Who wants to test the new design?

[Yoda]

Okay, so, the other day I was thinking "cripes, there's still a lot to do, and I haven't even had anyone test the new design yet!" And then I realized "wait, you're supposed to have people test things before they're done. That's the whole point of having beta testers."

So, I'm putting the call out for MoFos who want a big ol' peek at the new site before it launches. The plan is to cut a couple of corners and go with largely superficial facelifts on a few secondary pages/areas so that we can get this thing live this month, before the Oscars, which means possibly having a few of you testing the new design as early as next week.

I can only let a few people do this, so don't be offended if you don't get picked! Tons of you guys would be super helpful, I have no doubt, so if you don't get chosen it's not a reflection on you at all.

Here's what I'll need from any potential tester: Willing to keep specifics to themselves, obviously.
Willing to deal with some things being a little broken for awhile.
Willing to put a fair bit of time into just poking around randomly.
Willing to put a fair bit of thought into the feedback they give.
Willing to swap lots of messages, or even IMs (or perhaps a Skype call) to pin things down more quickly and precisely.
And a big bonus, but not required (please specify in your reply if you can do any of this): the ability and/or willingness to test on multiple platforms and browsers.

So, who wants to help and see all this stuff a little earlier than everyone else? :)

[bluedeed]

Add me to the list of hopefuls please!

[Daniel M]

Me too.

[Skepsis93]

Yup, why not.

[mark f]

Whatever I can do. I'm a beta tester from way back. :)

[Yoda]

I should add: though it's not at all necessary, if you have any kind of IT or creative background at all, please mention it! Ditto for whether or not you can do the multiple browser/platform thing. Those are all potentially useful things.

[Skepsis93]

Oh, sure. I can do PC and iPhone, and Chrome/Firefox/IE in terms of browsers.

[bluedeed]

I have access to a PC with IE, Chrome and Firefox, and a mac with safari, as well as an iphone and ipad with several browsers on each, and have taken several computer science classes in college (it's going to be my minor)

[Daniel M]

I've made multiple websites, been admin on a number of forums and do a computer science related course at university, last module I did was Web Applications, I have an iPhone. Pick me! :D

[Sedai]

I can test the site out, but wouldn't be able to sit down and take a really good look until tomorrow.

I have multiple browsers, and both Windows XP and Win 7 running at my house.

I have IT experience.

I don't have Skype, but can install it. I do have Google Meetups installed and running, as I use it daily to meet with remote people in regards to our board game projects (We are revealing our new game at a convention TOMORROW, btw, but I am not going).

Google is nice because it has screen-sharing...which might be useful to show you bugs/problems etc.

[Yoda]

Oh, don't worry, I wouldn't be flipping any switches on the testing until at least then, and more likely early next week.

[Deadite]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/00/Two_adult_Guinea_Pigs_%28Cavia_porcellus%29.jpg

[christine]

If you need anyone else I'm around. Not got a professional IT background but have PC/ipad/iphone and hubby has android phone I can use.

[Austruck]

You gotta pick Deadite just for that guinea pig picture. :D

I'm in if you want a fairly articulate nerdy-geeky type.

I can test via IE, Chrome, Win7, WinXP, WinME (yes, I know!), and also Android smartphone, iPad, and Kindle Fire (which you probably aren't worrying about -- it's a sort of Android hybrid).

[Austruck]

Plus, I actually own a guinea pig that looks like the one on the right in that picture. So, you know ... I've got that going for me.

[Sexy Celebrity]

I can't wait till next week. Give it to the testers today!

[Daniel M]

I would like to choose Sexy Celebrity as my co-tester.

[Yoda]

I wasn't planning on beta testing with the buddy system. Mainly because I have no idea what that would even look like.

[Sexy Celebrity]

I would like to choose Sexy Celebrity as my co-tester.

Thank you. I support your selection in this tester picking thing, too.

[Yoda]

Hey, Daniel's post got rep. I can't even begin to imagine what user could have possibly given it to him.

[Sexy Celebrity]

He has credentials.

[Daniel M]

Hey, Daniel's post got rep. I can't even begin to imagine what user could have possibly given it to him.

Whoever it was, I'm sure he would make a great beta tester :D

[Yoda]

Crap, you guys are already teaming up against me. This is not good.

