Whatbird.com

Hi: I am new to iBird, and I wanted to try this forum out with iBird comments. I tried iBird Pro this weekend on a trip for the first time, and while I liked it at first (and, to be honest, I still like it), I found a large number of what I consider flaws in the program, or more appropriately the information included in the program--especially the databases used for searches. I wanted to write a review on it, but it would be very lengthy and the info I want to convey is probably not the best for a review, and I thought maybe posting on this forum is a better way to express my thoughts on these issues. I tried Twitter, but have never used that site and couldn't figure out how to post a comment to the forum there. I also tried email contact through the WhatBird site, but after filling in the info and trying to send it, I appear to have been bumped to a help page without sending the email. What is the best way to say "Hey, this and this is a problem" and also send suggestions? A large post here? Direct email? Or should I not even bother?

 andyd

I'm not associated with this site in any way, but I would say post a lengthy post here.  Mitch Waite, the guy who runs this place, tends to be pretty prompt in replying to forum threads here and always encourages discussion.

Dear andyd yes by all means list the things you think need improvement in iBird. The program will never be perfect but we want to improve everything we are able to. Try to keep your comments constructive and be prepared to hear that some things are easier to change than others, and in some cases we have found that certain features were not understood. But please make a list. I think everyone here will toss in there own thoughts. We have made many changes based on what our testers and users have suggested. Customers are usually right, except when they are not

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iBird Explorer: Finally a field guide as light as a feather. See it at http://www.ibird.com

I also have no ties to WhitBird or iBird other than being a VERY happy user.  I started with iBird Plus in December and upgraded to iBird PRO when it became available.  I love both these programs though, for obvious reasons, I don't use Plus as often as I used to, other than to demonstrate the differences to others.  Every time I demonstrate this app, others are as blown away as I have been.  I know of at least one person who got an iPhone just to get this app.

It is important to have realistic expectations, but from the start I have been blown away by the excellent quality of this program and it's ease of use and how quickly I can find info to show to less experienced birders, without having to fumble through field guides or indexes, and how to use search criteria.

In the very beginning, I did note a few minor errors or imperfections, but the developer really does respond.  Very quickly we have seen frequent free upgrades to correct small errors, add new features and add new information.

Please do provide info as to technical or factual suggestions -- Mitchell Waite has been extremely responsive where possible. 

I tried to post a lengthy list but for some reason it went to a moderator. Oh well.

The forum software automatically moderates very long posts from users that first sign up to avoid spam. I think your comments are all good. Given how large and long the list is I think email is a better way to discuss your thoughts. Some of them I think are a misunderstanding in how the product works. Others are very good points. Thanks for sending them off.

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iBird Explorer: Finally a field guide as light as a feather. See it at http://www.ibird.com

Great. I'd like to know what my misunderstandings are. However, my main concern is the data being used to generate custom search lists, and many of my points are related to that. I think these searches are a fantastic idea, however as I pointed out in my lengthy rambling, my first few attempts at doing that did not make me feel comfortable that the search results were complete and accurate. I am going to Colorado in a few weeks and I'd love to use the program and set it to give me a Colorado bird list, and maybe even a Colorado Mountains/Forest list. But I probably won't use that custom search feature because I don't feel confident that some Colorado and/or mountain expected species won't be excluded because of these parameters, so I will probably just use the full iBird list.

andyd