Can We Have Our Old File List Back?

[PinothyJ]

The 3FL one is clunky and counter-intuitive. I want to search by game and have a look at the files for that game. At the moment I have to search for a game, click on a file for the game in question, then click the game, then click a file list which, now that I am finally here, does not put them in nice categories like video and client files and mods but just gives you a big long list of blah. Is there a way to do it like the old days that I have missed or are we back to the internet stone ages again?


PLLEEEEAAAAASSSSEEEEEEEE…

[PirateEggs]

I second this.
It's probably something that's being worked on.

[v4moose]

doubt this will happen... but I do hope the file vault is high on their fix priorities.

[ThePathMaker]

The old file system was way better.

[Cas Bitton]

It's probably something that's being worked on.

It is

[Ekimus]

Well it also be updated like it use to on a regular basis?

Haven't had any files updates since the CARS/CARZ (?) on then 03/07/2012, which has now dropped off the top of the files list, and now its - 25/06/2012 Sid Meier's Civilization V: Gods & Kings Trailer.

I miss the old file site.

[debri]

Good to hear the file section is being worked on. I hope the alphabet listings re-appear. Seems like a strange choice to remove it in the first place

[Cas Bitton]

Well it also be updated like it use to on a regular basis?

New files will be added again soon . As the sole person who has managed our file library for the past few years, I literally do not have the ability to add new files at the moment.

This is being worked on and will be sorted out in time

I hope the alphabet listings re-appear. Seems like a strange choice to remove it in the first place

It's coming back, you will be able to sort and view our library alphabetically. The file library is running with a minimum feature set at present .

[XViper]

I had written a nicely worded and constructive post to address this.

Then I accidentally hit the backspace key when not in the text window, and lost everything.

So I will summarize.

WHY?!?!?! The rest of the site aside, why in the hell take something you had that worked, and turn it into some kind of retarded toddler version of itself? One big massive list? No functionality? URGH!

What IN THE HELL have you guys done to the site?

You're certainly not kidding about "minimum feature set".

If someone actually compared the two file lists, and decided that the current one is better than the previous one, I wan't to know what god damn drugs they were on.

What a disaster.

@Cas: You would obviously have a backend file system to sort, categorise and manage the file content.
Why can't we have a search feature and access to a similar navigation tool?

If I wan't to go looking for some RPG files I can go

Games > Role Playing Games > *

Or just search for the specific RPG I'm looking for if I know it.
Is it really that hard?

[Cas Bitton]

Is it really that hard?

Yes, it is

The alternative was to not offer the file library at all until it was in a suitable state for release. We made the decision to offer something rather then nothing. I'm somewhat certain you can agree with our solution at present regardless of functionality.

This isn't a copout nor an excuse, we are very much working to restore the functionality of our file library as we recreate it to work with our new website

@Cas: You would obviously have a backend file system to sort, categorise and manage the file content.
Why can't we have a search feature and access to a similar navigation tool?

No, I don't.

[XViper]

Is it really that hard?

Yes, it is

The alternative was to not offer the file library at all until it was in a suitable state for release. We made the decision to offer something rather then nothing. I'm somewhat certain you can agree with our solution at present regardless of functionality.

That should have applied to the whole damn website! You don't release something until it is suitable!

Just to be clear, I'm not directing this comments at you, like you are soley responsibe over the changes that were made recently. But the new website never should have been released in its current state, ESPECIALLY if the file library wasn't in a suitable state to go with it. You hold things back until EVERYTHING is ready to go.

Car manufacturers don't go releasing new car models if the ENGINE isn't safe and reliable? Like seriously......

Edit: Additionally, if you wan't to release something unsuitable as a 'place-filler', COMMUNICATE THIS TO THE PEOPLE WHO USE IT.
This entire design process, the changes, everything, has gone on almost entirely without any communication.
You say you're working on making the file system better, but we only find this out now, once a forum thread is made about it.
For anyone else NOT on the forums (which according to Tim are 'most' of the people, and the ones 'who matter'), they are only to assume that what you have is what is the intended finish product. Because after all, who releases something that's not finished?

@Cas: You would obviously have a backend file system to sort, categorise and manage the file content.
Why can't we have a search feature and access to a similar navigation tool?

No, I don't.

You don't?

Where do your files sit?
What file system?
What OS?
How do you manage the file content?
Almost every Server OS I know of has a managable folder structure.

I don't understand :\

[Cas Bitton]

You hold things back until EVERYTHING is ready to go.

Risk assessment when delivering a product within a fixed timeframe is also part of that process. You can't just make arbitrary delays because you feel like it.

