Private Beta of Site Update

[[violet]]

I'd like to run a brief private beta of the changes mentioned on the site News page, and invite interested nations to apply below for an access code.

The aim of the beta is to:

• Find bugs & annoyances
• Provide a preview of changes for those who may be particularly impacted by them

You can apply if:

• You provide some kind of service that will be affected (eg a periodic RMB post summarizing your region's rankings, a web site providing NS-related stats); or:
• You use the NS API for something beyond simply sending telegrams; or:
• You have some other ranking-related claim to fame, like being #1 in the world at something.

Numbers are strictly limited because I don't want to spend all day creating temporary manual logins.

If you're interested, please post below, saying why you'd like to take part! Over the few days, telegrams will go out to those who are accepted, containing a username/pw combination that will allow you to create new nations on the beta site.

Participants in the private beta aren't permitted to share screenshots or details in public. If you can't agree this, please don't apply!

The beta will run for 1-2 weeks, starting later this week.

[Caelapes]

I'd like to take part, being the original author of The Red Fleet's API scripts and someone who has some experience in finding bugs.

[Ambroscus Koth]

I would like to apply as a coder who utilizes the API in various raiding related endeavors.

[Drachmaland]

This is my application to take part in the private beta of the site update.

• I use the NS API for studying issues' effects.
• I own/manage two world #1 nations at the time.
• I'm currently writing a gameplay guide for nations wishing to shoot for 100/100/100 (already having a handful of them myself), and I've put it on hold because it'll need it to be fed back with any changes due to the update.

I fully understand the non-disclosure requirements, and I concur.

[Leppikania]

So, when is this planned to be released outside of beta?

[Eluvatar]

So, when is this planned to be released outside of beta?

The beta will run for 1-2 weeks, starting later this week.

That is planned to be approximately at the end of the month. No promises, I imagine.

[Tessen]

As a veteran NS player with a Tessen game population of just under 24 billion, as well as high standing among the top 1% of the world in many rankings (I'll quote Most Scientifically Advanced for the purposes of this application), I would be honored to toss my hat into the ring as a beta tester for the forthcoming NS site updates.

I also, hereby confirm my willingness to keep said beta-testing knowledge confidential outside of the beta site.

[Lockdownn]

I'd be willing to participate in the beta testing as, from a smaller region, have a lot of top 5% badges which would most likely translate to 1% in larger ones.

Not being much of a technical person, I'd be willing to look for bugs and provide a periodic RMB post with rankings included.

[Phydios]

I don't know if I'm qualified enough, but I certainly have some ranking-related claims to fame. On this nation, I'm top 1% worldwide for Most Average; on Tonosia, I'm top 1% for Most Corrupt; on Chirun, I'm top 1% worldwide in five rankings, including Most Armed and Most Extensive Civil Rights.

I would love to help you find bugs in the new layout, and I certainly promise to not share info on the beta for as long as it is private.

[Klaus Devestatorie]

edit: nvm did not read requirements

[Bears Armed]

I volunteer, too.
My qualifications for a beta-testing place are that this is a WA-commended nation with several '"Top 01% in the World" ratings.

[Athretvari]

I'd love to test using the NS API with new info to construct some custom national calculators using google sheets.

[The United Island Tribes]

I am the author of Pynationstates, the python api wrapper for nationstates.

I would like to join this beta to make sure my API wrapper isn't broken and to integrate any changes needed to the API wrapper during the beta.

[Benjamin Mark]

I am 1% percent of most inclusive in the region and would like to help.

[[violet]]

Thanks; first round access codes have gone out.

[Tim-Opolis]

As someone who extensively uses portions of the API, in particular the regional data dump as well as factors such as RSS feeds for manual triggering of R/D operations given that I like to play this game without the need of fancy scripts to automate it for me, I'd love to pick up a key so I can carry a more informed opinion on the potential implications of this update on the overall timing of liberation attempts as well as look into the general workings of update with this new update. If relevant, to supplement I think I've got a fair bit of stats in the Top 1% of the world and at least 1-2 #1 in the region (more if we add up my extensive number of alt. nations)

[Harenhime]

/worth a shot

EWSouls here. I have at least one top 1% in the world (hence the posting nation), experience messing with the dumps and some API shards, am with Tim on the whole "poking around to find non-automated ways to do things" bit as well, and I think most pressingly, like poking my head around in the guts and being useful while doing so, as evident by my time spent in Technical - specifcally, helping with the revised FAQ and my extensive work collecting, duplicating, and documenting bugs for NS++ (as seen most singularly here).

[Verborgenen Herrn]

Qualifications:

• just like Tim and EWS I often use the nation and region data dumps for manual and automated triggering; used RSS feeds until the Activity page came out

• wouldn't call myself a coder, but I've taken a few courses on the topic and I have a Java program that uses regexes to parse the dump files, if that counts

• being a raider I'm obviously quite concerned about issues not being tied to updates anymore (e.g. the whole "RSS Marker for Updates" discussion); so I'm interested in seeing how tag raids and update operations in general will be affected by the new system

• I've reported several game bugs and typos on another account/I'm sure that a few of my puppets are in the top 1% for something

• I think I have a unique perpective from which to evaluate this beta: I don't like updates. I'm still using the Century theme, and I always thought the Activity page presented far more hindrances than benefits to my play style. Regional Officers were generally a positive change, but they brought their own share of complications/limitations.

Tl;dr - in this beta I can be the voice of more backward-looking players who are not quick to embrace change. And you can be sure that I'll home in on anything that could potentially "break" current raiding/defending mechanics.

[Jute]

I have half a dozen World Top 1 % rankings and some regional #1 rankings, if that is sufficient, I'd like to participate, too!

[Minoa]

What if I say that my claim to fame is eight WA resolutions as Charlotte Ryberg (active but now archived), and the webmaster of NSindex?

[The United Island Tribes]

[violet], is there a private forum for us beta testers?

[Sedgistan]

Nope, but RMBs do the job (see: Testregionia).

[Kalti]

I would love to help test out the new features. My nation is in the top 1% for some rankings and I'd be able to help by finding / reporting on bugs and putting out periodic RMB summary posts.

[Todd McCloud]

If you need a feeder delegate / SC author guy, I can help out. I don't have stellar rankings though.

[Lord Ravenclaw]

Asking out of curiosity, does being #1 in the world for world assembly endorsement counts work as a claim to fame? *mutters about being second until he passed Paffnia*