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Published on February 15, 2008 By Zoomba In Blogging

After months of teasing, today I'm extremely happy to let you all know that we're ready to let everyone take a crack at the new site.  It's open to anyone who wants to take the new blog community for a spin

https://www.joeuserbeta.com/

A few very important notes before you start:

  1. The beta site is 100% test data
    Every post, comment, blog edit etc that takes place on the beta site WILL BE DELETED when the site goes live.  This is a sandbox for you to play with the new site, its features etc.
  2. You will have to create a new blog on the test site
    We only imported a handful of the top blogs for testing.  Chances are that once you log in, you will need to create a blog on the beta site.  Again, this is all test data that will be wiped and overwritten when we do the full import from the existing JoeUser.  Your basic login information will however still work.  Do not create a new account, just a new blog site.  Your current JoeUser blog will be automatically imported when the site goes live.
  3. Not Every Feature from JU1 is in JU2
    This is phase 1 of the site.  We have not ported each and every feature to JU2 just yet.  Things like blog "skins" are not implemented yet.  We have a long list of additions for the next several months as we go through Phase 2, 3 etc.

We are specifically looking for the following feedback at this moment:

  1. Critical-Stop Bugs
    Anything that prevents you from posting, commenting or interacting as normal on the site.  Any page errors, any script errors etc.
  2. Incorrect/Missing Links
    Did you click on a link and get taken somewhere completely wrong/unexpected?  Do you get to a page that has nothing on it?
  3. Browser Problems
    Does the editor actually work on your web browser?  Does everything show up in neon pink?

Please post all feedback, questions, comments and concerns regarding the beta site on this thread.


Comments (Page 1)
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on Feb 15, 2008
I'm going now, I'll post a something! Thanks, ladies and gents!
on Feb 15, 2008
I can't log on to the site. Why am I not surprised.
on Feb 15, 2008

I just tried to login as you using both your email address and your user name (CharlesCS) and it worked without problem.

What browser?  What OS?  Are you seeing any script errors?

on Feb 15, 2008

If you're going to report errors please be VERY specific.  Just saying "it doesn't work" won't help us track problems down.

  • What were you trying to do?
  • What page were you on?
  • Did you receive any kind of error?  (please provide the exact error)
  • What browser are you using (and version)

 

on Feb 15, 2008
I logged in fine, it seems to be working well and all that good stuff.

~Zoo

on Feb 15, 2008
Logged in fine. Wrote an article and commented on several. So far so good.

One comment that I've got. It's more of a "huh?" type thing. The tags listing across the top. Is there a particular purpose for the humongous font size at the beginning and then get smaller as it flows to the end? It's rather ... annoying and distracting.
on Feb 15, 2008

We want to start getting folks in the habit of tagging their articles with relevant keywords.  The idea is that if you tag your article as being about "Boston" we can provide the reader with relevant information, such as other articles that may be about Boston etc.  This also helps google searchability of the site and your blog specifically.  Plus, if you write on a specific keyword a lot, you can quickly see all related articles.

It's an organization tool that will become especially helpful as the site grows.

The sizing indicates the relative popularity of the tags.  The larger the tag, the more people there are using it.

on Feb 15, 2008
I test posted an article. Everything went well. I like the fact that the 'color' choices are there now because I never remember the html way to write.


I've been 'flipping' through it and so far so good. The only question I have "Is the background going to be so 'white' all the time? Or will we have a choice for our individual blogsite to change the background?

on Feb 15, 2008

I've been 'flipping' through it and so far so good. The only question I have "Is the background going to be so 'white' all the time? Or will we have a choice for our individual blogsite to change the background?

For phase 1 (Launch) there won't be any blog theming.  We're going to hopefully be adding that to a later phase.

on Feb 15, 2008
For phase 1 (Launch) there won't be any blog theming. We're going to hopefully be adding that to a later phase.


OK! I'll check in on it from time to time and give you my 'two-cents'!
on Feb 15, 2008
It's also worth noting that when JU2 goes "live" it will be replacing the current JU.  It's not actually possible to run the two in parallel.
on Feb 15, 2008
Removed because I need to RTFP. Apologies.
on Feb 15, 2008

I had no problem logging in.  I will have to take some time to learn and play but so far so good.  I think it will be great.  Thanks for all of your hard work. 

on Feb 16, 2008
I see, I cannot access my account if I do not post a coment here.
Well, I am a new one here, please let me know more

regards
henry
on Feb 16, 2008
Never mind zoomba. It would seem the problem is not with the site but with my job. I have limited access to the Internet so it seems I may have problems accessing the new site from work. I logged in just fine from home and saw my account and articles were moved over. No big deal.
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