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What are these symbols?
In order to help show which FAQ refers to Searchers, Developers, Affiliates or combinations, we have created these icons:  Searcher  Developer  Affiliate
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What is the SearchandDevelop.com MicroSite?
Feedback from clients suggested that there is a very great need for a similar site to SearchandDevelop.com – but for small companies. We decided to take a somewhat different approach to the SearchandDevelop.com MicroSite by allowing the MicroSearchers to give a budget framework, and let the Developers bid on the MicroQuest. Once a MicroSearcher wishes to accept a solution to their MicroQuest, the money agreed on goes into Escrow. The project is then completed, and once the MicroSearcher is satisfied, the money is taken from the Escrow account and paid to the Developer (once our fee is collected). Unlike SearchandDevelop.com, the administration fee is taken out of the Award, it is not in addition to the Award.
Note for Affiliates: the SearchandDevelop.com Affiliate agreement is not applicable to the SearchandDevelop.com MicroSite. Due to the way the MicroSite works and the smaller amounts of money involved, the SearchandDevelop.com Affiliate agreement does not apply to any MicroSearchers joining or posting MicroQuests or Developers joining or solving MicroQuests.
Full details of the SearchandDevelop.com MicroSite terms and conditions are available here, the FAQ specific to the MicroSite are available here, and MicroSite privacy terms are available here.
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What is a Searcher?
A Searcher is a company or individual that has joined the SearchandDevelop.com community, and has the ability to post a research and development problem on SearchandDevelop.com as a Quest that is sent out to our pool of Developers to find a solution.
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What is a Developer?
A Developer is a registered member of our web-based community who tries to solve or find solutions to the Quests posted on the site. When a Quest is posted by a Searcher, all Developers will recieve an email notifying them that a Quest has been posted and they will be referred to the website for further details.
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What is a Quest?
A Quest is an R&D problem or challenge posted on the SearchandDevelop.com site by a registered Searcher company who need help in finding a solution.
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What is an Affiliate?
An Affiliate is someone who introduces a Searcher or a Developer to our web-based community and their ID number is added on the Developers' or Searcher's membership form. When a Searchers Quest is solved and the Quest Award is paid, the Affiliates will be paid 1% of the Award whether they are Affiliated with the successful Developer and/or the Searcher.
Affiliates also receive a bonus when they recommend a Searcher or Developer to us and the Searcher or Developer signs up. As long as the Searcher adds their Affiliate's ID to their signup form, when we receive the membership fee from the Searcher, we will forward the Affiliate a cheque for US$1000.
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How do I know the site is secure?
The site is encrypted with Rapid SSL (Secure Socket Layer) protection. We also have a certified domain which basically proves we are who we say we are. See our privacy policy page on SearchandDevelop.com for full details.If you are unsure if you are on the secure site, click here.When the page refreshes, you should see a small icon  at the top right or bottom of your browser window (depending on the browser). As long as the padlock is there, you're on a secure page.
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How do I know you are legitimate?
SearchandDevelop.com Inc. is an incorporated company, registered with the Ontario Government. We also have a Secure Socket Layer Certificate to safeguard your information, and a Certified Domain Origination Certificate to show we are who we say we are (see the column on the right side of this page).
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How do I keep my anonymity as a Searcher?
When you sign up, you will get your own log in information sent to you. Only you will have this information. When you submit a Quest, the Quest is given a unique identifying number. This is all the Developers will see - they will not know who you are. The only time your identity will become known is once your Quest has been solved, after all fees have been paid, we will introduce you to the Developer who solved the Quest, and only them.
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How do I keep my anonymity as a Developer?
When you sign up, you will get your own log in information sent to you. Only you will have this information. When you submit a Quest solution, the Quest solution is given a unique identifying number. This is all the Searchers will see - they will not know who you are. The only time your identity will become known is if your Quest solution is accepted by the Searcher, after all fees have been paid, we will introduce you to the Searcher who initiated the Quest, and only them.
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How do I keep my anonymity as an Affiliate?
When a Searcher or Developer signs up, they need to add your Affiliate ID to the appropriate field in their sign up form. If they do not do this, there is no way to add you as their Affiliate afterwards. Your name is not used, only your Affiliate ID. Only the SearchandDevelop.com staff have access to your real name.
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How do I receive my Award?
Once you as a Developer have submitted a solution to a Quest, we at SearchandDevelop.com will forward your proposed solution to the Searcher. Once the Searcher verifies and accepts the solution and we at SearchandDevelop.com receive the Award, you will be paid (within 15 working days) by cheque (minus applicable taxes) to the mailing address on your registration form.
