(Archived) FORUM TOPICS: Please add a "Features Requests" thread

[blived 2]

Because it does not exits as a master-level topic in Forums, or as a link in the "help" menu, or as a hyper-link under Support via your web site, but because it is so important to us (and should be to you): please look at building-in easy access for delivery of feature requests.

Whereas it might seem like just begging for more work on what must be an already fairly full plate, providing us all, your grateful customers, with an easily accessible input port for features we feel would really enhance the effectiveness of this important app (for us, for you, for ALL) has proven to so many young companies/valuable solutions like yours to be a real value.

Where to put these "Feature Request" in-roads?

- here in Forums

- in the Help menu on your desktop client

- in the Support links section of your web site

All people need to feel for investing their time for free (after paying you, mind you for the solution itself) to help you know how to make your product better, is simply to let them know that:

a) you got their submission

you appreciate their care and creative input

c) their suggestion will be added to the monthly/quarterly/annual review and based on...(collective demand, viability of feature requested, demand on programming resources, etc.) and given full consideration for inclusion in next (or future) iterations

Thanks for prompt feedback on this as i now re-engage the HUNT for where to put some important requests.

Best and Kudos,

David

[jbenson2 2,147]

No - I have too many featers already. LOL

But since you mean a Features catch-all forum, I don't think this is a good idea. I want to see Windows related stuff, which is easy to find.

But if there is a Feature Requests, the odd-ball O/S like Linux, or small-market products like HP Pre will clutter up the proposed forum.

[blived 2]

sorry for typo.

i meant "FEATURES REQUESTS".

It is a very common USER FORUM section at most web-app Support Sites, and via HELP menu on clients.

It UN-clutters "feature requests" from being mixed-up in all sections to being well organized on one single FORUM SECTION with Sub-Sections like:

a) "Feature Requests: For Web Client"

"Feature Requests: For PC Client"

"Feature Requests: For MAC Client"

"Feature Requests: For Mobile Clients"

Why not?

[jbenson2 2,147]

Ah! Yes, the subsections concept would help cut down on the clutter.

But how do you define a Features Request?

There are currently issues with Evernote Windows version 3.5.5.2672 which causes Tag problems. Some people might consider a new release to solve the problem to be a Feature Request.

People don't like the bullets in Evernote and they consider an improvement to be a Features Request

People having problems with Paypal for the recurring monthly payments, would add their issue to the Features Request

I don't think a Features Request section will be clearly understood by the users of the forum.

[blived 2]

Ah! Yes, the subsections concept would help cut down on the clutter.But how do you define a Features Request?

JB:

A feature request is for the creation/implementation of a currently non-existent or non-available functionality; distinct from the need for a currently existing feature or functionality in need of repair. For this exact reason many/most software user forums (to solutions where i pay money each month, sometimes for years) clearly separate (or "route") these separate concerns into:

a) trouble tickets (actual problems)

-vs-

"Current Feature Modification Requests" (ex: desiered improvements, refinements, UI upgrades, etc. in the current version)

c) "New Feature Requests" (ex: users want to do something or see some functionality that is currently not there)

Its is to this last category ("c", above) that I believe the company could do itself and its users a world of good by further clarifying easy routes of user input, ...as well as better means for company feedback on:

a) that they've received the request

where that request falls in the version updating schedule

c) when a given new feature can be (ever roughly) hoped to be released/available.

See?

PS: JB, are you an Evernote programmer or company member in any way?

Just asking to understand the relevant impact of two members jawing-away on this topic which the company may, or may not, be listening to/caring about?

[jbenson2 2,147]

Yes, I see.

But will the majority of the forum users remember those distinctions?

Regarding the user input:

where that request falls in the version updating schedule

c) when a given new feature can be (ever roughly) hoped to be released/available.

After reading many of the Evernote staff comments, I know that options and c) go against the grain of Evernote (and many other software companies)

No, I am not an Evernote employee. I am just a retired fellow who jumps from one forum to the next and adds his 2 cents worth.

I know the Evernote staff members are checking these posts daily and even on the weekends.

[blived 2]

But will the majority of the forum users remember those distinctions?

JB,

Cool/thanks/nice to meet you (fellow Minnesotan here, now wandering brazil).

Reply:

Note that users don't have to "remember [any] distinctions" for use of current forums. The degree to which the current forums are valuable and actively used is clearly based on:

a) knowing what people will need to speak about/want to read and learn from and

knowing how to group and titles these forum sections

No "memory of distinctions" necessary as the forum section themselves route the visitor's interest by presence and clarity of their title (or create a mess by their absence when commonly needed or expected).