[Harry Lime]

Willing to put a fair bit of thought into the feedback they give.

Dang.

[Xui Wan]

oh you need a newb to be roaming around to give you a critical review! user friendly feedback, and a female POV! as well as someone with a Mac as I see many PC's. Just my 2 cents.... :D oops... oh dear but not me

[Yoda]

Testing's gonna start fairly soon-ish, so there's just a little bit of time left if anyone else wants to throw their hat in the ring.

I've already selected a couple of testers, and there are lots of other good volunteers, and odds are I'll select maybe one or two more. Especially people who are willing to test heavily on smartphones.

[The Rodent]

I'll have a go :D

[Yoda]

Okay, I've chosen just a couple of testers to start off with.

I'll probably need another round in a few days for the mobile style, specifically. So anyone who's interested in browsing and testing on their smart phone, specifically, would be very helpful! :)

[Tacitus]

First impressions - Woof! ;D

Am loving the general aesthetic. Not wanting to give too much away but think ITV's Poirot.

Is that oblique enough for a taster?

[Austruck]

I'm definitely up for smartphone testing! I'm having fun playing with the new smartphone I got for Christmas and would love to try it out! :)

[Skepsis93]

I'll do some smartphone testing, even though I got snubbed for the main one.

http://www.reactiongifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/disappointment.gif

[Skepsis93]

I bet Daniel got chosen, didn't he? Douche.

[Yoda]

Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to not testing the new mobile style.

[Tacitus]

The Tablet of Doom is almost charged!

Well, it's making funny noises anyway...

[Skepsis93]

Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to not testing the new mobile style.

That means he did. Website-making, admin-ing, computer-science-doing douche.

http://www.reactiongifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/SFW-FU.gif

[Daniel M]

That means he did. Website-making, admin-ing, computer-science-doing douche.



New design, same old Skepsis, grow up child. :D

[Sedai]

New Design = 5

[The Sci-Fi Slob]

Me me me me me me..!! :)

Here's what I'll need from any potential tester:

Willing to keep specifics to themselves, obviously.
Willing to deal with some things being a little broken for awhile.
Willing to put a fair bit of time into just poking around randomly.
Willing to put a fair bit of thought into the feedback they give.
Willing to swap lots of messages, or even IMs (or perhaps a Skype call) to pin things down more quickly and precisely.

And a big bonus, but not required (please specify in your reply if you can do any of this): the ability and/or willingness to test on multiple platforms and browsers.

I can do all of the above, and have plenty of spare time.:)

[Daniel M]

Quick question: Is the forum meant to look different when viewed on a phone?

[Yoda]

All questions should be kept to PM for now. :) I'll send you a message about that.

[Mmmm Donuts]

I hope Sci Fi Slob gets picked, since he was such a good sport in MoFo Big Brother. His eviction was controversial to say the least, seeing as he participated in all of the competitions to that point.

[Sexy Celebrity]

I must say I looked at Slob's website the other day and was impressed with the way it looked. I'm not sure if he designed all of that, but it was nice.

[The Sci-Fi Slob]

I must say I looked at Slob's website the other day and was impressed with the way it looked. I'm not sure if he designed all of that, but it was nice.

I used to design websites for the company I work for. Now my job mostly involves building and repairing computers and setting up networks for businesses. I'm an IT all-rounder. My blog is just a blogger site with some java/html tweaks, nice and simple, less hassle.

[Sexy Celebrity]

So, who here is a beta tester?

I assume it's safe to say that I am one.

[Yoda]

Hey, don't kiss and tell.

[Sexy Celebrity]

I didn't wanna brag, but I thought since people on the last page were revealing that they were testing it... well, I was just curious about who all was testing it.

[Powdered Water]

I am not. Mostly because I am unreliable.

[Yoda]

Okay, lots of bugs fixed, lots of good feedback with tweaks and improvements. We're getting close!

Next up is mobile testing. I need anyone who can test the new mobile style on a smartphone. I need several people for this one, but with one big caveat: I need you to be ready to test in just a couple of days, and I need a lot of quick, concentrated feedback, because I'll be working quickly to implement it.

Who's down for this?

[Sedai]

Up and running on my new Moto X - sign me up!

I think I am already signed up, though. ;)

[The Sci-Fi Slob]

I'm down.

