Need Beta Testers [Archive]

BADFISH II

09-10-2002, 09:11 AM

Ok, I need your help.

I need betatesters for my www.nationalboatauctions.com site. It will take you maybe 15 minutes to 30 minutes. PM me and I'll send you the link, because it's on a private server.

What I need your help and commentary on (and I want honesty, you won't hurt my feelings):

Do you like it?
Is it easy to use?
Do you like the features?
What features would you add?
Is it easy to find and bid/buy an item?
What do you think about the graphics/aesthetics?

For the poll, figure you are looking to buy or sell a boat, you typed in "boats for sale" or "Sell a boat" on yahoo, this site came up at the top as one of the sponsored matches, after checking it out, give me your opinions.

So I need your help, this is crunch time, Brainlabor and I will be making hard decisions to scrap this and redo it, or go forward and make adjustments over the winter. This is pretty important for me, and Brainlabor. You are the boating audience I'm going after.

If you don't like something, or absolutely hate it, click on the link to that page, and post it here or pm me with it, so we can make adjustments, or make that decision.

Some of you who've volunteered before, I will just send you the link directly in a pm, and I appreciate your input.

All auctions or add's/bids you place will be erased before it goes live, so don't worry about binding yourself to anything, it's just a test. Right now it's on an account system which will be changed to direct bidding, so spend away! Go featured, Gallery, whatever, you won't be billed.

Thanks!

Beach Bum

09-10-2002, 09:33 AM

I was able to log in, or get a password. Once that is rectified, let me know and I'll try to break it for ya!

Beach Bum

09-10-2002, 09:41 AM

I meant wasn't!
oops!
http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

BADFISH II

09-10-2002, 10:00 AM

I know BBum and Thor are having problems logging in, which we need to work on, sorry.

When you register, it should send you a password via email, then you can log in and change it in the account services control center.

duckbutter

09-10-2002, 10:06 AM

I haven't recieved my email yet I think that is my prob Greg I will check it again

duckbutter

09-10-2002, 10:11 AM

first thing is you need to email faster http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

BADFISH II

09-10-2002, 10:28 AM

If you haven't rec'd the email yet, which we will work on, try going to account services and do a lost password, it should work, it worked for Thor, and KevnMcd got logged in fine without any troubles. I think the emails come at varying speeds.

Kevin, how quick did your email come?

duckbutter

09-10-2002, 10:43 AM

recieved password could log in but couldn't bid on boats. It was easy to get around the site though. still getting the error alias and password dont match

BADFISH II

09-10-2002, 10:44 AM

db,

pm me your username and password , I want to try it

duckbutter

09-10-2002, 10:57 AM

any luck greg? http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/huh.gif

BADFISH II

09-10-2002, 10:58 AM

did you send your username and password to me in a pm? I haven't gotten it. can you resend?

duckbutter

09-10-2002, 11:03 AM

ther you go!!! http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

BADFISH II

09-10-2002, 11:12 AM

worked perfect for me db

I just put jrgaudettes boat up for sale http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

It's all fake though, and all auctions and account debits will be erased.

STV_Keith

09-10-2002, 11:35 AM

Personally I don't like the way the auctions are listed once you pick the length.

You have featured auctions, then hot auctions, then all auctions. I think they should all be in one table, and you can sort by a column header "auction type" maybe.

duckbutter

09-10-2002, 11:40 AM

still sez my password don't work or sumtin http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif

kevnmcd

09-10-2002, 11:45 AM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (duckbutter @ Sep. 10 2002, 11:11 am)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">first thing is you need to email faster http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
I second that.......I'm Waiting!!!!!

kevnmcd

09-10-2002, 11:49 AM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Lakemead1 @ Sep. 10 2002, 11:28 am)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">If you haven't rec'd the email yet, which we will work on, try going to account services and do a lost password, it should work, it worked for Thor, and KevnMcd got logged in fine without any troubles. Â*I think the emails come at varying speeds. Â*

Kevin, how quick did your email come?[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Wrong....I haven't gotten my email yet. It has been a good 1/2 hour or so.