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How do I receive my Affiliate Bonus and Affiliate Commission?
When you sign up as an Affiliate, you give us your name and address. We will send a cheque using this information when they are due. When a Searcher signs up with SearchandDevelop.com and we receive their signed contract and yearly access fee, we will send you a $1000US cheque*. When a Quest solution is accepted by a Searcher you're Affiliated with, and we have received full payment of the Award and our Award commission, we will send you a cheque for 1% of our Award commission*. When a Developer you're Affiliated with has a Quest solution accepted, once we have received full payment of the Award and our Award commission, we will send you a cheque for 1% of our Award commission*.
* see relevant agreements for full details. We will send you a cheque once we have received appropriate payment from the Searcher, and assuming the Searcher added your Affiliate code in the appropriate field in their signup form. We cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions..
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As a Searcher how many Quests can I post?
The number of Quests you can post is unlimited. Each post and Quest amendment is fee based. See our Searcher Contract, Fee Schedule for details.
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As a Developer, can I solve as many Quests as I want?
Yes, there is no limit.
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If multiple Developers provide a solution for the same Quest, how do you decide who gets the Award?
The Searcher will decide the best solution to their Quest and we at SearchandDevelop.com will Award the appropriate Developer.
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What is the deadline for a Quest?
Some Quests will have no deadline as long as the Searchers' membership is active, some will be time-sensitive, it depends on the Quest and the Searcher company and will be made available to Developers for each separate Quest. If a deadline is given, it will be listed in the Quest details.
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I am thinking of becoming a Searcher Company, how do I learn about the Searcher procedure?
Read the FAQ's thoroughly and fill in the Searcher form and we will send you the information. Please refer to our 'Become a Searcher' section on the website, call us on our Toll Free Line (1-866-697-0538) or email us at info@searchanddevelop.com
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How can I be sure the Quests are legitimate?
All Searcher Companies posting Quests have signed contracts and paid a membership fee with SearchandDevelop.com, all Quests will be reviewed for conformance by our team before being posted.
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How can I be sure the Awards are genuine and legitimate?
All Searcher Companies posting Quests have signed contracts and paid a membership fee with SearchandDevelop.com.
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Can I work with other developers to combine our knowledge to solve a Quest?
Yes you can, two heads are often better than one, however only the registered Developer will be eligible for an Award and will have to compensate their assistants or collaborators themselves.
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Can I submit more than one solution to a Quest?
Certainly you can but the Searcher will only award the best solution.
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How long do I wait after I submit my solution before I am notified whether I have been successful or not?
This would depend on whether the Quest was time-sensitive. Once a Searcher accepts a solution to their Quest after verification of the solution the Award payment is due in 30 days to SearchandDevelop.com, who in turn has a further 15 days in which to pay the Award to the Developer.
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How do I submit a potential solution to a Quest?
Log in to SearchandDevelop.com and access the Quests link, complete the synopsis overview form with a brief outline of your solution for the appropriate Quest and submit.
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Who will determine the best solution if more than one have been submitted for the same Quest?
The Searcher company will have the final say in determining the best solution for their Quest.
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What do I do if I forget my username or password?
Please email us and we will verify your registration information and once we are assured that you are the legitimate Searcher or Developer we will email the information to your registered email address. Making this a manual rather than automated function is an added security feature.
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Can I print out a Quest?
Yes you can, each Quest and form will have a 'print' symbol on the page for your convenience.
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What happens if I experience technical difficulties ie. computer crashes, etc.?
SearchandDevelop.com recommend that you frequently use the 'add' button whilst submitting your information and also have a copy saved on your own hard drive.
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Do I need to enable cookies?
As a further security measure, the SearchandDevelop.com website does not use cookies.
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If I sign up as a Searcher what kind of Quests can I expect to see?
Environmental, mechanical, medical, pharmaceutical, agricultural, IT, energy, automotive, industrial, engineering, manufacturing, aerospace, biological, life sciences and more.
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Will my personal information ever be revealed on the web site?
No, absolutely not. SearchandDevelop.com will never list Developers' names and contact information, we believe your identity should remain confidential.
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Can I use my university, college, company or institute's facilities to provide a Quest solution?
If you are a student, faculty or staff member at a school, college or university, you should make yourself familiar with any policies that may affect you working toward a solution to a Quest.Some educational institutions and businesses have strict policies governing the use of their facilities and ownership of any intellectual property created while using them. You will need to be in a position to transfer all rights to your work should a Searcher accept your Quest solution.
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What browser should I use?
SearchandDevelop.com has been tested on Safari, Internet Explorer v6+, and Firefox, but on a mostly cosmetic level, we prefer the excellent Safari.
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