[PETITION] Make update notes available to the public before implementation page 3

Remember the outrage over the Beta tag getting removed from Kong?

And the new homepage/toolbar…

And the new chat…

And Kreds…

We do beta test major new updates with the community before releasing them so we can update/improve upon them. Remember the whole 33% of the site seeing different profiles each? Voting on the new homepage layout? We do that stuff! For smaller updates though, you’ll just have to trust our judgement. If you don’t like the updates we make, feel free to voice your opinion about it in the designated threads and we’ll read over them (we really do.) In the past we have made changes to new features after they’ve been implemented, which is the whole reason why we allow public discussion of new features. Whether we call it “beta testing” or “new site update” is just a matter of terminology. You guys can test out the new update now and give us feedback all the same.

So what’s planned for the next update, anyway?

Originally posted by MyDreamName:

So what’s planned for the next update, anyway?

You’ll know soon enough. :)

The major problem with implementing an update without adequate feedback though is that it’s hard to retract any features of an update once it is put out.

I sign.

Originally posted by MyDreamName:

The major problem with implementing an update without adequate feedback though is that it’s hard to retract any features of an update once it is put out.

That’s true. That’s why we usually do the beta testing on major updates, whereas an update like this most recent one is just “yes” or “no” to the update itself. That’s where feedback is good because we can make some tweaks if necessary.

Originally posted by Zshadow:

Originally posted by MyDreamName:

The major problem with implementing an update without adequate feedback though is that it’s hard to retract any features of an update once it is put out.

That’s true. That’s why we usually do the beta testing on major updates, whereas an update like this most recent one is just “yes” or “no” to the update itself. That’s where feedback is good because we can make some tweaks if necessary.

But the thing is that we have no proof that you’re doing the testing at the extent you promise, or that the picked beta-testers are even comprised of active users or even know that they are looking at some sort of future update.

And if you wanted more feedback so badly, why not try harder to get more feedback on the official forum? That way, we can really see how many people like and how many people dislike an update instead of just having this “minority” of regular forum-goers voicing their opinion.

Along with that, you would get more in-depth feedback if you presented new updates to the entirety of Kongregate, as I have been suggesting. Providing video examples and such of proposed future updates also helps.

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Edit: It would also be good to provide examples of people picked for testing this update.

Just an example of user feedback making a change. :)

But why was it changed to following at all? Sure, it’s nice to get a change back, but that’s only because that feature was pushed through without adequate feedback on it.

And there’s still no example of someone seeing the latest update before it released, or any proof of anyone commenting on these changes.

And in general, it feels that people oppose these things in the forums and that we get ignored because we’re generally seen as a “minority.” If you really want more people to weigh in on the updates, why not put notices in chat containing the masterthread instead of advertisements? Or why not private message everyone? Then we can see that “majority” that loves the update, but doesn’t weigh in on it.

These updates get pushed by with a very “hush, hush” attitude, whereas many people don’t even know until the update is imminent or already here.

Saying that the people talking in the masterthread have a substantial weight is an argument, but there isn’t much proof behind the fact. Also, we don’t want the whole “following” thing either.

But why the “hush, hush” attitude until the updates are here, if you want feedback? And if you want feedback, why aren’t you doing more work towards making sure everyone knows how to voice their opinions, such as sending out a mass PM? Why tell less than 1% of Kongregate users? Why not share the details of the next update with the people here?

How can I sign if I can’t get my signature on the screen?

Originally posted by Conquerer95:

How can I sign if I can’t get my signature on the screen?

By acknowledging that you want to sign, I’ll take care of the rest for you.

Originally posted by MyDreamName:

Originally posted by Conquerer95:

How can I sign if I can’t get my signature on the screen?

By acknowledging that you want to sign, I’ll take care of the rest for you.

thanks man…just in time. I was beginning to suffer major anxiety. D:

I’ll sign ._. because i hate the new updates i want to get a feed back when they do future updates

Well, Z, you don’t seem to be responding so I’ll just say this:

I’ll keep this petition open, as it’ll end up getting you the feedback that you want should Kongregate adopt this policy.

