SheriC

9 hours ago, DBCooper said:

 

A pencil and some paper. 

 

But seriously, if you have better tools available, why wouldn't you want to use them?  The new features don't just make the job faster, they allow us to do things that you would have never done back in the "old days".  I mean who would have ever created a framing overview when drawing by hand?  The fact that most people have software tools now that can do so much more has changed the world so that now these things are requirements, not just pretty pictures. 

 

Not that I have anything against pretty pictures because these can make a huge difference between getting a job or not getting a job just because your competition spent all of 2 minutes making one.

 

I think it's pretty obvious that Chief has already made up its mind.  I wouldn't expect them to change back unless they saw a significant decrease in income.  I plan on sticking with Chief but if you think there is a better tool available (not just cheaper, better), then by all means you should jump ship.  Best of luck.

 

This is turning into a zombie thread.  It just won't die.  

 

Chief made a colossal marketing mistake, IMHO. Purposefully released when it was the busiest time of year. When licenses have to be renewed, continuing education completed, and shopping for holidays. Tricks are never well received, especially when they affect the bank account. I would lose clients if I were to pull tricks and deceptive notice practices with my hard earned good will. Word would travel fast if I did anything perceived as untoward and unfair. Bad news travels fast, hard feelings run deep. Chief made their decision and so have I and others I know. Best to all. 

I've tried to find SP. What is this? I found "DraftSight". Do you know anything about this software?

I have those licenses then upgraded to CA. However, I sometimes want to add furniture, etc. or show a 3D model overview. I may design another home and would need a professional product. The learning curve of AutoCAD was just too much for me 'way back' when I did decided to upgrade to CA. I may be as old as dirt but I can learn!  I do not want "just a simple plan". I have to compete with other professional floor plans. Home Designer is not what I want. I'm having to throw my feet back into the game and wanted to upgrade to the newest program. My mind will not allow me to do this new "pay by the month' plan. No. Way.

On 12/6/2022 at 5:18 PM, smashing said:

I am so annoyed by this decision, and so bitterly disappointed. My entire view of the company has changed.....

 

While the company may have done the figures and worked out how much additional revenue this will bring them, the fact remains this company will never be able to calculate the loss of goodwill and feelings from people - perhaps like myself - who still believe in the concept of owning things, rather than renting them. 

 

What a damn damn shame.

 

**THIS** concept of not owning things is so 'Klaus Schwab' or Agenda 2021 or 2030. It, too, will fail.  I could not agree more with the above post from smashing.  I, too, am not a professional home designer, though I have used CA to successfully design two personal homes that we built and have been thrilled. I learned online and felt comfortable with my 'training' and research. For years I have used some version of these programs as my "game", then advanced to CA to use in my business as a Realtor. Instead of paying for services from companies to do floor plans of homes if I could not pull them online somewhere, I could within 30 to 60 minutes of my time, sketch out a floor plan and come up with some basic ideas to add to my MLS ads using CA. Here's the real kicker: I just bought a new laptop to handle the CA program (almost $3K). I sat down this morning, 14 Jan 2023, going to renew my SSA because I have not so in a few years, only to find out this BS about pricing. Just so anyone reading this knows, I am fully aware of how all of these REITS have taken over SFH sales nation wide and are renting them out, turning what would be previous home buyers into home owners. Instead, because of the outrageous pricing of homes, people are becoming "renters". I see exactly what is going on here. Get it? Now, I find that CA is doing the same thing as the Black Rock/Klaus Schwab companies are doing! What BS! We, the People, want value for what and where WE INVEST OUR MONEY 'in'. WE decide to play, revolt, or walk away. NOTHING CHANGES IF WE STAY QUIET. ALL of these companies that are going the way of woke and socialist agendas will FAIL. The 'renter mentality', will find REVOLT among the citizens. The ONLY way to fight it is to REJECT these ideas. I will not comply. I will not 'drink' your Kool-Aid and pay the price you demand. It's overpriced for my needs and the average small business person. It's egregious and you now make me sick. You should keep your politics out of your board room. You have SOLD software for years. You should stick to it. I'd rather use the perpetual older license I "own". Now, we need to see if you honor your past words. You have changed so much as a company. What. A. Damn. Shame.