Originally Posted by Bilyclub (Post 2147906)

Apparently you haven't read the whole thread. They are updating the system and are not stating if the current cloned stuff will still work with the new system.

Originally Posted by MrFlorida (Post 2148115)

Pushing the red button as well as waving your gate card is easy enough, However people with the duplicate in the mirror don't have to roll down the window to do it....that's the reason people are upset.

Originally Posted by Garywt (Post 2148063)

Yes but the new gate readers are supposedly eliminating the cloned cards from working. Sounds like the Villages only wants the given cards to work.

Originally Posted by billethkid (Post 2148136)

Or simply push the little red button.....like everybody that doesn't live here does....works every time!!

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Originally Posted by Altavia (Post 2148105)

This is technically unlikely unless all cards are replaced..

Originally Posted by billethkid (Post 2148136)

Or simply push the little red button.....like everybody that doesn't live here does....works every time!!

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Originally Posted by Garywt (Post 2148063)

Yes but the new gate readers are supposedly eliminating the cloned cards from working. Sounds like the Villages only wants the given cards to work.

Originally Posted by eyc234 (Post 2148135)

:cryin2: Have a card in every vehicle, do not roll down window and card works. We have seen and ridden with those that have chip and it requires getting just as close and just as slow as flashing card on window. A lot of complaining about nothing. Your 5 year old phone does not work on 5G either is that part of The Villages fault as well.

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580 (Post 2148162)

(spoken in a whiney voice) But then I would have to roll my window down. All the cool/warm air would escape, and I might get wet if its raining. 😏😧
Life here is so hard.

Originally Posted by Garywt (Post 2148214)

That is probably true but the Villages is trying to gain back control.

Originally Posted by billethkid (Post 2148331)

Gain control of what?
Public street!!
ANYBODY can come and go by simply pushing the little red button!!!

Control????????:1rotfl::1rotfl:

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Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby (Post 2147288)

I really don't understand why people think it's such a hardship to use the card.

Such silliness.

Originally Posted by Garywt (Post 2148375)

Control of cards. Each household is allowed 2 or 4 cards. They do not like it when someone finds a way to beat the system.

Originally Posted by EdFNJ (Post 2148376)

Nothing to do with "hardship." Why do people keep saying that ... it's totally ridiculous. I have one simply "because I can." It's neat beating out the stupid 40 year old open your window (MY CARD DOES NOT WORK THROUGH MY CLOSED WINDOW) wave your card at the reader ancient system. Why do people buy $100,000 cars or $1,000,000 homes. They don't need them. It's not a hardship to live in a $300,000 home vs a $1,000,000 home. These stupid chips are simply a tiny very cheap "luxury" for some. Some people buy 10 pairs of shoes when 2 will do just fine or smoke 3 packs of cigarettes a day or buy $7 drinks at the Squares, Why? Because they can. I chose to spend my money on a "chip" since I don't smoke or drink. Nothing to do with being too lazy to roll down a (power) window. I just don't get the angst generated in so many people because some folks have these stupid little devices. Maybe it's just chip envy. ;) Nahh, just a bunch of old fuddy duddys that like to complain about what others have but they don't.

Originally Posted by Garywt (Post 2148375)

Control of cards. Each household is allowed 2 or 4 cards. They do not like it when someone finds a way to beat the system.

Originally Posted by twoplanekid (Post 2153732)

Well, I finally received a reply to my last email to staff about gate cards.

...

The District does not support or guarantee that any card/device will operate the gate other than the card(s) issued to residents at closing, or that they acquire from the District. As the gate software is upgraded, only cards that are valid in the system will function properly.

Originally Posted by Altavia (Post 2153756)

Guess we'll know when the change happens.

I "think" the card readers now being installed in a new village under construction looked different? No idea if the difference is functional or cosmetic.

Don't know if feasible but one nice solution could be if the new scanners have enough range to reach through everyone's vehicle windows.

Originally Posted by twoplanekid (Post 2153732)

Well, I finally received a reply to my last email to staff about gate cards.

Hi Brittany,

I read the following email which states "Residents will see minimal changes since they will continue to use the same gate cards, so long as they are valid in the system. Cards that were issued or obtained through other sources will cease to function after the migration is completed."

My specific question to you is this. If my card is valid in the system and after having cloned my card to a coin type mirror located card that currently opens and closes the gates, will this cloned card still open and close the gates when the new gate systems are completed? If you don't know the answer, then who does?

And the answer is

Good morning,

Yes, Bruce provided an overview of the gate maintenance and upcoming software upgrade.

The District does not support or guarantee that any card/device will operate the gate other than the card(s) issued to residents at closing, or that they acquire from the District. As the gate software is upgraded, only cards that are valid in the system will function properly.

Originally Posted by Altavia (Post 2153756)

Guess we'll know when the change happens.

I "think" the card readers now being installed in a new village under construction looked different? No idea if the difference is functional or cosmetic.

Don't know if feasible but one nice solution could be if the new scanners have enough range to reach through everyone's vehicle windows.

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580 (Post 2156673)

Sounds like we will not know anything definite until the upgrade is complete and someone actually tries it out. My guess is that some of us will never notice a difference, while others have problems or complaints. Business as usual.
Meanwhile, many of the gates we are worried about opening are broken and are not being repaired in a timely manner, leading not just to inconvenience, but to potentially danger to life and limb.
Me thinks the "gate people" may have their priorities out of order.
Oh, well, I only live here. I am not in charge.

