InfoQube IM - Community

Submitted by Pierre_Admin on 2009/10/29 19:05

What features (new, changes, bug fix) would you like implemented in InfoQube ? Now you and others can propose new features and vote for them. This will guide us, and together, we'll make InfoQube, the best Information Manager System! Click here to access the feature list.

This feedback system is powered by UserVoice. You don't need to register/login to use it (it identifies you by your IP address). If you do register, there are some small advantages. Either way, you are entitled to 10 votes.

Comments

Please explain how you envision this fitting in with forum bug reports, existing Mantis items, and In your opinion, which bugs/features should be given the highest priority ? . Thanks.

Well, I could not find a nice Drupal-based system for casting votes for features. This service is well tuned to this specific task.

Background info:

There is a forum dedicated to feature request, and users can give detailed information, but it does not give an overall view of the content and there is no voting (by others)
I was waiting for this implemented in Mantis, but it isn't going to be anytime soon
Drupal-based voting don't appeal to me (if you know of a good one, please forward it to me!)

The site seems like a good implementation of the idea

Are you looking for ideas Pierre, or are you simply going to go with whatever gets the most votes?

I find the latter is a bit scary, and I think the service doesnt really suit the former due to the 100 character limit. I suspect most users are going to concentrate on bug-fixes anyway, or things already requested (e.g. multiple undo) rather than coming up with creative ideas. (I'm not knocking that - it's what I'm going to do myself - for the moment at least).

Add to that I feel a bit like it's just another place to have to add the things I want-need to hopefully ensure their implementation (as well as mantis & thread mentioned by Mark).

With apologies if I sound a bit jaded, Tom

I share the same feelings...

The idea is good and I wanted such a thing when I first asked for the "priorities" forum section.

But I also feel that those who invested a lot of time explaining why this or that should be fixed + finding bugs and trying to explain stuff to newcomers, shouldn't have to go to yet another web site to enter new info + vote... to make sure their voice is now heard!

Pierre :

1- Is it that you're having trouble seeing which features/bug fixes are most wanted ?

2- Will that new list be followed closely in the # of votes order ?

I'm asking because if it's not going to be followed anyways, why do it... I've entered numerous bugs (and suggestions) in Mantis. Some have been acknowledged (answered to), but most haven't. Same here -- but to a lesser degree -- in the forum. There are many many more things that I could add to mantis... But I'm waiting because I consider I've added enough important stuff and I prefer to wait until these are fixed/implemented before adding other things.

Plus... and I don't want to sound elitist -- but advices concerning changes in the software or bug fixes usually make more sense (to me at least) when given by more experienced users who use it everyday and which work flow depend on IQ OR users that can clearly justify why this or that should be fixed/changed... Not some random user who'll just looks quickly at IQ, who'll probably never look at it again, and will still cast a vote... Sound justifications for changes, suggestions, etc. should weight more than any qty of votes without any justifications.

=========

The new formula could work if :

1- we knew -- or had the insurance -- that the new list would be followed closely, following the # of votes...

2- if the suggestions there could reflect Mantis and forum entries closely -- there's already lots of stuff there ! ( But how can we control that ????)

In other words : if it was possible to link the forum + mantis + this other site in an integrated way. I'd be all for it. Otherwise... no.

....

Hence: I believe that we should stick to mantis + the forum and find ways to get a feel for true priorities. by asking simple questions and using the thread about priorities. When people have to write about their priorities, they also have to stop and think about it. Which is important in the context of a complex software like IQ.

If you want, I could even create a table compiling the requests in that thread.. using IQ! It wouldn't be that hard. Only a few users regularly post in the forum anyways (Keith, Tom, Jan, Jon, lucky_phil ...)... for now at least.

I'm very aware of most bugs in Mantis and what's here in the forum.

[Edited 2009 10 30 -- 15 19 for better clarity]

[quote]

Only a few users regularly post in the forum anyways (Keith, Tom, Jan, Jon, lucky_phil ...)... for now at least.

[/quote]

This is the whole point. The community forum is used by only a few (dedicated) users.

There is lots going on here and non-regulars may find it difficult to voice their opinions
Mantis is full of great suggestions, and even myself, find it overwhelming. It is great to track the details, but not to see the overall picture
Through this simple to use interface, I want to reach out for more users (IQ program downloads is 300 to 400 per month)

Be reassured that all inputs, whether from the forums, Mantis or userVoice is used to influence IQ development.

Sounds good when you explain it like that.

[quote=Pierre_Admin]Through this simple to use interface, I want to reach out for more users (IQ program downloads is 300 to 400 per month)[/quote]

you could make a post in the dc thread advertising it - the more voters/ideas then, the better

PS thanks for version H

( I havent gotten to try it yet, but looking forward to it ! )

[quote=Tom]you could make a post in the dc thread advertising it - the more voters/ideas then, the better[/quote]

I could do that if you too busy (but wont take the initiative in case you have it planned)

If you want, please do

I will eventually transfer my "priority list" there, if the process is going to be adopted.

Already transferred one or two bugs/suggestions as you saw.

Yes, for now there's no harm made in trying different strategies. I guess it just feels a bit disorganized.