My whole point here is that they are missing a few key Forum Threads which, if created, will:

a) clean out forum clutter

route new ideas and needs to a clear location

c) provide the company the chance to ensure customers feel "heard"

d) provide company tabulate'able data for assessing (together with whatever other priorities they have) how to prioritize, plan, and report on version upgrade/dev milestones

...ALL of which, in turn, helps the community of consumers here to feel valued, participatory, and hopeful that the app that brought them this far will be growing with them if they stay loyal (and paying).

Cool?

Now to see if the company IS listening as you say and i pray.

;-))

[jbenson2 2,147]

Bom dia!

Minnesota to Brazil - now that is a change! I had a chance to set up a factory in Manaus, but the deal fell through at the last minute and we ended up in Costa Rica.

Just saw a news clip last night about a retired British officer who walked from the Pacific side of S. American along the Amazon River to the Atlantic. Took him over 900 days plus 5 million mosquito bites. He collapsed in exhaustion on the next to last day, but recovered and the final clip showed him running across the beach and diving into the the Atlantic.

Cuidado!

[BurgersNFries 2,407]

viewtopic.php?f=30&t=17008&p=68254&hilit=feature+linux#p68254

[blived 2]

Guys,

Thanks so much:

1. JB: very cool to meet you. Your ref to mad brit that did that long SAmerican slog (can you URL'me to a name or trip log?) reminded me of that amazing (National Geog.) mad-man that did that transect of Africa... who says this world is not still full of unexplored wonders, eh?

2. Burgers-n-fries: thanks for that key link... im reading up now and humbled by how much thought has already gone into this. One question: any conclusions or anticipated upgrades along these lines?

Question for both (all) of you: so for now then, and to be most in sync with how things are done here currently, when wanting to post a "New Feature Request" so that it is see/valued/recorded/considered/etc., shall i just drill-down into whatever applicable Forum Section (eg: Evernote User Forums: Mac) and create a new topic?

Very nice to meet you both and thanks again.

david (at belived dot com)

[jbenson2 2,147]

Question for both (all) of you: so for now then, and to be most in sync with how things are done here currently, when wanting to post a "New Feature Request" so that it is see/valued/recorded/considered/etc., shall i just drill-down into whatever applicable Forum Section (eg: Evernote User Forums: Mac) and create a new topic?

Yes, that is exactly what I would do.

By the way, BurgersNFries is a woman. She knows a lot about Evernote.

Here is the link, including a video of the crazy guy who walked the length of the Amazon River.

http://bit.ly/aw12v5

[blived 2]

By the way, BurgersNFries is a woman. She knows a lot about Evernote.

mae culpa!

*attempts an apologetic bow her way,...falls on ass*

;-))

[BurgersNFries 2,407]

By the way, BurgersNFries is a woman. She knows a lot about Evernote.

mae culpa!

*attempts an apologetic bow her way,...falls on ass*

;-))

(Helps David up & dusts him off.)

No problem! Nice to meet you as well!

Also, FWIW, If you find a thread on a bug/request that doesn't have a (recent) reply by someone whose name is in red, it's not because they don't love us:

viewtopic.php?f=39&t=12952#p68548

viewtopic.php?f=45&t=17178&p=70328&hilit=clever#p70328

Dave has repeatedly stated that someone from EN reads each & every post on these boards:

viewtopic.php?f=53&t=16125&p=64523&hilit=read#p64523

viewtopic.php?f=30&t=15759&p=62395&hilit=read#p62395

viewtopic.php?f=45&t=15644&p=61868&hilit=read#p61868

viewtopic.php?f=53&t=15468&p=61298&hilit=read#p61298

viewtopic.php?f=39&t=15125&p=59406&hilit=read#p59406

viewtopic.php?f=38&t=14921&p=58381&hilit=read#p58381

If you spend some time reading through the threads, I think you'll find the presence of the EN staff is incredible. If you want to cut to the chase on that subject, just check out the current number of posts listed on the right side of any of Dave Engberg's posts. As it stands now, six more posts & he's hit 10,000!!!

(PAR-TAY!)

(Where's a dancing banana when you need one?)

[engberg 89]

We used to have task-based forums, but they didn't tend to be very useful for other community members, since all of the different platforms were thrown together. Other users tend to associate more by platform, and have relevant discussions based on their own clients, whereas "horizontal" forums get a bit muddled.

But we read every post on every forum, so feel free to put your suggestions here. We may not have a clever reply for each of them, but we do appreciate the input.

[blived 2]

Thanks Dave,

Clear by the quality of the features present and the loyalty of the following here that you guys are working hard and doing well.

Thanks for reassuring that all comments are read/followed. Great.

