We will be opening up a limited beta testing area for our ongoing redesign to a limited number of Primates in March 2012.
If you are interested in participating, please reply with the types of devices you use to view the site (iPhone, Windows 7, Mac, iPad, HTC Evo Android phone, etc.), the browsers you use (Chome 16.0.912.75m, Safari 5.1.2,etc.), and the resolution you use on your display/device (1366x768). Please indicate if you know how to take a screenshot of your devices’ screens and include any specialized knowledge you have (php programmer, web designer, javascript junkie, etc.) that you believe will help improve the process. Lastly, include any part of the redesign which particularly interests you (Lounge design, mobile version, community features, etc.)
Regardless of whether you are able to lend a hand or not, thanks, in advance, for volunteering!
iPhone (4) and Macbook Pro (running 10.6, might upgrade to 10.7 by March, display set at 1440 X 900, Safari kept updated). No specialized knowledge. Interested in Lounge design, mobile version.
I use an Asus laptop running Windows 7 Home Premium with a 1366 by 768 resolution. My browser is Firefox 9.0.1. I’m able to take screenshots. I have 2 semesters and counting of undergrad computer science education, but can’t claim to be an expert in anything just yet. I’m interested in Lounge/forum design.
EDIT: I also have Ubuntu available to me, though I am very very far from fluent in Linux. Still, if additional information from a Linux OS would be helpful then I can test things on that as well.
I use Chrome on Mac OS, Linux, and Chrome OS. Occasionally Firefox on Mac. I also use an Android phone. I regularly take screenshots (to provide debugging information to other services) on all but ChromeOS.
Windows XP; Chrome 15.0.874.106 m AND IE 7; 1280x800
Windows 7; Chrome 16.0.912.75 m; 1920x1080
Android (2.2 Froyo, Samsung Vibrant)
Android (2.3 Gingerbread, Samsung Galaxy S 4G)
Screenshots are no problem. Some experience developing in Java/PHP/Perl and others. LOTS of experience doing User Acceptance Testing/Operational Readiness Testing, and am very familiar with documenting EXACTLY what I did before something broke. :)
I use an iPod Touch (iOS 4 at 480x320) with the Safari browser, an HTC Touch Pro 2 (Windows Mobile 6.5 at 800x480) with Opera 10 mobile, and a Snow Leopard iMac (1920x1200) with Safari 5. I can provide screenshots in any format desired, and have reasonably extensive experience in HTML, PHP, Javascript, and SQL databases. I am most interested in the mobile version of the site, but I am sure I will try most everything outside of the forums.
Latest Chrome Version
FF 3.6
IE 8 & IE 9
Wife has a blackberry I could maybe steal once in a while to test on.
EDIT: resolution: 1920x 1080
I’m a software engineer by profession, with 95% of my work directly related to web applications and CMS driven sites. I’m a JS junkie and also very fluent in CSS and basic web design principles.
On a side: During the beta-testing process or beyond if you need any help debugging through something, questions about best practice with JS, or just another set of eyes/ears to bounce design and implementation ideas out, etc; don’t hesitate to send me an email. I probably can’t lend a whole lot of time to actual coding, but I’d like to help out any other way I can.
I’m getting closer to opening up the initial beta version of the site. Initially I am focusing on the main page design, the discussion pages, and the member pages. I should also have the following/friends/groups/subscription framework in place. Since I’m designing the site using Responsive Design techniques, much of the mobile experience should be available (although some of the mobile navigation work won’t be ready for the initial beta).
I am very pleased to see offers from designers and developers. Your input will be greatly appreciated. If you can help me work through some of the more difficult scripting, my appreciation might turn into love. :D
The initial beta will focus on the basic design and the mechanics and usability of some of the new features. I hope for as much constructive input as I can get.
I will post here with more info as I get closer to having things ready.
In about two weeks I will open a reduced beta test. Initially it will consist of a reduced feature set front page and new discussion pages. Both are designed to be viewed on anything from a mobile phone or a big screen. I will incrementally add additional features as I find time. Sorry for the delay but a health issue my wife has been battling has impacted my timetable.
I have the basic design done. I also have a good chunk of the new frontpage and a lot of the discussion page setups complete. I’m currently working on the restructuring of what used to be our blogs. During the next few days I hope to have a functioning subscription system working. I will soon post a new post in my Lab Notes with more information.