Car manufacturers don't go releasing new car models if the ENGINE isn't safe and reliable? Like seriously......

And here come the car analogies

You don't?

Where do your files sit?
What file system?
What OS?
Almost every Server OS I know of has a managable folder structure.

I don't understand :\

The answer to this isn't really that relevant, it has little to do with the file library management. Well, from a customer experience/delivery POV.

How do you manage the file content?

By using a combination of web tools that have been internally developed over the years . At present they are being reworked and reintroduced to work with our current website.

These tools are unavailable to me at this time.

At some point Tim and I are probably going to have to slow down when it comes to replying to a lot of these topics, I mean it's great and I'm happy to answer questions all day....but we still have a lot to take care of eg: fixing things instead of being reprimanded by the public for our failures

We have spent a significant amount of time over the past week addressing community concerns, feedback and responses alongside a lot of really great progress. At the end of each day It's awesome to see things are shaping up!

[XViper]

You hold things back until EVERYTHING is ready to go.

Risk assessment when delivering a product within a fixed timeframe is also part of that process. You can't just make arbitrary delays because you feel like it.

From the feedback I've seen from your community, and how I personally feel, the delays or reasons for them would have hardly been "arbitrary".

Car manufacturers don't go releasing new car models if the ENGINE isn't safe and reliable? Like seriously......

And here come the car analogies

Fair enough. Didn't put alot of thought into it, but analogies are always good.

You don't?

Where do your files sit?
What file system?
What OS?
Almost every Server OS I know of has a managable folder structure.

I don't understand :\

The answer to this isn't really that relevant, it has little to do with the file library management. Well, from a customer experience/delivery POV.

I think it has some relevance. I guess my point is, the previous system made sense. It had a flow to it. Your users are obviously on computers, most of them probably Windows machines. People are familar with folder structure. Folders and files being inside other folders. This is what you had before, a structure. Now you don't.

If you as a server admin have a system in place that makes the content easy to manage and sort, then you need to apply a similar logical approach to the system the end-user has to use to navigate that content. Of course if your backend is **** or non-existant, this point is moot. Which appears to be the case at current. (your point below)

How do you manage the file content?

By using a combination of web tools that have been internally developed over the years . At present they are being reworked and reintroduced to work with our current website.

These tools are unavailable to me at this time.

I guess again my point is they should have been completed and ready to work with the current website before it was developed.

I work in a University IT environment. We make large modifications to server content all the time. You would NEVER introduce a new system without the ability to maintain and manage it. By the sounds of it, this is essentially what you have done.

These changes aren't the end of the world, but I can't help but feel you guys seriously screwed this one up. It seems like one big massive mistake. One which; knowing you Cas, I don't believe you wouldn't have taken a different approach to many of these issues.

Edit: Just noticed your edit:

At some point Tim and I are probably going to have to slow down when it comes to replying to a lot of these topics, I mean it's great and I'm happy to answer questions all day....but we still have a lot to take care of eg: fixing things instead of being reprimanded by the public for our failures

We have spent a significant amount of time over the past week addressing community concerns, feedback and responses alongside a lot of really great progress. At the end of each day It's awesome to see things are shaping up!

I apologise if my comments have come across as being "reprimanding", it's certainly not the intent. I also did'nt expect you to be replying so promptly. Cas; I have a great deal of respect for you and your positive attitude towards almost everything, regardless of the negativity around you. I'm just really surprised that what seems to be such a massive cock-up, happened on your watch. I'm also really surprised that Tim especially seems to be saying how everything has gone exactly as he wanted, everything is great, and there are no regrets on moving forward as you did. I honestly can't see how you can look back on this deployment and go "Yeah... that's exactly how I wanted it, and wouldn't do anything differently."

[Marius]

I'm happy with the main website going ahead while the file system gets worked on. In general, I like most of it more than the old one.

That should have applied to the whole damn website! You don't release something until it is suitable!

The problem with 'the whole website' approach is that everyone has different opinions on what they like or don't like. You can never have something that's 100% approved by 100% of your viewers.

For example, I like the grey and white theme, and the mods that some people have made that turn everything the darkest black aren't to my taste.

Yet that seems to be some people's major problem... not enough black! In this case, you'd have a split of opinion, making 100% agreement on how something should be implemented impossible to achieve.

[XViper]

None of my personal concerns really have much to do with subjective matters.
Everything with the new site/design that I 'dont like', is being 'worked on'.
Which means, its not finished.
I feel bad for Cas that he has a file library that he can't even manage because he doesn't have the tools. That is just bad project management.