Yahoo Forum Archive

Hey everyone! Sorry we're getting off to a bit of a late start. I had a cranky database to deal with. :-\

The user information from the old site has been imported and it seems that log-ins work okay. But if you have any trouble, or you have forgotten your password, the log-in page has a "Forgotten Password" feature to re-set your password.

So what should you expect, and what is expected in this Beta Test?

1. The site is, for the most part, completed (with a few bits here and there left to add). However, since my main focus was on getting a working site, there are bound to be some problems.

— Bugs: Whether I entered in a typo in the site code or I added something that broke another page, there are probably going to be bugs. So I need your help in finding them. Anything that gives you an error, of course, but also anything that doesn't look right or doesn't seem to be behaving as expected.

— Text: In the mad rush to write the code, I really didn't do much with the instructions. So I will need Beta Testers to read EVERYTHING — all of the instructions, all of the Help boxes — to make sure it all makes sense (some of it was simply copy/pasted from the old site to save time) and that there's actually text there and not placeholder text. The FAQs are currently missing (I'll be getting those moved over this week).

— Usability: Do you have trouble with the menus? Do the instructions make sense? Do you know where to go to find things? This is where I'll need each of your personal experiences using the site.

— Missing Features: Did I forget to add something to the new site? Please let me know!

2. The schedule for the "mini-MEFAs" is subject to change, depending on how much time we need to complete goals. Some seasons may need to run longer, some we may finish very quickly and can move on. So please try to check in to mefa-discussion or MEFAwards every day to see if there are any announcements about schedule changes.

3. I still need to finish populating the database with characters/settings/etc. Just because your favorite character isn't in the database today does not mean he/she won't be there tomorrow. If an item isn't in the lists on the Nomination Form by the end of our "nominating season", THEN let me know it is missing.

4. I really need everyone to submit all twenty of their nominations and enter as many reviews as possible. I figure we will need at least 200 nominations to move on to categorizing, resulting in at least 15 award categories, and at least 1000 reviews to adequately test the site before we can move on to the real 2011 awards. These can include your stories that have already competed, goofy story ideas you made up off the top of your head, or just dummy text. It really doesn't matter. All that matters is that you assign characters/settings/etc., choose categories that match the characters/settings/etc., and then go through the approval process with the Liaisons.

5. It is preferable to self-nominate all of your nominations, so that you can fill out and test the Nomination Form. If you do not want to do all twenty of your nominations as self-nominations, please assign an author from one of the fake user accounts I will be adding temporarily. These accounts will be easy to find: Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and Flash. ;-) This is so that members who are not participating in the Beta Test will not get spammed with test nomination emails (the Justice League's emails will all go to me). DO NOT ADD AUTHORS TO THE DATABASE. The last thing we need is non-MEFA Members getting spammed with beta test emails.

6. Try to put variety into your nominations. If you're a fan of a particular group (Hobbits, Elves, etc.), make sure at least a few of your nominations come from other subjects. This is so we'll have a big enough mix of stories for our practice-run of categorizing.

7. Reviews definitely don't have to be real (though you are welcome to write real reviews for test nominations that are real stories, or write silly reviews if it makes the beta process more fun for you), they just need some variety in length (from 1 point to 10 points). There are plenty of Lorem Ipsum Dolor text generators out there. http://www.lipsum.com/ is a good online text generator. When entering reviews, randomly use the "put quotes in brackets" feature and also mark a couple of them as spoilers.

8. Things are going to go wrong. That is why we're doing this test. Don't stress out about anything. I'll be doing plenty of stressing for everyone!

9. Don't be afraid to make suggestions or express dislike for something on the site. I'm not emotionally attached to the site and will not be offended by any constructive criticism. I will also be the first to tell you that my design sense isn't the best in the world. ;-) So if you have any ideas for improving the site, please let me know!

10. Please give feedback in the Yahoo Group Forums. mefa-discussion is preferred, but you are welcome to post to MEFAwards if you are not subscribed to mefa-discussion. That way, everyone can see what issues have already been reported and we can discuss them together.

I know I'm probably forgetting something…

If you have any questions, please ask away!

A big thanks to everyone who is participating! Your help is very much appreciated!

