eFront, Inc., an extension of BetaNews.com, today launched a new online network in a step to provide more specialized software and technology news. The same people behind BetaNews engineered this expansion, but eFront.com now stands as the front door to the network. It provides a customizable homepage for users featuring headlines from multiple sources on the Internet and also includes a showcase on notable product releases.
BetaNews.com, a site that has operated since June 1998 covering beta version software developments, underwent a complete redesign and features, among other things, improved usability. One of the main improvements visitors will notice is the ability to track beta releases with greater ease. Additionally, in accordance with software developer requests, companies will have free access to a pool of qualified beta testers to aid in the completion of their programs.
FileForum.com, the newest addition to the network, is an extensive download service that stores a wide array of programs updated hourly throughout the day. FileForum allows members to upload their own programs and gives users the opportunity to rate, review, and discuss all software on the site. Visitors will also appreciate the simple navigation as they browse through files.
eFront aims to deliver the latest news as it happens through a customizable “news to your doorstep” system via pager or e-mail, and soon ICQ. Other services include free email forwarding for members, with domain forwarding and dynamic DNS services in the works. Membership to the network is completely free makes you immediately eligible for all eFront contests.
We want to hear all of your questions, comments, concerns, and ideas. Feel free to drop us a line anytime, even if you just want to say “hi.” eFront was created from input you have given us over time, and we hope to continue improving the site based on your feedback.
We hope you enjoy it,
Well what a pile of s***e betanews has turned into =( what happened to the simple ability to click on Windows 2000 or Office 2000 etc, I don't want to have to search each and every time for a snipit of news or sift through a load of unrelated crap to get some info, did you guys sell out or something??? back to www.betaos.com it is then, A once very good site has been destroyed overnight =( change isn't always for the better...
My GAWD MAN You're Right!! I can't believe that one day I don't visit Betanews.com and low and behold what do I see when I come back?? A bunch of corporate piles trying to cover up their f*ck up of the site with "Usability Enhancements" My question is...what the hell was wrong with the site in the first damn place!!!?!?? This site went from the first site I visit of the day to never visiting this site again. Do I really want to know that Corel came out with a new beta? Bloatware. I am really interested in hearing about some of the lesser known beta's created by REALLY talented people,Individuals and not some corporate enema. Thanks a lot morons.
~UnleasheD
My GAWD MAN You're Right!! I can't believe that one day I don't visit Betanews.com and low and behold what do I see when I come back?? A bunch of corporate piles trying to cover up their f*ck up of the site with "Usability Enhancements" My question is...what the hell was wrong with the site in the first damn place!!!?!?? This site went from the first site I visit of the day to never visiting this site again. Do I really want to know that Corel came out with a new beta? Bloatware. I am really interested in hearing about some of the lesser known beta's created by REALLY talented people,Individuals and not some corporate enema. Thanks a lot morons.
~UnleasheD
Ick... what happened? I can understand the additions - but not the FEEL of it. Before you had a nice, unassuming black background - now STARK white? Before you could see the news without registering - now you can't? What gives? There wasn't even prior notice to the change! Just logged in one day (because I did so EVERYDAY) and BAM, it's different... and I have to register just to see some of the news! I couldn't even figure out how to register on the first day... just so I could respond to send this message. Change is usually good... but not this time.
I'm pretty disappointed too. On first load of the main page with IE5, it incorrectly loaded and there was some overlapping of things. That was minor though when I found out you needed to register and provide required information just to post a comment and that not once but TWICE during the signup process, the pages crapped themselves and had HTML tags showing up on the page itself were not useable until I had hit refresh. These are all first impressions of course, but so far they're not good ones. Maybe after a week of using it and customizing it I'll get used to it, we'll see.
I am sorry you feel this way about eFront. Like Chris said, we are considering certain page layouts as a customization. As soon as we work out the kinks associated with launching any new site, all the feedback will be taken into account, and we will make changes accordingly.
As for having to login twice - once you login you should not have to unless you click the Logout link. If this is not true for you, make sure you have enabled cookies. Registration is free, and only should take you a couple minutes. There is no need to register unless you want to use special features on the site such as layout customizations on eFront.Com and to rate, review, and talkback on any of the eFront Network sites.
Also sorry about the early kinks with MySQL. We have fixed the known problem, so if you encounter more please contact us so we can fix the error right away. Thank you for visiting eFront. Brian, eFront (brian.danielson@efront.com)
Thanks for the reply Brian. Now that I got that off my chest, let me move into more constructive criticisim of the site design.
First of all, I really liked the color scheme of the old BetaNews - it's the main reason I was there everyday (and I'm serious), sometimes 2-3 times a day. Kinda' like a ritual. That was one of my daily sites, just as much as UserFriendly.org is. In fact, I even stopped going to slashdot... but not my BetaNews! Couldn't miss that.
