing behind the curtain

-- Edited by Lucky Mike on Sunday 16th of March 2014 10:16:40 AM

PIEERE · RV-Dreams Family Member

I like the site because it is "SIMPLE" to use; like me!!! LOL!!

cherylbrv · RV-Dreams Family Member

Lucky Mike wrote:
...they dont give you a reason to go back. or any instruction on using the site , you get more before you join and your viewing is cut down after as to members....

I'm probably missing a lot here, but my takeaway from the site is the main benefit is being able to locate other RV'ers who may be in your area so you can meet in person. You can find them by belonging to groups you might have something in common with, or by location. Smaller side benefits are forums to share ideas within the groups, park locations and service vendors.

MAX-ANN · RV-Dreams Community Member

This is a great site. Joined a few days ago. I have to admit, I'm not very tech smart. My problem is I can't join any groups. What am I doing wrong? I click on the group and the screen darkens and nothing. Help?

Technomadia · RV-Dreams Family Member

MAX-ANN wrote:
This is a great site. Joined a few days ago. I have to admit, I'm not very tech smart. My problem is I can't join any groups. What am I doing wrong? I click on the group and the screen darkens and nothing. Help?

That's the first we've heard of this problem, and plenty of folks are joining group. What type of device are you using to access RVillage?

Thanks,

- Cherie

Technomadia · RV-Dreams Family Member

Lucky Mike wrote:
I like the site....But it has that... Im Here..I signed up. ok now what feeling......they dont give you a reason to go back. or any instruction on using the site , you get more before you join and your viewing is cut down after as to members .....the map is great but Im with Linda....it would make a better App. so I wouldnt have to go to the site to use it. The site needs more functionality instead of 100 sites within itself.
\
-- Edited by Lucky Mike on Sunday 16th of March 2014 10:16:40 AM

Hi Mike -

Thanks for checking it out. The primary functionality of RVillage is checking into your current location and being able to find like minded RVers around you. Use the Explore map to see who is around, read their profiles and reach out. Plan meet-ups and get-togethers. Join groups with folks of similar interest. Find your existing friends on RVillage and friend them so you can keep track of them on the Explore maps.

The incentive in using the site is making new friends and keeping in touch with existing ones. And as the site grows with more and more RVers on it, there will be more people to meet and more people around. Check back when you move sites and update your location. And keep checking back to see who might have moved in near your location that you might like to reach out to.

Lots and lots of folks are reporting back that they're already meeting people and making real life friends. Two nights ago, and entire meet-up in Austin was organized on RVillage with about 5 different couples, 3 nights ago a meet up between two folks who discovered they were in the same park happened, two old friends already rediscovered each other... and just this evening, we attended a RVillage get together and got to finally meet Linda & Howard in person!

- Cherie

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

I finally joined today after Jesse signed up for beta testing but I don't think took it any further. Agree with Bill Joyce that it's a huge undertaking but bless you ALL for taking it on. Have a few hitches on my ipad but guessing they will smooth out after a while. I didn't see a contact us link anywhere as I have a suggestion?

Chris & Cherie, as complicated as this start up is, be sure and take time to rest up for yourselves!

Sherry

MAX-ANN · RV-Dreams Community Member

Cherie, I am using my laptop. I know it's something easy I'm missing. Just don't know what! lol

TheNewhalls · RV-Dreams Family Member

We joined a couple of days ago and find the site easy to use. We joined a few groups (there are a lot of groups). I like being able to look on a map and see where other like minded RVers are. We're not fulltime yet, but I can see where this will be helpful when we do.

mpierce · RV-Dreams Family Member

Technomadia wrote:

Lucky Mike wrote:

I like the site....But it has that... Im Here..I signed up. ok now what feeling......they dont give you a reason to go back. or any instruction on using the site , you get more before you join and your viewing is cut down after as to members .....the map is great but Im with Linda....it would make a better App. so I wouldnt have to go to the site to use it. The site needs more functionality instead of 100 sites within itself.

\

-- Edited by Lucky Mike on Sunday 16th of March 2014 10:16:40 AM

Hi Mike -

Thanks for checking it out. The primary functionality of RVillage is checking into your current location and being able to find like minded RVers around you. Use the Explore map to see who is around, read their profiles and reach out. Plan meet-ups and get-togethers. Join groups with folks of similar interest. Find your existing friends on RVillage and friend them so you can keep track of them on the Explore maps.