Aranel

I won't be able to make my 20 (self)nominations in one day, but I'll do it little by little. For now I made one nomination and here are few remarks:
 
- ok, the site looks completely new and some buttons/links can't be found at once, but that is only a matter of habbit, so I guess we'll get used to it.
- I made one nomination and everything went fine
- when I browse nominated stories (there are four so far), and when I click the story, it opens in the same window. On the old site, it opened in new window or tab, and I think it's much better that way. Can it be done here too?
- I don't see where I can add review to nominated stories. *blush* Help?
- I love Minas Tirith in the header, as well as the logo inscription. :) Is the Gondor tree in the header blurred on purpose? If not, I can send you a sharper, clearer version. ;)
 
I'll write more after new actions done. ;)
 
Ellynn




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Disregard this particular question in the previous mail.
Perhaps those little icons could be a little more conspicuous? *unsure*
 
Ellynn




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As the subject says, all went well. Some lists were incomplete (such as setting), but you mentioned that not all of them were finished, so I didn't worry about that.
I'll continue tomorrow! ;)
 
Ellynn




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Hi Ellyn,

--- In MEFAwards@yahoogroups.com, Ellin Ithilwen <ellin_revenger@...> wrote:
>
> I won't be able to make my 20 (self)nominations in one day, but I'll do it little by little. For now I made one nomination and here are few remarks:

That's fine! I have the nomination season set for 7 days, so hopefully that will give everyone time to fill them out. If you don't make it to twenty, that's okay. It's just something I'd like Beta Testers to aim for.

>  
> - ok, the site looks completely new and some buttons/links can't be found at once, but that is only a matter of habbit, so I guess we'll get used to it.

Just let me know if you can't find something!

> - I made one nomination and everything went fine

Great!

> - when I browse nominated stories (there are four so far), and when I click the story, it opens in the same window. On the old site, it opened in new window or tab, and I think it's much better that way. Can it be done here too?

A site forcing a link to open in a new window is considered bad form these days (mobile browsers and accessibility for screen readers are two reasons given for removing this feature). Most, if not all, current browsers support the user choosing to open a link in a new tab or window. For example, in Mac OS browsers you can open a page in a new tab if you hold the command key while clicking the link. I think on most Windows browsers, you can right-click and select to open in a new tab. I can add a Help Box about that.

> - I don't see where I can add review to nominated stories. *blush* Help?

I've moved the explanatory icons to the top of the table. Does that help, or do you think an explanation for the new feature would also be necessary? (Nothing on this site is new to me, so I really can't tell what needs explanations!)

> - I love Minas Tirith in the header, as well as the logo inscription. :) Is the Gondor tree in the header blurred on purpose? If not, I can send you a sharper, clearer version. ;)

It's supposed to be shadowed, but if it looks awful on other screens I can re-do it (and I may take you up on the offer of the new version, I can't remember what size mine is.) What screen resolution are you viewing it at?

There will be other themes available eventually, not just for Gondor. But they won't be added until after the awards start.

>  
> I'll write more after new actions done. ;)
>  

Thanks for your feedback!

Aranel

Hello again! :)
 

> On Mon, 3/28/11, Aranel <araneltook@gmail.com> wrote:

> A site forcing a link to open in a new window is considered bad form these days (mobile browsers and accessibility for screen readers are two reasons given for removing this feature). Most, if not all, current browsers support the user choosing to open a link in a new tab or window. For example, in Mac OS browsers you can open a page in a new tab if you hold the command key while clicking the link. I think on most Windows browsers, you can right-click and select to open in a new tab. I can add a Help Box about that.

 
I forgot about mobile browsers and other things that you mention. Yes, of course I know about right-click and new tab, I often use it. ;) I believe most people do; if you want to add a help box, I hope it won't take you too much time.

> I've moved the explanatory icons to the top of the table. Does that help, or do you think an explanation for the new feature would also be necessary? (Nothing on this site is new to me, so I really can't tell what needs explanations!)

 
I noticed it almost immediately as I sent the first e-mail. Not noticing was my own fault, I wasn't careful enough.
Perhaps you can ask others about it too, and then decide.

> It's supposed to be shadowed, but if it looks awful on other screens I can re-do it (and I may take you up on the offer of the new version, I can't remember what size mine is.) What screen resolution are you viewing it at?

It is ok, don't worry. (I view at 1980, btw.) If you ever need more pictures, if you won't have enough time to do banners and similar things by yourself, I'd be glad to help.
 
Talk to you soon, bye,
 
Ellyn




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I have been overwhelmed with RL at the moment, so wasn't able to do any
nominating, but had no difficulty in finishing the nomination information for
the one story Ellynn nominated for my work. Will try the review process tonight
or tomorrow.

I hope that the times get better organized--had to search through about four
different third age groups to find the actual time I needed to note.
Bonnie L. Sherrell
Teacher at Large

"Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends." LOTR

"Don't go where I can't follow."