BADFISH II

09-10-2002, 11:52 AM

I don't get it. This is obviously an issue. DB's username and password worked fine for me, and he got it right away. This may have something to do with the server it's on.

Did you try the lost username request in the account services?

Sorry guys, it's worked for me, didn't know these issues would come up, but I'm glad it's you guys and not the public, thanks for your advice and help

BADFISH II

09-10-2002, 11:59 AM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Personally I don't like the way the auctions are listed once you pick the length.

You have featured auctions, then hot auctions, then all auctions. I think they should all be in one table, and you can sort by a column header "auction type" maybe.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

Good info Keith, keep it coming! Now, on a scale of one to ten, ten being critically bad, and needs fixin right away, where would you put that? a 5 maybe?

The reason I ask is that is a code issue, and cannot be easily changed, it's also a business issue, people who pay more for the category featured ads get to the top of the category, the prime real estate they're paying for.

BADFISH II

09-10-2002, 12:12 PM

How do you guys like having your own section for Custom and Performance boats?

BADFISH II

09-10-2002, 12:14 PM

Ok, the golden question, how do you like the boat search feature? does it suck? is is ok? My goal is upgrade this capability substantially, but it does work for now.

How do you like the forum capability on each boat?

BADFISH II

09-10-2002, 12:16 PM

how do you guys like the auction and classified functionality, in one place?

Havasu Dreamin

09-10-2002, 12:16 PM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Lakemead1 @ Sep. 10 2002, 12:52 pm)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I don't get it. Â*This is obviously an issue. Â*DB's username and password worked fine for me, and he got it right away. Â*This may have something to do with the server it's on.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Greg, I have not yet had a chance to try it out, been in meetings all mornig.

Keep in mind that browser compatability may be an issue. If it was written to specifically work with IE then there are some featuers that will not work with Netscape. We have run into these type of problems here at work.

I'll take a look at it as soon as I can today.

STV_Keith

09-10-2002, 12:17 PM

Well, I'd say it's about a 5 or 6 for me. If you wanted to do that, maybe have the background of those cells on the table be a different color to denote them being "hot" or "featured" or whatever.

BADFISH II

09-10-2002, 12:23 PM

sounds good Keith.

VBD, any input on why it's not working for some people, have you checked it out yet? does it work for you?

What browser are you using Kevin, DB, and BBum? It seems to be working for the rest of us, you can log in right Keith?

Try to bid Keith, see what happens.

Havasu Dreamin

09-10-2002, 12:40 PM

Greg, check your private messages with my thoughts/recommendations/bugs/problems found.

kevnmcd

09-10-2002, 12:44 PM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Lakemead1 @ Sep. 10 2002, 1:23 pm)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">sounds good Keith. Â*

VBD, any input on why it's not working for some people, have you checked it out yet? does it work for you?

What browser are you using Kevin, DB, and BBum? Â*It seems to be working for the rest of us, you can log in right Keith?

Try to bid Keith, see what happens.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Greg-I am using IE. I can get on the site and move around, I just haven't got my password yet so I can't do anything. http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

BADFISH II

09-10-2002, 12:46 PM

damn, it works for me with ie.

did you try a lost password and get a new one, then reset it in account services/control center?

BADFISH II

09-10-2002, 01:02 PM

Kevin got it! Way to go!

kevnmcd

09-10-2002, 01:05 PM

OK-I used the lost password thing and I got it right away. I messed around for a minute or two. One thing I noticed right off the bat is searching for a boat. Too many catagories without seeing what is in them. Need to be able to search by price range, length in ALL catagories, or just ALL. I will get more time later to mess around some more. Oh, the logon thing is kind of confusing cuz it would let me get in to adding a item complete my form and when I hit submit then it would tell me my password wasn't good and I would have to start all over.

