7 replies to this topic

[Ken Nielsen]

I've had iBird West for about a year now and have an iPhone 3GS. A few days ago when starting up the iBird app, it asked me to 'Register.' I don't know what that was about, then it asked me to sign up for something called 'Make A Guide' whatever that is. The problem is, I'm not able to complete the 'register' or 'make a guide' requested info becuase it ends with a pull-down menu that askes to make a choice of where you heard of 'make a match.' None of this makes sense to me. I never asked for any of this. The iPhone has no way for me to operate the 'pull-down' menu. I can highlight it but that is all, the menu does not expand so I can make a choice. Whomever programmed this is out of touch with what works and what does not work on the iPhone, or, it did not give instructions for how I was to make something work that apparently did not want to work. Because of this, I have spent lots of time I didn't want to in trying to resolve this issue. The menu never submits my 'registration' or my 'make a guide' whatever that is, and so keep cropping up every time I want to use iBird now. What a damaging intrusion on iBird.

Does anyone know how to fix this or make it go away?

Thanks,

Ken

 

[admin]

Ken Nielsen:

I've had iBird West for about a year now and have an iPhone 3GS. A few days ago when starting up the iBird app, it asked me to 'Register.' I don't know what that was about, then it asked me to sign up for something called 'Make A Guide' whatever that is. The problem is, I'm not able to complete the 'register' or 'make a guide' requested info becuase it ends with a pull-down menu that askes to make a choice of where you heard of 'make a match.' None of this makes sense to me. I never asked for any of this. The iPhone has no way for me to operate the 'pull-down' menu. I can highlight it but that is all, the menu does not expand so I can make a choice. Whomever programmed this is out of touch with what works and what does not work on the iPhone, or, it did not give instructions for how I was to make something work that apparently did not want to work. Because of this, I have spent lots of time I didn't want to in trying to resolve this issue. The menu never submits my 'registration' or my 'make a guide' whatever that is, and so keep cropping up every time I want to use iBird now. What a damaging intrusion on iBird.

Does anyone know how to fix this or make it go away?

Thanks,

Ken

Ken Sorry to hear you are having trouble with the registration page. The iPhone does things differently than software people are used to. For example there is no such thing as a "pull down menu". When you tap the "Where did you hear about us" menu the screen splits in half and presents a scrolling list of choices you can pick from. But scrolling does not really describe the control, its more like a roller, the kind you might see on a lock dial for a suitcase. You just swipe the control to make it spin. In fact its called a spinner. Once you have tapped one of the menu items (you can pick other too) the screen will go back to normal and all you do its tap the Submit button and the registration is done.

And did you notice there are two other buttons on either side of the Submit button. One is called Later and one is called Never. Tap Never and you will never see the reg page again. Tap Later and it will show up the next time you start iBird.

There is also a button at the very bottom of the reg page called "Tell me about Make a Guide" which explains what this free offer is about. And if  you want to know more about the MAG you can click on this link

http://www.whatbird....ke-a-guide.aspx

I hope this helps.

Mitch

[Ken Nielsen]

I noticed all of the options that you mention Michael, and thank you for the concise reply, but 

The page cannot be found

is the result for the link you gave above.

I am pretty familiar with the iPhone, as like many who have one, I practically 'live' with it. The iBird registration page needs to be re-done to work in normal iPhone fashion: simple check box choices would be best, not a 'rolling' spinner - which is something I've only seen on Las Vegas slot machines for the iPhone. Maybe a simple email announcement to owners of the iBird program would be best, which would allow more room for lengthy explanation which seems to be in order. All I am saying is that it is tax time and announcements which are more 'taxing' are not really wanted by users. I'm wondering if I received this message when I start iBird if it is actually saying 'you are not registered' which I thought I was, and if I was, why would I be given the option of registering again. and why would I be given the option to opt out of registering if I am not registered? It all makes no sense to me.

If there is no harm, and iBird will continue to function normally as it has been if I choose to never register, then I will do that because it is the easy choice, not because I don't want to be registered.

Also: I am interested in what make-a-guide is, but would rather look at the details online from my computer if there is an explanation available that way. Then I can decide if I want to purchase or make use of make-a-guide and order it through iTunes if it is available at the apple store.

Thank you for your patience and willingness to explain this,

 

Ken

 

[admin]

Sorry that was a bad link, here is the correct one

http://www.whatbird....ke-a-guide.aspx

I appreciate your ideas about how to implement the registration page. We have implemented it in fashion that is standard for iPhone users and so far out of thousands of users we have not heard any complaints or confusion. I don't want to get into a debate about UI design in this forum. Take a look at the link on your PC and you can decide if you are interested in the MAG. And as I said with the reg page you can tap the Never button and not have to ever see it again.

[admin]

Ken Nielsen:

The iBird registration page needs to be re-done to work in normal iPhone fashion: simple check box choices would be best, not a 'rolling' spinner - which is something I've only seen on Las Vegas slot machines for the iPhone. 

I thought this might help you understand more about UI design: We did not use check boxes because a) they would make the page require vertical scrolling, which means its much more likely not to be read (you want to keep any kind of announcement as brief as possible or it will be skipped over), b) any kind of checkbox would have to be large to allow for a finger tap and so take up way more room, c) they would need to be radio buttons not checkboxes because its a one and only one choice, etc. Apple build the spinning control for exactly these purposes.

[Ken Nielsen]

Thanks Mitchell, Your patient replies here are part of what makes WhatBird an even better forum for bird lovers.

A good link and great information.

 

Ken

 

 

[Dhapp]

 I tried the link and got this:

The whatbird MAG is currently offline

 Does MAG actually exist?

If so how do I get it to my iPod.  I must tell you that this iPod is my apple product and I think in 'pc'.

I too got the request to register my iBird Pro which I attempted to do, not sure how to check if the registration when through.

I was interested in MAG and tried to follow screens to see how much it cost or how to download it.  Dead end.

I retreated to my trusty PC to investigate the problem.I tried to find " iBird Explorer: Finally a field guide as light as a feather. See it at http://www.ibird.com "

But was unsuccessful.

 

[goofy166]

We have decided to retire the MAG.