Suggestions

So because it is free does that mean it has to be next to useless?

"A few seconds for a single step isn't of great consequence in itself, but in a sequence of several steps, then the interface is a major drag and a discouragement for further use."

The GR advice is: "Please could you try using google chrome? We don't usually ask members to switch browsers but feel this might be a good solution for you."

So it would seem that it's the customer's responsibility to resolve the vendor's design shortcomings ?!

The tree was what persuaded me to join Genes nearly 9 years ago. It has been a very important unique selling proposition (USP) compared to competitord. Simple and uncomplicated intro to computerside on line trees for those of us of a conservative and non tecky mind. Whether tree is free or not, many of us have happily been paying Genes every year mainly for the tree facility.

So this "free tree" argument is fractious and a waste of time. We came cos the tree was good, we stayed cos the tree was good, we leave cos the tree is now...... (what is the word I am looking for). And I now doubt things will get much better as the same programmer is in situ still.

Also, we all pay indirectly through hits and advertising revenue. So even the free subscribers contribute to the success or otherwise of Genes.

While I do not like the prospect of changing browsers (and I will try again with Chrome)it is true that more sites are not supporting IE for whatever reason.

I have a tree on Tribal Pages and they updated the site recently and IE no longer gives access to all the areas-Chrome being suggested :-)

(1) Updating / adding people to the new tree is a real drag, it takes ages and is very boring to do. Yes it does work but is to say the least no fun. I was not a great fan of the old tree but at least you could add people fairly easily.

This needs to be sorted out. Suggest the mega elephant size edit box is dumped in favour of a smaller one that is restricted to essentials and can be seen at a glance. Then, if people want to add more detail, bring up the more complex edit. This would also stop the silly 2 stage system currently used.

I can see no reason why GRU should ban the use of upper case for names or places.

(2) Navigating the tree with the endless mouse scrolling is a royal pain and for me negates the chief reason to use GRU at all. It was far easier to navigate the old tree, indeed it was a snap.

(3) Rename the "dashboard" (which is nothing of the sort) to something sensible such as "Shared Trees". Also tab the box alpabetically rather than the current mad 12345 system. fwiw it has also become near impossible to find shared tree contacts in "My Contacts". Please sort this out.

It might be a good idea to get a few real live GRU members (who also sub to the census records) down to yr offices in London for a day or two (full expenses) and see how the current release does not really work and what can be done about it. Clearly the team have little idea. Indeed they do not even some to know rule 1 of business, communicate with your customers.

:-(

I want the OLD TREE back. I find the new tree impossible and frustrating.

In the last 10 years I have been on Genes site nearly every day. Now I try to avoid it like the plague. The whole site is so complicated and hard to navigate.

Ann

Back on 29 August I posted this:

"What chance of someone form the Genes Team now posting a note on this thread to indicate that they have read and inwardly digested the comments therein???

Slim, I guess, but it really would be a morale booster for all those posters who have taken the time to write up their comments about the ghastly new tree.

Even better, of course, would be for GR to now say what they are actually going to do to improve matters. The majority opinion from this thread is firmly that the new format is disliked (to put it mildly) and that many are proposing to leave GR when their current sub runs out. Surely that should be a matter of concern for GR and make them LISTEN to what us paying customers WANT. (But maybe they don't realise that because they don't actually read this thread - despite what they say?"

Since then, Estelle posted a note when she returned from holiday on 11 September saying:

"Hi everyone, thanks to you all for your posts so far. I have been on holiday for a couple of weeks so not been around to post. I am sorry if you thought we were ignoring you - that is not the case at all.

I will be taking some time out this week though to sit down, read every suggestion and make a note of them. I speak to the tree team on a weekly basis and it looks like there will be some good suggestions to pass on. "

Since then no further posts from GR on either this or, unless I've missed them, any other threads.

I THINK IT IS TIME FOR AN UPDATE FROM GR - PLEASE!

HELP!!!

What am I doing wrong? I type in the birth place box the town and press SAVE...it deletes. Type it in again press SAVE....it deletes...GRRrrrrrr!!!!!!!

Typed alot of notes in the note box..SAVED....it DELETES!!!!!!!!

I hate this NEW TREE!!!!!!!!!