BADFISH II

09-10-2002, 01:17 PM

this is what I had figured, the search functions http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif and the log in http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/insane.gif The log in should be easily fixable, I think it's just a glitch or a broken link. The search thing is more difficult http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

Keep it coming guys, we may just scratch this and start over. Gotta give the public what the public wants, and that's the best site, most features, most visitors, and ease of functionality - it doesn't sound like we're there yet. http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/glare.gif

BADFISH II

09-10-2002, 01:18 PM

BADFISH II

09-10-2002, 01:31 PM

anyone know where I can find a bottle of jack big enough to crawl up into http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif

THOR

09-10-2002, 01:43 PM

Why the HELL am I not in the featured listings?

I was the number 2 post in history on this site and I get no respect.

Kevin 50K for the rig. A little low huh?

BADFISH II

09-10-2002, 01:45 PM

did you put "yes" in the featured listings thing when you placed it?

The front screen rotates through.

kevnmcd

09-10-2002, 01:56 PM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (THOR @ Sep. 10 2002, 2:43 pm)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Why the HELL am I not in the featured listings?

I was the number 2 post in history on this site and I get no respect.

Kevin Â*50K for the rig. A little low huh?[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Thor-That is just my starting bid price....I have my reserve set where it should be...$250,000 http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

BADFISH II

09-10-2002, 02:34 PM

Hey guys,

Do me a small favor and don't vote till we get the bugs worked out ok http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Thanks for bidding my boat up to 95K http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif

VegasBD

09-10-2002, 02:56 PM

Dude-

No need to scrap it and start over. Even if you left it as is its is about 10x as better as ebay's was when they first came out, and they had investors n shit they had to impress.

LV-Advantage

09-10-2002, 04:23 PM

LM1- I didn't get the e-mail with password yet(1 hour). I used the lost password function and got it right away. And when i placed an ad it sent that e-mail with billing right away.

I like how you can see how many times ad was viewed, and how you can upload picture from hard drive.

In the condition selection it goes from new to good. maybe add excellent or like new.

BADFISH II

09-10-2002, 04:27 PM

Thanks, good stuff, Seems like the initial log in is the biggest problem. Working on it. Good suggestions everyone, I will ad an Excellent condition to options as well.

Thanks!

BADFISH II

09-10-2002, 04:29 PM

Now a bunch of you have seen it, here's a question:

Graphically, and aestetically, how nice is it compared to Boattraderonline, ebay, and boats.com?

Is it way nicer looking, average, not as nice, somewhere in the middle, you tell me http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif

LV-Advantage

09-10-2002, 05:00 PM

Greg-delete some PM's your box is full.
When i get the e-mail telling me i have a question the link doesn't work. Â*But i think it could be an AOL problem. Does anyone else have this problem.

LV-Advantage

09-11-2002, 05:05 AM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Lakemead1 @ Sep. 10 2002, 5:29 pm)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Now a bunch of you have seen it, here's a question:

Graphically, and aestetically, how nice is it compared to Boattraderonline, ebay, and boats.com?

Is it way nicer looking, average, not as nice, somewhere in the middle, you tell me http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Never really used ebay, I like it better than boats.com, I think you are right there with boattrader(but remember they have been around for awhile). I think you are looking pretty good out of the gate! I like the fact that you can see what people want to pay with the auction style. So if you really want to sell bad enough you can see what to expect $. When do you expect to be online?

THOR

09-11-2002, 05:54 AM

Have you heard about the house being built in 7-hills for the owner of E-bay?

LM1,
If you get that big, can I be your lackey?

BADFISH II

09-11-2002, 06:05 AM

sure bro, sure http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

BADFISH II

09-11-2002, 06:06 AM

it will be live by next weekend, which is why we're in crunch time and I needed all of your help.