[Austruck]

I'll repeat: You've seen my new phone. If you think it's a good one to test on, I'm in. (It's a Z998 Mustang / Android.)

[The Rodent]

Mustang Android?


Isn't that a Transformer?

[Austruck]

Mustang Android?

Isn't that a Transformer?

I WISH.

:)

Mustang is the phone model. :)

[Austruck]

Hey, quick question: Am I the only one seeing the subforum text on the main page showing up in white (meaning, difficult to see)?

[The Rodent]

Yep, white for me too.

[The Gunslinger45]

Hey, quick question: Am I the only one seeing the subforum text on the main page showing up in white (meaning, difficult to see)?

Nope. I see it too.

[Yoda]

Not really the thread for bug reports, but please disregard any minor cosmetic weirdness you see for the next few days. It's a consequence of some changes being made to the new design--some are easily cordoned off/hidden until launch, but others are necessarily visible now, so in cases like this where the difference doesn't break anything, I've decided to just do it now and live with the minor, temporary weirdness rather than add to the list of things I do at the last minute just to avoid people seeing them beforehand.

[TheUsualSuspect]

I have a phone....

[Harry Lime]

Want me to test it out on my phone?

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nnQLkTjFAUY/TcbgEsfQ8rI/AAAAAAAAABs/eWyGDjmHuAs/s1600/1616_black_front_604x604.png

[Yoda]

I have a phone....
What kind?

Want me to test it out on my phone?
Is that actually your phone?

[Harry Lime]

Is that actually your phone?
It sure is.

[The Sci-Fi Slob]

Will the site work on my new iphone?

http://w1tp.com/0177a.jpg

[TheUsualSuspect]

What kind?


That would be an iPhone sir.

[Yoda]

Word. I'm working on it today. It's probably going to be really rough, but hopefully I can send you guys something in a day or two at most.

[The Rodent]

Been trying desperately to get on the mobile version with this...

http://media.engadget.com/img/products/446/9klo/9klo-800.jpg

Haven't managed it yet though... Yoda really needs to look into the compatibility of the mobile version.

[Sexy Celebrity]

Been trying desperately to get on the mobile version with this...

I figured it out. PM me and I'll tell you what to do.

[Frightened Inmate No. 2]

yoda, do you think you could get me the mobile version for my phone?

http://www.justinian.com.au/storage/photos-general/Surveillance_shoe_phone_mono_660.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1373352129078

[The Rodent]

Will it be compatible with this?

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rq9blszvbEc/TVtdowraoMI/AAAAAAAAAXU/OYjxKsqQBek/s1600/felt+owl+baby+mobile+Etsy+5.jpg

[Deadite]

Saw whatcha done there. :up:

[Sexy Celebrity]

Oh, okay, now I get it -- a mobile.

Took me a half hour.

[snodialove]

bored design :p

[Yoda]

Thank you for contributing your non-sequitur broken English to the thread.

[Yoda]

Okay, been working like a madman trying to whip the mobile style into decent enough shape for testing, and I think it should be ready to go at some point today, so if you're one of the people who volunteered to test it, expect a PM soon (I hope). I'll need to ask each person to confirm, though--I'm on a pretty tight schedule so for the moment I'll only be able to give access to people who'll be able to toy around with it over the weekend, so that I can incorporate the bug reports and feedback into some of the work I'll be doing on Monday.

[Yoda]

Okay, turns out it's gonna be tomorrow afternoon, in all likelihood. It's pretty close (for testing, at least), but at least one significant page still needs to be updated. So I'll be bugging several of you soon. :)

[Sedai]

Demonstrating our games at Total Confusion this weekend, so I may be sporadic until Monday. :)

[Yoda]

No worries, thanks for the heads-up. :) I'm sure there'll be plenty of things to fix tomorrow, too. Oy.

[The Rodent]

Would that be Monday afternoon?

[Yoda]

In the sense that there'll probably still be things to fix, yes, but I'm still planning on giving this a go today. Working on it right now. :)

[Yoda]

Okay, I just sent a few PMs off about this, even though I'm right smack-dab in the middle of fixing some things. Hopefully some of the other testers will be online before too long.

Here's hoping it goes well. It's definitely crunch time.

[Yoda]

Congratulations! I've decided to let all of you become beta testers. Report any bugs you find so I can get this thing in tip-top shape for the real users I've got waiting.