Testers/reviews needed for a new TB App. (I'm sick of the bugs too)

**paul** · #1 04-20-2012, 11:26 AM

Ok guys, so due to frequent blank-page loads, crashes, etc with the current TalkBass Forum app (which is a rebranded ForumRunner app), I've decided to try out Tapatalk instead.

I will be installing Tapatalk on our server soon. Once it's installed, you can use Tapatalk to browse/post TalkBass. The only thing is that it'll cost $1.99 to buy Tapatalk from the App Store for anyone willing to test things out.

If the reports are favorable (ie no crashes or blank pages), I will shell out the $800 for a TalkBass branded Tapatalk app. This app would then replace the current ForumRunner TB app, and it would be free for all users.

If you're willing to test out Tapatalk please stay tuned to this thread. I'll update it when Tapatalk is installed on the server. Any subsequent reviews/experiences posted in this thread will be much appreciated.

Thanks!

BklynKen · #2 04-21-2012, 10:10 AM

Hi, Paul. I've been using Tapatalk for what feels like years now and it works quite well. I'll be happy to help test. Just curious, though, why you would spend the $800 for a branded app, as opposed to just installing the free Tapatalk app support.

Either way, thanks a lot for keeping up on this stuff.

-Ken

James Hart · #3 04-21-2012, 10:18 AM

looking forward to it Paul

James Hart · #4 04-21-2012, 12:18 PM

Fyi: I just bought tapatalk (was planning to anyway) and it was $2.99

**TXLawDawg** · #5 04-22-2012, 08:52 AM

I'm game to try it out.

**David Wilson** · #6 04-22-2012, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BklynKen

Hi, Paul. I've been using Tapatalk for what feels like years now and it works quite well. I'll be happy to help test. Just curious, though, why you would spend the $800 for a branded app, as opposed to just installing the free Tapatalk app support.

Either way, thanks a lot for keeping up on this stuff.

-Ken

not to speak for Paul, but I'd imagine two things

1) because then TB members can get it for free as opposed to having to buy the $2.99 Tapatalk app
2) Branding - TB is it's own app as opposed to being an option within someone elses app. If you prefer to use Tapatalk app, I'd imagine you can continue to do that.

**paul** · #7 04-23-2012, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Wilson

not to speak for Paul, but I'd imagine two things

1) because then TB members can get it for free as opposed to having to buy the $2.99 Tapatalk app
2) Branding - TB is it's own app as opposed to being an option within someone elses app. If you prefer to use Tapatalk app, I'd imagine you can continue to do that.

Exactly what I'm thinking

It's a good investment for us to be able to provide a free mobile app. The % of users accessing TalkBass through mobile devices continues to rise.

**paul** · #8 04-23-2012, 07:24 PM

Ok, the Tapatalk plugin is installed. TalkBass is now in the Tapatalk Network, so once you have Tapatalk installed, simply look up TalkBass.

So far I haven't hit any bugs. Thanks to all those who are able to test things out! Let me know how it compares to the current app.

Curmei · #9 04-23-2012, 08:10 PM

Hi Paul --
Very cool. Thanks for all the work you guys put in on this... just installed Tapatalk, and first impression is positive - very quick and I like that I can view profile info that I couldn't see in the app. If you guys have specific things you would like tested, please let me know. Otherwise, when I have spent more time, I will report back here.

Thanks again.

alembicguy · #10 04-23-2012, 08:33 PM

Tapatalk installed and seems to be running very well. I will keep a detail of any bugs I run in to.

alembicguy · #11 04-23-2012, 08:59 PM

Have noticed in tapatalk app I cannot lock or close my classified ads. Wondering if anyone else is having the same issue.

BklynKen · #12 04-23-2012, 09:04 PM

Replying now with Tapatalk. So far so good!

Curmei · #13 04-23-2012, 10:00 PM

I can't find where to lock/close threads either... maybe not an option in the app?

Curmei · #14 04-23-2012, 10:10 PM

One thing that may become annoying for some - showing my true, lazy self here - is when I bail out of the app for some reason, I then need to launch Tapatalk, then find TB before getting back to the threads. Not a huge thing - just an extra step, but one more step than I am used to for apps. However, the upside may be that users can manage multiple forums via the Tapatalk app, so maybe that outweighs the extra step.

BklynKen · #15 04-23-2012, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curmei

One thing that may become annoying for some - showing my true, lazy self here - is when I bail out of the app for some reason, I then need to launch Tapatalk, then find TB before getting back to the threads. Not a huge thing - just an extra step, but one more step than I am used to for apps. However, the upside may be that users can manage multiple forums via the Tapatalk app, so maybe that outweighs the extra step.

One extra step, I guess, though it will default back to the Me tab, where TalkBass will be at the top. But that may be moot since Paul said he'd probably be using it as its own branded app.

Curmei · #16 04-23-2012, 10:22 PM

Had a crash, but pretty minimal issue. Was viewing this thread:
FS: ATK 305 fretless. Black Beauty!

Clicked to view one of the images and got a message asking me to report the crash.

Tapatalk restarted and I was able to click right back to TB.

Running a Toshiba Thrive with Android 3.2.1.

Also a change in user flow... started this reply, then went to check on my OS version. Upon coming back to the app, I wasn't greeted with the message window, but had to click to TB from the home screen in Tapatalk, find the thread, then hit reply. When i did that, it asked if i wanted to insert the draft copy, so I didn't lose what I had typed, but was a different experience than the previous app.

* Also, have an iPad here, but staying on the Thrive as I am figuring I will see more oddities on it : )

BklynKen · #17 04-23-2012, 10:34 PM

For what it's worth, that thread and all pics came up fine for me. iPhone 4S with iOS 5.1 .

BklynKen · #18 04-23-2012, 10:36 PM

Plus I was pleasantly surprised that when I tapped on the URL, it opened in a new window with Tapatalk formatting, not a standard web view. Didn't expect that, but very cool.

Curmei · #19 04-23-2012, 10:48 PM

Yeah, I wasn't able to reproduce the error, and working in the app field, I understand all the user side variables that can wreak havoc. Just want to report things as I come across them.

The links opening in Tapatalk is definitely cool - much nicer than launching the browser.

Curmei · #20 04-24-2012, 07:14 AM

Can anyone say what the back end logic is for what gets marked as read or unread? Not a problem/bug, just curiosity on my part. Popped in this morning, and only three threads displayed as unread. Under 'all' those same three were in boldface and all others were plain text.

Thanks