So, I loved the colors.... but I also liked the left/middle/right column design as well. Menu on the left, content in the middle, file links on the right. It was sheer bliss.
I hope you guys bring that layout back. Thanks for listening, it's a good start.
Like a lot of the new features, but I still miss the old main screen: being able to browse the latest betas and the associated blurbs without clicking (and waiting for php3).
3 is a good rating. You can browse through the file descriptions on fileforum.com, and, we'll also add an option that lets you make the blurbs longer! Thanks for the feedback!
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Well what a pile of s***e betanews has turned into =( what happened to the simple ability to click on Windows 2000 or Office 2000 etc, I don't want to have to search each and every time for a snipit of news or sift through a load of unrelated crap to get some info, did you guys sell out or something??? back to www.betaos.com it is then, A once very good site has been destroyed overnight =( change isn't always for the better...
Score: 1
|My GAWD MAN You're Right!! I can't believe that one day I don't visit Betanews.com and low and behold what do I see when I come back?? A bunch of corporate piles trying to cover up their f*ck up of the site with "Usability Enhancements" My question is...what the hell was wrong with the site in the first damn place!!!?!?? This site went from the first site I visit of the day to never visiting this site again. Do I really want to know that Corel came out with a new beta? Bloatware. I am really interested in hearing about some of the lesser known beta's created by REALLY talented people,Individuals and not some corporate enema. Thanks a lot morons.
~UnleasheD
Score: 1
|My GAWD MAN You're Right!! I can't believe that one day I don't visit Betanews.com and low and behold what do I see when I come back?? A bunch of corporate piles trying to cover up their f*ck up of the site with "Usability Enhancements" My question is...what the hell was wrong with the site in the first damn place!!!?!?? This site went from the first site I visit of the day to never visiting this site again. Do I really want to know that Corel came out with a new beta? Bloatware. I am really interested in hearing about some of the lesser known beta's created by REALLY talented people,Individuals and not some corporate enema. Thanks a lot morons.
~UnleasheD
Score: 1
|Ick... what happened? I can understand the additions - but not the FEEL of it. Before you had a nice, unassuming black background - now STARK white? Before you could see the news without registering - now you can't? What gives? There wasn't even prior notice to the change! Just logged in one day (because I did so EVERYDAY) and BAM, it's different... and I have to register just to see some of the news! I couldn't even figure out how to register on the first day... just so I could respond to send this message. Change is usually good... but not this time.
Score: 0
|I'm pretty disappointed too. On first load of the main page with IE5, it incorrectly loaded and there was some overlapping of things. That was minor though when I found out you needed to register and provide required information just to post a comment and that not once but TWICE during the signup process, the pages crapped themselves and had HTML tags showing up on the page itself were not useable until I had hit refresh. These are all first impressions of course, but so far they're not good ones. Maybe after a week of using it and customizing it I'll get used to it, we'll see.
Score: 0
|I am sorry you feel this way about eFront. Like Chris said, we are considering certain page layouts as a customization. As soon as we work out the kinks associated with launching any new site, all the feedback will be taken into account, and we will make changes accordingly.
As for having to login twice - once you login you should not have to unless you click the Logout link. If this is not true for you, make sure you have enabled cookies. Registration is free, and only should take you a couple minutes. There is no need to register unless you want to use special features on the site such as layout customizations on eFront.Com and to rate, review, and talkback on any of the eFront Network sites.
Also sorry about the early kinks with MySQL. We have fixed the known problem, so if you encounter more please contact us so we can fix the error right away. Thank you for visiting eFront. Brian, eFront (brian.danielson@efront.com)
Score: 0
|Thanks for the reply Brian. Now that I got that off my chest, let me move into more constructive criticisim of the site design.
First of all, I really liked the color scheme of the old BetaNews - it's the main reason I was there everyday (and I'm serious), sometimes 2-3 times a day. Kinda' like a ritual. That was one of my daily sites, just as much as UserFriendly.org is. In fact, I even stopped going to slashdot... but not my BetaNews! Couldn't miss that.
So, I loved the colors.... but I also liked the left/middle/right column design as well. Menu on the left, content in the middle, file links on the right. It was sheer bliss.
I hope you guys bring that layout back. Thanks for listening, it's a good start.
Steve Hartzog
Score: 0
|I would just be happy with the black background again, so much easier on the eyes. :)
Score: 0
|Well the old sites was better !
easy to browse and better looking !
this new one need a lots of works
Score: 0
|So which is better: 1 or 3?
Like a lot of the new features, but I still miss the old main screen: being able to browse the latest betas and the associated blurbs without clicking (and waiting for php3).
(first post!?)
Score: 0
|3 is a good rating. You can browse through the file descriptions on fileforum.com, and, we'll also add an option that lets you make the blurbs longer! Thanks for the feedback!
~Brad, eFront Team (live from Comdex!)
Score: 0
|