The log in issues should either already be resolved, or they will be soon.

duckbutter

09-11-2002, 11:22 AM

Greg i still get the error when i try to bid my alias and password don't match WTF see if you can bid with mine and tell me what i'm doin wrong

BADFISH II

09-11-2002, 11:42 AM

works fine for me DB, I don't think you're the sharpest tool in the shed being from Fredonia and all (J/K) http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

You're not using the parenthesis when you put the password in are you? Just use the letters.

I just used your log in to bid on that wrecked boat, check it out!

duckbutter

09-11-2002, 12:15 PM

I'm just using the letters. when I log in it sez i logged in successfully but when i put in a bid it gives me the error. what do you do different?

BADFISH II

09-11-2002, 12:23 PM

are you loggin in from the home page?

it's case sensitive I think, check that too?

What browser are you using?

Strange that it works fine for me. Are you getting the emails about the bids etc.?

BADFISH II

09-13-2002, 10:03 AM

Ok, this is crunch time! We're almost ready to rock with it!

I really need your help now, this is important.

There are a few more listings on there. Please check out the site again, beat it up, as good as you can. Please post or pm me ANY things you think are confusing, or don't work.

Thanks EVERYONE, for all of your help!

Greg

BADFISH II

09-13-2002, 10:26 AM

Also, I need ONE new tester if possible. The registration process is fixed and working well now, but I want one more person to test.

And, DON'T FORGET TO VOTE PLEASE, YOU WILL NOT HURT MY FEELINGS, BE HONEST PLEASE, AND THINK OF IT AS YOU TYPED IN "BUY A BOAT" ON YAHOO AND FOUND MY SITE!

THANKS!

BADFISH II

09-13-2002, 01:34 PM

wow, you guys were starting to scare me, only 2 votes? I'm thinking your afraid to offend me http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/stare.gif

So I had to vote, of course you know what I voted.

Whoever voted it's ok, do me a favor, pm me and let me know how I can make it better. I don't just want it to be ok, I want it to be the BEST!

OutCole'd

09-13-2002, 01:49 PM

I would have voted, but there is not a catagory for me. I like the site. Easy to use, good looking, no problems. It is just I do think I am the type to bid on a boat. If I were in the market for a used boat. I would like to see a few to chhose from. I would know what brand and style I was after before I started looking. Look at all of them, drive the ones I like, then make an offer on the final one I chose. Not keep bidding on a boat I have never drove, and do not know if I would like it in person.
Great site though. Like I said easy to use, it is just I probably would not use it.

No hard feelings. Please do not kick me out. J/K

Bill

BADFISH II

09-13-2002, 01:57 PM

Bill, you're outta here http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif J/K

That's the beauty of it though. I recommend in the selling and buying tips and the FAQ's in several different ways that seller should be accomodating in showing the boat to a potential bidder/buyer, and buyer should see the boat first!

In the description, when you post an ad or auction you are supposed to put your contact info. That is one thing we're working on, an easier method of contacting the seller. But for now, the seller should put their contact info in that spot, and also a buyer could ask as many questions as they'd like through the ask about this item tab.

You've raised a good issue Bill, one that I've thought of long and hard and we're working on. The problem is that it's hard to customize this software.

Now that you've raised this question, how can I make it more clear to buyers that just because it's an auction doesn't mean they can't see the boat? Any ideas? I really need your feedback on this one.

Thanks for the input, it really does and will help!

BADFISH II

09-13-2002, 08:35 PM

Thank all of you so much. The input you've given me has lead to a branding change. Nationalboatauctions.com will now be known as BoatXchange.com

I thank you for your feedback and support!

Greg

BADFISH II

09-14-2002, 11:48 AM

Ok, new branding, check it out and let me know what you think of the BoatXchange http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

digginfordollars

09-17-2002, 04:07 PM

LM1, I couldn't find it anywhere. Is it working or are you still tweaking it? I tried yahoo, google and straight from my address bar, of course my trying it is the ultimate test of the computer illiterate getting to the site. It is www.boatxchange.com, right? How about a link on the homepage?

Kurt