[quote=Pierre_Admin]

There is lots going on here and non-regulars may find it difficult to voice their opinions

[/quote]

Why ? Voicing an opinion is just a matter of posting. Even anonymously… Not that hard.

Oh well.

[quote=Pierre_Admin]

Through this simple to use interface, I want to reach out for more users (IQ program downloads is 300 to 400 per month)

[/quote]

Ok...

[quote=Pierre_Admin]

Mantis is full of great suggestions, and even myself, find it overwhelming. It is great to track the details, but not to see the overall picture

[/quote]

Overwhelming, sure. I think it’s just a matter of spending half a day and categorizing all bugs and suggestions, which I’ve done a few times already.

Don’t you think that the new web site is going to bring even more bug reports, more suggestions...?

And getting the overall picture — which I think is hugely important — would work only if the web site would already include what's already been suggested here or in Mantis so that people could vote for it. (Otherwise, it’s just getting the “overall picture” from now on without really treating the countless propositions and hours of work done before (here and in Mantis) on equal footing.)

That would be fine, great even.

That's what I wanted when I started the thread about bug priorities etc.

So that means that :

1- user would read everything from mantis and here before posting

2- Someone would very generously gather all bugs and suggestions from mantis and here and put them there… and do that on a regular basis to really have that overall picture. And not just the overall picture of those who happen to post there.

[quote=Pierre_Admin]

Be reassured that all inputs, whether from the forums, Mantis or userVoice is used to influence IQ development.

[/quote]

Maybe... I just don’t understand how exactly.

in Mantis and the forum : the rules are pretty clear. We discuss the bugs here, if confirmed or something along those lines, we enter them in Mantis.

But the not with the new web site.

You say :

[quote=Pierre_Admin]

What features (new, changes, bug fix) would you like implemented in InfoQube ? Now you and others can propose new features and vote for them. This will guide us, and together, we'll make InfoQube, the best Information Manager System! Click here to access the feature list.

This feedback system is powered by UserVoice. You don't need to register/login to use it (it identifies you by your IP address). If you do register, there are some small advantages. Either way, you are entitled to 10 votes.

[/quote]

Anybody can vote there... Even anymous users... Like my brother who doesn't know anything about IQ... My girlfriend, etc. As you know I wouldn't use them to further my intentions — as my involvement in IQ is of a special kind — but anybody could… and I don't think that contributes to having an "overall" picture at all.

Could that be changed ? Even Lifehacker has a "fairer" / more objective system...

Thanks for reading all that if you did. Sorry for these long posts. I don’t think I have anything more to add to the subject anyways.

My position is clear : the suggestion/bug tracking system if modified should be more coherent and structured. No average or overall picture is going to be possible otherwise (because Mantis + the forum is -- using your own words -- already overwhelming).

[quote=Armando]

Anybody can vote there... Even anymous users... Like my brother who doesn't know anything about IQ... My girlfriend, etc. As you know I wouldn't use them to further my intentions — as my involvement in IQ is of a special kind — but anybody could… and I don't think that contributes to having an "overall" picture at all.[/quote]

yes, it was tempting to throw all my votes at my only high priority request. Could always remove them if it got fixed and add them to my next one...

But I resisted

In fairness I dont think there'll be a lot of abuse but OTOH if there arent many votes it could still make a big difference.

well just had a look and the site is getting votes anyway

have a good weekend all !

It's telling me today that I have 10 votes - I voted three or four times already

I know next to nothing about these things but I know my router uses some system where it varies (I think) the IP address* - so probably when I reboot the computer the site doesnt recognise me (unless I log in)

Dont worry I wont abuse it, but thought I'd better report it

* this has been problematic for me in the past - I cant use Skype unless I jump through multiple poorly documented hoops in order to 'fix' (again, I think) the IP address. My provider is Kabel (Deutschland). I dont know how common this is. When I researched it a while back I saw that many routers use this system...unfortunately I think I didnt keep details - just gave up, life is too short for that kinda eh, stuff

[quote=Tom]

It's telling me today that I have 10 votes - I voted three or four times already

[/quote]

I had another look today & it remembered me (without logging in) so that was probably just a hiccup

I looked through that site a little while. I looked at the testimonials and found an example of two entities that used the service:

1) http://tweetdeck.uservoice.com/pages/1192-general-discontinued/filter/t…; This one looks like they stopped using the service

2) http://ngage.uservoice.com/pages/1377-general 

A couple of observations:

0) the premise on the homepage does make it sound good

1) it makes it easier to evaluate better by seeing some like these that have quite a bit of content.

2) it appears there is a lot of spam. If that can't be controlled -- yuk.

3) the examples have status comments by the authors(s)--it does look like something that could be quickly updated by the developer.

4) It seems to rely a lot on the search, once a lot of items are in there. If we put the hundreds(?) of items in Mantis in this system, I wonder how that would be to find anything, especially for someone who doesn't know the IQ lingo? There doesn't appear to be any categorization, tagging, etc.

5) I have to agree with the ease of use. I remember 1.5 years ago when I found the program--"what's a Mantis?", what's a drupal?, etc. I'm afraid to post in this forum until if I found out they yell at newbies for asking dumb questions...

So I'm keeping an open mind, maybe it will be of benefit.