And as you listen to your users, I trust that you’ll fairly consider this petition and make the changes the people want.

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Edit: I just realized something. Z, the friends got changed from “following” to “friends you follow.” The administrators claimed that the reason it was changed away from “friends” at all was because the term was “too confusing,” but now it’s “friends you follow,” making that point moot. Why not have just “friends” like before?

Unless the “you follow” is relevant to a future update we are all going to dislike?

I have no problem with the petition, and thank you for discussing it with me. A lot of the stuff that we do with new updates is behind the scenes running statistics and useage metrics. We like to bring out new surprises for people to enjoy and give feedback on, and find ways to bring that update to more people so everyone has a chance to test it out.

You have my bow.
And my signature <3

the person who thought of changing friends/fans to follows/followers obviously is mentally challenged and has no good ideas to improve this website. they should be fired immediately.

Well, I hope you forgive me for taking you with a grain of salt for doing your job.

(although you still haven’t answered many of my points, like making sure everyone knows how to voice their opinion on a new update by sending a mass PM, and I am a bit peeved as such)

But what is the point of “friends you follow” if the confusing part was the “friends” part in the first place? I could go up, create an alt, and ask how I make sure someone is my friend so they show up in that following section when I start following them. The “you follow” part is completely obsolete.

Originally posted by Zshadow:

Originally posted by MyDreamName:

So what’s planned for the next update, anyway?

You’ll know soon enough. :)

I’m willing to bet that it is a raise for the mods. Hint hint….

Originally posted by UnknownGuardian:

Originally posted by Zshadow:

Originally posted by MyDreamName:

So what’s planned for the next update, anyway?

You’ll know soon enough. :)

I’m willing to bet that it is a raise for the mods. Hint hint….

100% raises for all mods!

Originally posted by MyDreamName:

Well, I hope you forgive me for taking you with a grain of salt for doing your job.

(although you still haven’t answered many of my points, like making sure everyone knows how to voice their opinion on a new update by sending a mass PM, and I am a bit peeved as such)

But what is the point of “friends you follow” if the confusing part was the “friends” part in the first place? I could go up, create an alt, and ask how I make sure someone is my friend so they show up in that following section when I start following them. The “you follow” part is completely obsolete.

We did send out a mass PM about this most recent update, but we did not include where to give feedback – that’s something we can add for next time. As for the “Friends you follow”, it’s just words to help avoid the confusion between friends and fans. Now you follow someone, or they can follow you. And if you follow each other… you become double followers.

Yea.

A raise?! I can finally get that new bike I wanted.
Also ILove, the community changed it to that. So you have yourselves to thank!

This mass PM,

Kongregate Announcement

20 hours ago

We at Kongregate have always been impressed by the awesomeness of all our users. The high scores you set, the badges you earn, the comments you leave—it all blows us away, so we decided to team up with Facebook to stop keeping your greatness all to ourselves. Soon you’ll be able to introduce your friends to games you love, brag when you hit the leaderboards, share your opinions and show off that impossible badge you just earned all through Facebook timeline. You can find out more information about this new feature in our FAQ.

Connect your accounts and control exactly what you share through your account settings!

does not in any way describe the full intensity of the update. In fact, all it says is that you’ll be able to share your achievements on Facebook, which is what a lot of people were not complaining about in the first place! The FAQ doesn’t provide any more information on the update other than going into “oh, you get benefits for sharing things on Facebook.”

The kind of mass PM I’m thinking of contains all the facts in an organized fashion.

Also,

As for the “Friends you follow”, it’s just words to help avoid the confusion between friends and fans. Now you follow someone, or they can follow you. And if you follow each other… you become double followers.

Honestly, do you think this is less confusing than just having the terms “fans” and “friends”? I’m being completely serious. Seriously?

signed

Honestly, do you think this is less confusing than just having the terms “fans” and “friends”? I’m being completely serious. Seriously?

I’d say so, which is a big reason why the admins implemented this change in the first place. If you prefer “friends” and “fans”, that’s totally fine, but it’s changed to “friends you follow” and “followers” now.