The incentive in using the site is making new friends and keeping in touch with existing ones. And as the site grows with more and more RVers on it, there will be more people to meet and more people around. Check back when you move sites and update your location. And keep checking back to see who might have moved in near your location that you might like to reach out to.

Lots and lots of folks are reporting back that they're already meeting people and making real life friends. Two nights ago, and entire meet-up in Austin was organized on RVillage with about 5 different couples, 3 nights ago a meet up between two folks who discovered they were in the same park happened, two old friends already rediscovered each other... and just this evening, we attended a RVillage get together and got to finally meet Linda & Howard in person!

- Cherie

Can a tutorial be put on? Or, am I missing it? Can I search ALL the groups I signed up for at once? I can go to a group, say RV Dreams, and see where they are at. Then, go to another group, and see where they are. Can I do all my groups at once?

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

OK, Im understanding it a little better......

Technomadia · RV-Dreams Family Member

Can a tutorial be put on? Or, am I missing it? Can I search ALL the groups I signed up for at once? I can go to a group, say RV Dreams, and see where they are at. Then, go to another group, and see where they are. Can I do all my groups at once?

That's been a frequently asked for feature, and we have it on the list as a future development!

- Cherie

PIEERE · RV-Dreams Family Member

I went to the RVillage page for the past 2 hours and some one is working on it or has been spammed or hacked. All my othere pages including RV Dreams are woking properly. Hope it can be corrected!!!!

Technomadia · RV-Dreams Family Member

Yes.. the site is undergoing some maintenance, and for some reason, the development team is unable to get our 'under maintenance' page to load instead. They're working on it!

PIEERE · RV-Dreams Family Member

biggrin biggrin Thanks you Cheri and Chris!!!! My computer did this on other sites many months back. The outcome was either a slow connection; but the computer guy said He thought it got hacked!!!!

Technomadia · RV-Dreams Family Member

RVillage.com is back up! Just an early morning for our development team over there on the west coast. We probably need to increase their coffee budget. :D

MarkS · RV-Dreams Family Member

Cherie, who cares if it works or not, it's still a great site! I've already began stalking people! Did I say that out loud?

Carrie14 · RV-Dreams Community Member

I signed up for RVillage and I like it a lot.

laurly · RV-Dreams Family Member

I think RVillage is a great idea. It's pretty darn cool to be able to see who is nearby, or even in the same state for that matter!

The Hensons · RV-Dreams Family Member

I really love this concept. I think it is going to be a great way to connect people of similar interests on the road. Facebook is losing it's appeal.

waltben · RV-Dreams Family Member

Just signed up and joined two groups. Great website! You think they'll have a smartphone app for it? (Preferably Android!)

Technomadia · RV-Dreams Family Member

Smartphone support and apps are on the roadmap.. for now, we're super focused on getting the website solid. Thanks!

Jac and Phil · RV-Dreams Community Member

I think RVillage is going to be a great addition! Its fun getting in on the ground floor - can't wait to see how it grows and improves with age!! Thanks!!!

folivier · RV-Dreams Family Member

Had our first hookup last week. Had a pm from a very nice couple inviting us to visit. Found out they were from near my home town.
Enjoyed boiled crawfish with them.

Malias Miles · RV-Dreams Community Member

It was actually through the Groups at RVillage that I discovered your forum, so it's already paid off for me! In fact, in my own review of RVillage, your detailed review was helpful to me and mentioned as such. I don't know how I missed it when visiting your main site through the years, but at least don't remember seeing this forum before then. Anyway, I'm glad to be part of it now and Malias Miles is my name there, too, so look forward to staying in touch!

Malia

Technomadia · RV-Dreams Family Member

*glow* I so love hearing these stories! Thank you sharing and being part of it!

cherylbrv · RV-Dreams Family Member

Just a reminder that this is a great way for us to find each other - our RV Dreamer's family! Don't forget to sign up, and/or change your location when you move!

Hope to see you down the road!

Wordsworth · RV-Dreams Community Member

I'd like to sign up, but I don't know how. Duh...can anyone help with that? wink disbelief Is there more info on RVILLAGE somewhere like maybe an introduction?

Bill and Jodee · RV-Dreams Family Member

www.rvillage.com there is a sign up link on the home page. Have fun, great site.

Jodee