Given that the underlying issue (a common functionality request, i've since discovered) for me (in suggesting the creation of a "New Feature Suggestions" Forum) still remains UN-answered, could i use your attention here for a moment to either answer or point me to where you have already answered the 100's asking, in one way or another:

When will there be, or what's the development progress on, Evernote desktop (Mac) client functionality for Shared Notebooks?

...for enterprise and workgroup (or work at distance) use cases, this function is a make-it or break-it issues for most prof clients.

Thanks for enlightening,

David

[jefito 5,589]

When will there be, or what's the development progress on, Evernote desktop (Mac) client functionality for Shared Notebooks?

...for enterprise and workgroup (or work at distance) use cases, this function is a make-it or break-it issues for most prof clients.

Rule #2 (after "Evernote staff reads every post" is "Evernote rarely gives out release timeframes or progress reports". Dave will probably appear to verify this, but if you do a search for "jerk", you'll find a number of posts where he states this in the forums.

~Jeff

[blived 2]

Thanks for informing me of how it goes here, whether by policy or by practice.

My response to learning this is not "jerk" or the like but rather disappointment and resignation.

In large projects (with big stake-holders and thousands of customers) that I've managed in the past, my experience has shown me that consumers would rather see a company brave the transparency that an honest feature delivery milestone represents and then miss it/deliver late then to be simply left in the dark about development priorities and targed functionality roll-outs.

I respect the company's right to experiment with consumer expectation and trust this, obviously good company, will make a choice in the end that balances company peace with consumer expectation/desire/need.

Guess that Evernote's policies in this regard cost them less in lost customers than it gains in the in-house comfort of having no official external/customer development expectations or performance markers to have to risk not meeting.

Again, thanks for this important FYI.

-D

[BurgersNFries 2,407]

I hate to keep dredging this up b/c it's kind of like bringing up your SO's exes. OTOH, I think it might help with understanding where EN is "coming from." A couple of years ago, EverNote, the precursor to the Evernote service was on the brink of shutting down. It was a Windows only payware program. Not enough people bought the software to cover expenses. They changed their focus (to the Evernote service I/we now know & love) and have been very successful with that. My husband is also a business owner. When/if your business income can't meet the payroll, it comes out of your pocket/savings/credit card. When/if your business fails, it's not just you that's out of a job (and in debt) but also everyone who works for you. Being an owner certainly has it's perks but it's also a huge responsibility. So it may well be that EN is being very cautious in how they allocate their spending. That whole once burned thing.

Having said all that, I realize EN is not going to fulfill the needs of every single person on the planet. That's why there are other apps that have a similar functionality. But for me, I'd have to say EN is probably one of my top two most used apps, the other being Outlook (for email.) So I want them to continue to be successful.

I can only minimally address the issue of "if your project doesn't meet the stated deadlines" thingie b/c I've always worked for "small" businesses as opposed to IBM/Motorola/etc. IME, if you're dealing with in house people you know & can recognize if you saw them at the mall, yes, those people tend to be more forgiving. Not only b/c you have "a relationship" with them but also b/c they may be aware of other projects you're working on b/c the person who sits across the aisle from them has been bitching about something for six months & you finally got that fixed for them. OTOH, people you deal with "from a distance" don't have that insider knowledge or that relationship with you & therefore are much more quick to criticize & make judgment calls about how you must be a crackhead who is visiting porn sites all day instead of doing your job. But I digress... (Not really sure how I got off on that tangent but...

Anyway, I guess my point is that given the history, I think it's fair to "assume" the last two sentences of my first paragraph.

[/lecture mode]

[jefito 5,589]

There may just be a difference between managing contract-driven development (guessing that this is what you were involved with) and managing the expectations of millions of (mainly) individual customers via frequent updates in a pretty competitive arena while juggling rapid growth over multiple disparate platforms, or it may just be a style thing on the part of Evernote management. It's just the way they do things there, and it may not fit what you're comfortable with, judging by your feeling of resignation and disappointment.

~Jeff

[blived 2]

Thanks again Jefito for thoughtful comments that supported me to double-check my expectations and step into the other's shoes here.

I'll close with this: The product is good enough that, baring the sudden appearance of a competitively priced solution possessing this missing functionality (shared folders access via desktop client), I'll stick with it and hope/wait for now.

Thanks,

D

[engberg 89]

Sharing in our desktop clients is a very high priority. If I had a nickel for every time our CEO has brought this up, I could buy a fancy coffee. It's not done yet because it's a lot of work to do right and cleanly, but we're working on it.

Thanks

[blived 2]

Thanks Dave.

Sometimes a little, general, update like that, one that might only affirm an intention and general priority level, helps a lot.

Went to re-post your comment http://forum.evernote.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=18149&p=73914#p73914 Dave, but found you (as it should be and is) a step ahead.

Cheers,

-D