Community AdminWell, I will say that clearly, you've heard us. Still, I just can't help but be disappointed and frustrated.
It's like every customer service tech who says "thank you for your patience" ... but I'm not patient. I'm not happy about a long soft launch journey. I don't see these as teething problems.
Disappointed and frustrated. That's what I think, presented in the politest way I can manage.
Having gotten some sleep and able the ability to come at this with a clearer head, I want to clarify my disappointment and frustration...
First, EA_Nils, I want to emphasize that I truly do appreciate that the team has heard us, acknowledged us and clearly understands the issues that we have with the new forums. I understand that fixing these issues will take time.
That said, I don't understand why these issues exist at all. I mean, we're talking issues as fundamental as the site staying up and functional, links directing correctly, login authentication working. I don't understand how this site could even go live with such foundational problems.
Then we get into the functionality problems - like sorting and being able handle long threads - that, to my mind, demonstrate that the underlying code of this site is completely unsuited to the community needs. I don't understand why this site was chosen in the first place.
You talk about a Soft Launch. A Soft Launch is defined as "a preview release of a product or service to a limited audience prior to the general public. Soft-launching a product is sometimes used to gather data or customer feedback, prior to making it widely available during an official release or grand opening. A company may also choose a soft launch to test the functionality of a product, allowing adjustments to be made before a wider release and marketing efforts are implemented." [Soft launch - Wikipedia]
How is this a Soft Launch? The forums were not released to a limited audience, but to everyone. The old forums were taken down almost immediately and are no longer available. We have been given the choice of using these forums, or finding another community, or giving up entirely.
I submit that this is not a Soft Launch. This is the launch of non-functional service and trying to PR spin it's many, fundamental, and critical failures by calling it a Soft Launch.
So, yeah... I am disappointed and frustrated.