Originally Posted by EdFNJ (Post 2146925)

Until EVERY PERSON'S CARD in The Villages is replaced, I highly doubt cloned cards will stop working because if they are CLONED they will be identical to the original old cards which will continue to work. Can't see how they can be separated. If you read the specs on the cards they use the only codes on the cards which are the assigned numbers and the reader system just reads that. There is no "hidden" non-copyable sub-code they can read that isn't part of the "clone" process, and until they change every card from every person and THEN turn on a new system they should likely continue to work. If someone hands out generic nonexistent codes to people which will work THAT they can track if they really want to look at the thousands of photos (assuming the cameras actually still work) to find the car connected to the faked code.

Originally Posted by twoplanekid (Post 2145829)

I asked this question of staff->

I heard a rumor from Bruce that the gate card system in the Villages is going to change. Be forewarned that I have been giving out and using the devices that are placed in car mirrors to activate the gates for over a year.

So, please tell me the reason for the change and why my cards will no longer work. Is there a way that these cards can still work?

I believe that the using the old cards and having to wave them out an open car window is archaic in this electronic age. So, if changes are made when will we receive a device that will automatically raise gates without human interaction?

A very large number of Villagers may be upset when they find out these (auto open) cards no longer work and then need to go back to the old, old way.
I am sorry that this change was not highlighted in a newsletter to let people know that this change was going to take place.

I hope you have some good news for me about this issue as it looks very bad at this point in time.​

and ->
One additional questions about data if collected. What data is collected , who has access to the data and data collected is used for what purpose.
I thought long ago that I was told no data was collected nor retained by the gate card system and not talking about the security cameras at the gates.

Thanks again,


they responded by saying ->


Thank you for reaching out regarding the gate access control system upgrade. This project was approved in September, with support from the Amenity Authority Committee, Project Wide Advisory Committee and the Village Center and Sumter Landing CDDs.

The District has been seeking a new software vendor for a number of years to replace the existing system. As growth continued year after year in concert with the volume of card reads at the gates, the incoming data began to overburden and, at times, exceed the capacity of the existing software database. As a result, there are instances of unauthorized cards successfully opening gates; when the new system is in place, only properly credentialed cards will open the gates.

The District identified Software House C-Cure as a viable alternative to replace the existing software. This software provides a robust and expandable access control system. The capacity of the database is capable of storing one (1) million gate cards and it is administered through one centralized database. An additional benefit to Software House C-Cure is that the software is compatible with nearly all existing peripheral equipment at the gate locations – motors, readers, arms, loops, network electronics etc. In addition, all gate cards issued by the District will continue to work. By implementing this solution, only the controller itself would be replaced.

The access control system at the gates continues to serve a vital role in the community with regard to traffic management, calming and monitoring. The benefits of proper management of the access control system will further enhance the overall management of gate card data, prevent card duplication and provide more robust reporting capabilities. This is a significant benefit to residents, Staff and local law enforcement agencies. Gate card transactions are utilized to understand the volume on certain roadways, identification of individuals in the event property is damaged, and law enforcement routinely asks for reporting at specific locations.

There are certain areas in the community, such as the RV lots, that have limited access and require specific credentials assigned to the gate card. Regardless of the type of access, the District does not condone the unauthorized duplication of cards. When cards are assigned, they are tied to a specific residence or contractor based on the credentials. As with any access control system, it is not expected that these would be duplicated since it would also unnecessarily burden the volume of cards in the system.

The AAC and PWAC both expressed interest in exploring options to improve the method in which the gates are activated, including the type of devices and/or methods for opening a gate arm. The first step in the project is to upgrade the back-end software. Once that is accomplished, Staff will be communicating the Committees/Boards on other opportunities to enhance the functionality of the gates.

I then replied ->

I totally disagree with this assessment and wish that a public discussion had taken place. I understand that access control systems at the gates serve to slow traffic and let golf carts cross. However many of your other comments I would question.

The few that need restricted access to RV lots could have been given special cards. What other areas and how many other Villagers are affected compared to the total Village population?

You never answered my question as to how much detailed data the system is keeping on people accessing public roads. We are not a gate restricted community.

If the volume of individual cards that a new system can handle is 1 million, then what’s the big deal about duplicates? Plus, the cards are cloned to one that is already in the system. I don’t under this concern about duplicates. What are the specific benefits to the public in this new change other than making many thousands of duplicate cards not function?
CLONED CARDS WILL NOT WORK???

I again ask what data is collected and who has access to this data. Is this data used by public or private firms? Can I access the data? A private or public firm is the only one assigning gate cards at this time? Please note that I am not discussing the gate cameras. I believe cameras which are now located at the gates help identify individuals for law enforcement and not gate cards as you suggest.

What is the total cost of the new system for both hardware and software going to be for residents? This change to the gate management system should have been presented and discussed at a large public meeting with details in the paper and on the district website beforehand.

I am on the NSCUDD board and have always advocated for preannounced large public discussions of changes we make that affect the public. NSCUDD has held many advertised large public meetings to discuss changes and I am proud we have done so because that is the way it should be done.

a link to details on the contracts found on districtgov.org

Coversheet