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1. kyle @ smokers helpline

   

   84 posts
   Registered:
   28 Nov 2017
   04 Dec 2017

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   Hello all,
   
   I've received a multitude of questions that all amount to "why can't we keep the old site?" and I will answer with as much honesty and clarity as I can.
   
   Ownership and sustainability
   SHO was a product from a third party vendor which we subscribed to for a monthly fee. Those subscription fees were due to increase substantially, to the point that they would become unaffordable for us. In order to ensure we were able to continue to provide and grow the service, we needed to invest in this platform to lower our ongoing costs. Hence why we have launched this site as it is right now, with the promise of further small investments to increase functionality over time. To make our future funding go farther and work harder, the decision was made to build a platform from scratch that was fully owned by the Society.
   
   Technology
   SHO remained largely unchanged since the last re-brand in 2010. Since that time, mobile technology adoption (smartphone and tablet use) has exploded to the point that mobile users are more than half of our daily users, and our site was not optimized for mobile. We are also looking to integrate our services into a common platform, to allow us to better understand our clients and serve them better across phone, online, and text services while also planning to add additional modes of service (stay tuned) with a single place to access support. This new platform also allows for more integrated promotions like First Week Challenge Contest and Trial Packs of nicotine gum, which we hope to be able to offer again in 2018.
   
   Security and confidentiality
   The move toward a single centralized database for all Smokers' Helpline services, controlled and managed by the Canadian Cancer Society means that we can ensure security for the personal health information of tens of thousands of clients. This is of huge importance to us – you entrust us with your personal information, and we need to be worthy of that trust.
   
   As always, I want to keep this dialog going, but please let's try to stay focused on the future and remain civil and appropriate. 
   
   I am doing a lot of work behind the scenes right now with our team of Quit Coaches and other staff, but I am trying to get in here at least a few times a day to respond as possible. Please continue to bear with us during this transition and thank you to all of you that have expressed support and are helping to keep the community the caring supportive place we know and love.
2. treepeo

   

   832 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   04 Dec 2017 in reply to kyle @ smokers helpline

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   Hi Kyle,
   
   Thank you so much for your post.  It explains everything.  I now understand why you developed this new site, and I also think it was a great move, and a necessary move, on the part of SHO.  While I did prefer the old site, I don't think this one is too bad.  I like the different forums and threads, and being able to see how old the latest posts are, in case there is someone who may really need some support on a bad day.
   
   I know from what happens at my work that there are inevitably problems and glitches when rolling out a new program.  That is to be expected, given the tremendous amount of work involved.  So I will be patient while work is done to update the site in the future.  The main thing, for me, is to be able to keep in touch with my fellow members here, and because I can still do that, I am content.
   
   I would like to thank you Kyle, and everyone else at SHO, for your hard work and dedication to this cause.  I tell people over and over that I could not have quit successfully without this site, and I mean that from the bottom of my heart.  And I know I am not the only one who feels that way.  So while I know that you have been dealing with a lot of complaints, please know that SHO is responsible for helping many, many people to quit smoking.  And you should all be really proud of yourselves for your role in making that happen.
   
3. kishu

   

   5 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   07 Dec 2017

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   Hello Kyle,
   
   Thanks for the explanation.  It was a bit hard to find but much appreciated.  I am very thankful for the support and encouragement that I received from SHO and hope that others will be able to benefit from this new version.
   I'll keep checking in from time to time and wish you the best.
   Kishu
   
4. bena

   

   2 posts
   Registered:
   07 Dec 2017
   27 Dec 2017

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   Even having read the reason behind the change I'm not happy.  Gone is the main benefit I received from the Smokers' Helpline.
   I wish I'd known in advance. I would have been willing to pay a voluntary subscription fee and I'm sure many others would have as well.  Considering how much money I save every day from having quit I would have been willing to donate a percentage of that amount to keep the old site going. I am still willing to donate towards paying the monthly rental fee for the quit calculator.
   Too bad the membership wasn't solicited before the site was abandoned. 
5. treepeo

   

   832 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   28 Dec 2017

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   Hi bena,
   
   The most important thing about this forum is that we get to speak to each other about what we are experiencing, and to help and encourage each other.  While I miss seeing everyone's quit meters, you can get an app on your phone that will give you much better calculations than this site currently has.  I just keyed in the words "smoke" and "help" and I found just the app I wanted.  Maybe you should give it a try.