software updates
When I set-up to do a new inspection, I'll either refer to the mls data or ask the buyer for further information, like: Size, Age, Suites, Garage, Crawlspace, Heating Sys, etc... not only to help me price my inspection quote but also to determine which 'report fill' to apply to my template. That has worked ok for the most part but is still quite inefficient as it's difficult to have a single report fill cover so many variables.
As an option to 'report fills' I would prefer to see a self-building report fill based on my ability to select from multiple options per each section heading, that I could name or organize to suit. For example, if the report fill box would open up with 'Exterior Cladding' with drop-down menus to differentiate between (rain-screen, face-seal, EFIS etc) - Then for Roof, drop-downs could be (Gable, Hip, Low Slope, Flat) - For Roof Covering (Asphalt Shingles, Torch-on, Concrete Tile, Tar /Gravel, etc) - For Heating (Forced Air, Elec Baseboards, In-Floor Hydronic, etc). etc., etc
Having the ability to quickly choose & pick through some of the various specifics, that could automatically populate 75 % of the report would be a major time saver. I asked for this a couple of times verbally with tech-support and was told it would be added to the list of hopeful improvements, but then, 99.9 % of my requests over the last 12 yrs have fallen into a large black hole, never to be heard about again :(
Joe Klampfer
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Official comment
Hello Joe,
As I mentioned in my other response to your post about feature requests (https://support.homegauge.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/1500000527101-software-updates) I am really hoping that this forum will be another way to connect with inspectors and their feedback.
I am going to discuss this feedback with the Product team and see if something like this request is being planed for the new Web Writer. While currently in beta the Web Writer is a great fresh slate for HomeGauge to receive feedback and implement new features. Currently report fills and templates as you are used to don't really exist in the Web Writer. It has been mentioned in meetings before but if there are already plans in place for report fill I will make sure to provide the Product team your information so they can reach out directly with questions.
Any other inspectors please comment and vote to get the conversation going on how the Web Writer could use something like "Report Fill" to save you time.
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Ok, thanks Nick. Does that mean that there will no longer be updates for HG5 as all focus and energy now is going into the web-based product ? I was hopeful that any changes to the web-writer would also carry over into my full-blown desktop version... I've put in tons of hours getting my software tweaked to where it works as well as can be expected and have no desire to get into the web-writer version.
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The future of HomeGauge will be the Web Writer but the goal is to make sure the software and application are maintained in the best possible place as we transition. We still are collecting issues and features for the classic software and application but most large features will be left for the Web Writer. The classic software in its lifespan has only ever had one dedicated developer. We still work with the developer in a contract role when prioritizing bugs and feature requests and have had some recent updates to the software and android application with more to come this year. We also realize that many inspectors like yourself have spent years inside of HomeGauge and that we need tools to convert all that hard work on templates and comments into the Web Writer for there to be adoption of the new product down the road. None of this will happen immediately but the future of HomeGauge is moving towards a completely mobile application in the model of the Web Writer which will be easier to maintain and update and hopefully more user friendly and useful for the inspector.
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As a NRVIA RV inspector I too would like to see the features that Joe Klampfer is presenting in this post. Has there been thought about an API interface to allow the user to functionality like this?
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