Jennifer, try closing, then reopening your tree. The info may have returned to the boxes... It's a damned niusance and one shouldn't have to 'work around it' that way.

I've had the same problem and reported it to GR yesterday. I suggest you send them a Feedback report so they know it isn't just me having the problem!

Is there anybody there?

Knock once for yes and twice for no.

Well it is not a Genes employee for that matter, as they don't like negative feed back at all.

Chrome well I don't like it.

The tree not I don't like.

And if more people leave GR does those who pay prices go up to maintain the wages of those working for them???

I think it will.

Thank you Simon I'll try doing that.

I HAVE sent a feedback report to GR..They sent a reply saying "We can't repricate (is that the right word) your problem are you using a laptop or PC which browser etc.,

It was never an issue with the OLD TREE which browser or machine was used. I use "Firefox on PC Windows 7 with uptodate Flash, Clear cache every turn off so it should work.

I do wish the OLD TREE was back....Thank you for your help Simon X

Newspaper Archive - Screen Control U/S ? (I know this thread is for Tree suggestions)

The movement control for an article I've just accessed is incompletely formed (Top RH side of viewer), making it impossible to zoom in/out. Refreshing the screen makes no difference (WinXP & IE8).

I've submitted a support request, but it's yet another GR functionality problem .. and not helped by an inability to accept attachments via e-mail, such as screen shots.

This was a response from Genes on Rollo's thread on Suggestions last night .......at least it tells us something.



philmoir Report 22 Sep 2012 16:12
Sorry, this may be considered one of these sporadic responses from myself, but please believe when I say that me and my dev team have been working very hard to make the right improvements for all users of the site. If I explain it this way. If we were Ford Motor Cars and after designing the Model T and everyone liked it but we decided job done no more changes we would be out of business. Change is inevitable, and we have to try and work out what is right for members and what is right to stay competitive in the online genealogy business. Some members like the change some dont. We have to try and cover both camps. The tree is now developing and improving far faster in terms of features and core functionality that ever before. It is worth rechecking every couple of weeks as fixes are being deployed as soon as they are ready. The main site has new features coming. And when we do make improvements to the boards I will be reviewing all the suggestions that have been made. We cannot please everyone but we are trying to give you a better genealogy site for both family history research and discussion.I hope you stay with us.

Welcome news be it all very late coming

Suex

Just cancelled my automatic subscription.Won't return until something is done about the appalling new tree.

Phil also posted on the "Attachments" thread yesterday-so someone must be keeping tabs on things periodicaly :-)

May i suggest to GR that before asking what people would like , that the tree is actually WORKING for everyone. As it is not working for me at the moment. I cannot save anything. I have been all weekend without being able to do this or contact GR as they only work Mon to Fri. I have written to them.
I also will cancel my subscription when the time comes. This site is s...t

Sue

Sue


why will you not try to download either Firefox or Chrome??


Most people seem to have many fewer problems with either one of those than with the IE


Both are free to download ........ just google wither name

and both are easy to download.

If I can do, you certainly can. You do not need to pay anyone to do it for you.



It would be worth at least trying one of them before taking the drastic step of removing your tree and leaving GR.





sylvia

Hi Sylvia

I did try to download Chrome but I muck it up some how ..so now Iam to chicken to try again .
Going to give Firefox a go .

I have found an improvement on the site over the weekend my Computer is at least a bit faster to load on tree than it was.

I know we have to go forward in technology but to make the site useless to all those that are not up to date with the latest web sites and browsers is not the right way to run a paying site.

I can see they have done some repairs so lets see how that continues...they have to keep the paying members up to date though with how things are progressing ...very infuriating when you hear nothing from them.

Suex :-D

Edit

Genes ...Can we have the save button at the top of the Tree page please ...save us going from 100% to 75% Zoom all the time .

Hi everyone, thanks again for your feedback. We do read it, and I am really sorry that I don't always have the time to post on here and reply.
I see quite a few comments about how slow the tree is, and this does concern me. For those of you who find the tree very slow, it would be a help if you could tell us more about your internet connection. If you could email the details to our support team please. Their address is [email protected]. It would help to know if you are on a broadband connection. And if you are, whether or not you connect to the internet wirelessly or if you have a cable from your internet router directly to your PC or laptop.
Kind regards,
Estelle - Genes Product Executive