Looking for testers for the new Boards.ie

Dav

Howdy folks.

We've gotten to the point where we want to do some beta testing with maybe 100 people on the new site. So far, we have the home page, forumview (the standard page you see when you load a forum) and threadview (standard page for a thread) sorted, they're the bulk of functionality for the average visitor and member. UserCP, PMs, Moderation, etc aren't featuring at the moment.

What we'd like is to get a selection of people to help us test features and functionality. It would be very useful to us to get people who are technically savvy too at this early stage, it'll save a lot of time if we're speaking the same language when discussing any issues you're having - but this isn't an absolute requirement. We'd also like to get a mix of mobile and desktop users to make sure we're covering all bases (you'll all be served the same pages, but the responsive design needs to be tested too, hence a mix of big and small screens). The reason I'm coming here is because I'm reasonably confident this community should understand what we're up to with this and what's useful information for us when feeding back any issues or suggestions.

The testing will involve us adding a flag to your account that will let you switch the Beta on and off via a Cookie setting link down on the bottom of the page just like the current Full Site/Touch Site functionality, so you won't be stuck with it unable to do anything it is you'd normally do.

If you're interested in helping out, stick a post below and I'll come back to you and get some particulars.

brevity

I'll help out. I'm a .Net Dev so familiar with the procedure. Use Chrome on an Android phone and Safari on the Mac at home.

Ziycon

I'm sure I can spare a bit of time considering the amount of time I float around here

irishgeo

glad to help out, i have IT background as well.

saggart26

I can help out as well....work in IT

Skrynesaver

Sure why not...

SSeanSS

yeah sure, work in IT too

Seridisand

I can take a bash at it

GalwayGrrrrrl

I can help. No great IT knowledge but am on my iPhone half the day!

bajer101

I can help. I work in IT and mainly use the desktop client.

Dravokivich

I'll be up for a bit of that. I regularly access boards from a Laptop / Computer connected to TV / Phone. So I see it from various perspectives.

diarmuid05

I can help out

28064212

I'd be interested

Mightydrumming

I'm up for it! Desktop client here

lawred2

I'm a web dev... could offer some help

wnolan1992

I'd be more than willing if y'need me.

MaggotBrain

Sign me up.

Web developer. Mac, Windows, iPhone. Safari + Chrome. Use boards a lot.

powerstar

I will help out. I work as tester.

F34

I can help out give me something to do in work lol

kayos

I've worked all my life in Software and do not know of this Testing activity you speak of.

Isn't that what users in the production environment are for?

saggart26

Its pre-release testing, usually done after unit and system testing.

Kimbot

Dav, sign me up

chrislad

I can help also.

Bored_lad

I can help don't actually work in software dev or testing but would be technically minded and use boards on a Nexus 5 daily. So would be able to help with the mobile testing.

I'm scared of change, but this might be a good time to get used to not using the old skin....

Also work in IT, use Chrome/IE in work, Chrome/Safari at home, Full site in Chrome on my phone.

Celly Smunt

I can help

frozenfrozen

I'll do it too. 2560 x 1440 so I'll get that end of the responsive layout.. I post by pressing alt + s, so I'm effectively a professional boards user

Hollister11

I'll help out. I have just finished first year of a computing course.

Graham

I'll help out. Tech savvy and access boards through a collection of devices.

hardCopy

I'm happy to enrole

kayos

saggart26 wrote: »

Its pre-release testing, usually done after unit and system testing.

Oh don't worry I'm well aware of the different stages of testing. Dav knows this well, and also knows not to try rope me into testing

NotCominBack

Do I get paid for said testing?

Korvanica

I can help out if needed.

Kimbot

NotCominBack wrote: »

Do I get paid for said testing?

Payment is 5 minutes in the room with the coke and hookers :pac:

Stheno

I'll volunteer too

jimmii

I'm happy to help if need be.

frozenfrozen

jonny24ie wrote: »

Payment is 5 minutes in the room with the coke and hookers :pac:

and there's no touch. unless you were testing the mobile site.

Beagslife

I'm happy to help out. I view boards on desktop (Opera/Vivaldi beta) and Lumia 830.

KneeDeepInData

.net dev here, don't mind helping out too

Dav

Thanks a million folks! I'll close off here for this evening and tomorrow will get you all set up. We've got a private forum set up with all the relevant info for you.

Dav

Hello all,

We've started the test with our first batch of volunteers which came from the Mod team. I'm putting together the second batch from this thread and we will get you onboard tomorrow morning.

Dav

So you're all probably wondering "when is this eejit going to tell me if I'm on the test team or not?"

We had a pretty big flood of bugs from the first group of people that have been keeping the tech team busy. The first set of fixes was pushed out this morning but we still have a longer list than we'd like to get through so instead of doubling the testers and having to frustrate a whole new bunch of people with known issues that we're working on, we'll carry on taking things off the list as it stands and push another couple of updates out (ideally Monday and Tuesday) and bring this group into the test on Wednesday.

The bug-list and fixes will be posted on Wednesday too so you'll be able to check against it for known issues etc.

I'm sure no one here is a stranger to this sort of thing, so apologies for delaying your involvement and thank you all again for offering to help.